The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-08-30

at hope I won't meet the porsessor Of
such an exquisite voice." tsfs1eFi1a
"What an absurd fellow you are
whya" asked Will, blowing a long
cnrl OF smoke out of the window.
"Oh, because, If she's pretty, / feel as
if 1 should fall in love with her." Will
WINGED at this betrayal of weakness.
"Pshaw Wollmerath, don't talk like
an idiot. Ten to one she's an ugly old
wretch, with sunken jaws, with powder
enough OH her face to last Lord Chief
Justices wig for six months"
81 almost hope she is" returned,
"f for then my heart won't run such a
chance of being captured"
"You're a consummate fool, Volume
rath," was the fattering encomium OF
my friend Phillips.
'"Sorry you think SO, WILL" said;
"but fool or no fool, if that's q pretty,
young girl, / wouldn't give sixpence for
your own chances of retaining your
bachelor notions much longer, Willie
Phillips"
1 leaned forward, smiling, to catch
glimpse of his expression in the dim
light. A naughty curl was on his lip,
and O. look of scorn was in his blue eyes,
which disappeared with ludicrous
rapidity as he observed l was railying
him.
"Ah Frank, no fear of that" he
said, "you and are too jolly together
to care about pretty girls, however fas.
cinating-else we'd have been married
long ago."
al begin to think 80, WILL" re-
turned, "and, upon my word, often
wonder how fellow like you, upon
whom scores of designing mammals have
had their envious eyes, was never
caught" ECU -tso
az was just going to make the same
remark about you," said Will, With q
laugh, as he stroked his handsome mus
tache.
SIT seems to me we're couple of ex-
tremely clever fellows. 1 answered, ris-
ing.
"We're a couple of extremely lucky
fellows, at any rate, to have safely es-
capped all the snares and destinations
laid for u.s." returned Phillips, shrug.
ing his broad shoulders, and looking the
personifcation of happy bachelordom
|
matrimonial notions. But what say
you to bit of supper, old boy y? it il
getting late" la-
l agreed, and we both descended t.
the dining-room. Mrs. Martin, the
worthy housekeeper, had lit fire il
honor of Our arrival, and the dying EN-
bers now cast dark-red glow on the
walls, making a decidedly comfortable
appearance, notwithstanding it was q
fine autumn night. When we turned NJ
the gas, a cozy little supper laid out fol
two was displayed, and the wine ani
fruit we had been using at dinner still
stood on the sideboard. Never were
there two happier, jollier, or more anna
BILE bachelors than Phillips ard thai
night, as we sat chatting over our wal
nuts and claret and laying out oul
schemes of enjoyment, until the small
hours warned lis that it was high tim,
we were in the primary enjoyment o.
sleep.
Goodnight, Will" said at last, az
we separated for our respective rooms
Good-morning, rather" echoed
Will, as he shut his door "and I hope
the ghost of Robin Gray won't disturb
your slumbers.
A sharp tap on the bedroom door
and the familiar {" Holloa, old boy I" o.
Will outside, awoke me from one of the
most delightful and refreshing sleeps ]
had enjoyed for a long time. TO say the
least of it, felt fierce to be thus awak
ened. "Confound you, Phillips"
shouted, "What do you want? Be off 7
SECT up, old boy, get up; if you're
not out of bed before I count ten, you
shall have no breakfast. One-two-
three"
The threat was too awful to be antici
pated, and, before he had completed the
given number, / had unlocked the door
for him. He came in with merry look
in his blue eyes, and, throwing himself
down on the bed had so unwillingly
vacated, began kicking the white coun.
terpane with his dirty boots.
"Will, man, look what you're do
ing" 1 said, pointing to mud-splasl
on the clean linen. Mrs. Martin will
think tumbled into bed last night in
the disreputable condition of not know.
ing very well what 1 was about"
"Just tell her ] did it, Frank. and
ohO II OO uCiiSlOCo W pun Ou u lTeSD
counterpane, am sure. But do you
know what I was doing this morning
while you were driving your pigs to mar.
ket %
Feeding the chickens, probably" ]
answered, feeling cross at Wills good
humor.
"Guess again." said he, laughing.
ono; if you don't choose to tell me,
my curiosity will watt" returned, as i
arranged my necktie.
"Well, then, I've been getting on
good terms with Mrs. Martin, and find
ing out who our friends of musical re-
pute are next door,"
"The dickens you have!" I ejacu-
lated, pausing in the adjustment of my
shirt-stud. Will nodded, his blue eyes
fairly dancing with merriment. "And
the result of your inquiries is"
"That the household consists of a
Col Summer, his wife and daughter"
els that all you know about them p
1 asked, somewhat disappointed at the
meagerness Of the details, as / put the
| finishing touches to nv toilet.