The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-02-16
One saturday.

"At what time shall we start, Harry"
"Shall we meet at your house, Bessie ?"
Say, Hal, did you say your Uncle Ben
would come for us with his large wagon?'
4 "Shall we go round the hill or over 1t 2"
Such were the questions eagerly asked
by merry group of children, Just dis
missed from school, one beautiful Octo-
Der Friday.
At noon that day Harry Browns older
sister, Helen, had suggested that nut
ting party be arranged for the morrow,
and, the days being so warm and bright,
that they should their lunches and
have one more picnic before winter.
Harry and Bessie were of course de-
lighted with the plan, and started for
school early in order to have time to in
vite all the boys and girls of their class.
Just as they were going ont the gate
they met their Uncle Ben, and in min
ute he knew all their plan. Now, We
should have thought Uncle Ben old, but
his heart was young as ever "Oh,
dear. wish l belonged to your class,
he said, making believe he felt very sad
about it.
ooh, Uncle Ben, do come. They all
would like it, know and then you tell
"No, thank YOU. / have business out
of town for the forenoon, but in the
afternoon shall be out by the chestnut
grove with my large wagon, and will
give you all a ride home If you like"
You dear, good Uncle Ben that will
make our fun perfect. L do believe, said
enthusiastic Bess.
The afternoon seemed long, and their
4 L Al,, nI,e,
groves, about which they were studying,
to the chestnut grove over the hill but
the bell for dismission finally rang, and
after merry discussion of ways and
means for the morrow they separated.
Morning came, but to the dismay of all
it was raining fast, while every now and
then sharp gust of wind whirled the
fading leaves from the trees. Every
thing promised dreary day, and, even if
it should brighten up, the woods would
be too damp for picnic.
Harry and Bessie came down stairs
looking very forlorn, and feeling wofully
disappointed. Bessie stood by the win
dow awhile, and finally declared that it
was never pleasant If she wanted good
time, and that her fun was always
spoiled. While Harry, with a martyr
like air, performed the double duties Just
then belonging to him, for his father and
mother had gone to the Centennial.
Helen was sorry for the children, but
told them to be patient, and see if the
day would not bring something good.
After the silent breakfast Harry and
Bessie commenced their usual Saturday
tasks with rather an ungracious manner.
After finishing them they found the rain
had ceased, although the clouds were as
dark as ever. For time they wandered
aimlessly about, and suddenly, i'll almost
the same BREATH they cried:
"Oh, Helen, what shall we do?"
"Well, Harry, was just thinking, if
You wish, you might ask your little
friends to bring their picnic baskets and
try an indoor picnic in our great attic. y
Harry needed no urging, and in an
hour all the children were there. The
baskets were given into Helen's care,
then she showed the way to the large,
roomy attic, which was well lighted. AS
she left the children, she proposed they
call the attic their village, while they
should be the people living there; but
soon loud voices called her up stairs, and
she found them disagreeing sadly.
"Come, come, children, this will never
dol think you would better choose q
Mayor to take charge of affairs, as they
do in cities. Surprising we have this
box for ballot-box, and let each one
vote. then the one who has the largest
number of votes shall have the office"
Harry brought pencil and paper, ant
the votes were quickly written, and soor
Helen. who was always a great favorite
much to her surprise, found hersel
elected.
"This shall be my Office" she said
taking chair by one of the windows
"and I think will be lawyer, too, an,
all difficulties can be brought to me TO
settlement. Now, don't you think
would be well to name our little villag
Salemville-the village of peace" sh
added, with meaning look at the nov
happy group before her.
Ali liked this, and went eagerly
their play but in few moments tn
complaint came that some were takin
more than their share of room.
"Then / must survey the village,
said Helen.
Taking a piece of crayon, she Dire,
two lines from one end of tn
attic to the other, making them four fee
"This shall be the village street" sh
said. Now we are fourteen, so seve
can live one side the street and seve
the other. and, as the attic is forty-tv
feet long, how much room can you eac
have 2"
"Six feet" answered chorus
voices.
Yes, your lots would be six fe
front, as men would say, and from Il
street back
All were satisfied with Helens d
cision, and rapidly affairs assumed
business-like air. Packed away in box
and chests were ungazines, old pla
Kings, and clothing, with which Nh