The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-12-22
TIE FROZEN NOSE THAT WON A
WIDOW.
by A. ST. JOHN.
A Christmas sketch.

by A. ST. JOHN.
A beautiful winter night cold, clear
snd cutting {; cleaning with myriads Of
frost fakes, which shone in the air
sparkled on the house-tops and danced
everywhere I; and lighted by that grea,
host of scintillating stars, which twinkled
their happiest wrinkles and seemed bub
bling over with merriment because il
WINS Christmas eve. A spirit of brisk
good humor pervaded every animate
thug. The policeman, buttoned to the
chin, paraded his beat with martial air,
on quick time, pausing only to exchange
friendly word with the girl who at.
tended the peanut stand or to warm his
hands at her charcoal furnace. The very
hack-horses switched their tails in glee
aud cantered off at brisker gait, while
the driver whistled his iveliest tune.
A throng of beautiful purchasers crowded
the streets, jostling one another good
na'ursdly, and bobbing in and out of toy
shops and confectionaries, burdened
viii great packages OF Christmas goods.
We follow only two-a pair of genial
gentlemen, who threaded their way, arm
ir-,rm, with much difficulty. Bearing
no bundles to indicate that they had
been shopping, it was still apparent to
the practiced observer that they had
been spending their money freely and
investing literally at the numerous bar
rooms which came in their way. There
was that suggestive disconnection in
their conversation, and that suspicious
unsteadihess in their walk. and that
abundant caution exercised in crossing
streets, which betray the convivialist in
spite of all his efforts. Rather para
doxically, the farther these cronies ad-
vanced the less progress they made, as
their difficulties of locomotion increased
at every step, and they found it neces-
sary to make frequent halts in friendly
oohee-houses, in order to rest their weary
limbs, warm their benumbed fingers and
sample the excellent egg-nog with which
they were continually tempted.
It's long ways between saloons I"
seemed to be the burden of their re-
marks. which, indeed, was but a slight
variation In words, and none at all in eff
feet, from that famous observation made
by the Governor of North Carolina to
the Governor of South Carolina, to-wit /:
ITS a long time between drinks"
Finally. however, they visited their last
saloon and dispatched their last glass of
egg-nog, after which, with their arms
twined most affectionately about each
other. they turned down Longworth
street in search of their lodgings.
Sad TO relate, they had arrived at that
period Ill the state of intoxication when
we may safely say they we're fuddled, or
ii the expression is more forcible-
most wofully drunk, and, being unaccus-
toned to this condition, the finding of
their place of abode was a task of great
or magnitude than one would suppose.
Through pluck, perseverance, or good
inok, however, they at last found them
selves gazing stupidity upon tin sign
inscribed Private Boarding" tackled
upon house which they agreed, after a
heated debate, was their own. Thew
iumbled a long time at the key.hole be-
lore effecting an entrance, and then.
with many maudlin good-nigbts in the
hall, they sought their respective apart
ments and beds. "f''''
Tucked away between her warm blank.