The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-10-04
"Ohi I scarcely like,

"You must, my dear fellow, you must.
Not to acknowledge this brilliant re-
ception would stamp you at once as a
churl."
The young fellows color rose. He
was as shy and sensitive as girl, but
rather than appear ungrateful he would
have gone through any ordeal, and pres
ently-ohl dear, l can see it now-he
was stepping out on the scarlet cloth
and bowling graciously to his right hand
and his left.
No need for us to wink and nod be-
hind his back. 1t was understood that
butt was being brought into the COM
munity. The bows were gravely re-
turned; and as, like an honorable body
guard, we formed round the newcomer
to escort him to his hotel, the crowd that
had gathered to receive him fell into
procession behind u.s.
1t was the cold season, and we called
on him the next morning to take him
for a ride. He was full of his pleasant
reception, and anxious TO become per-
sonally acquainted with those who had
so interested themselves in him.
"Oh! you'll know them soon enough"
my friend said. Shouldn't wonder if
you find, when you go back, that half
the community has been calling on YOU"
And sure enough, when we returned
there was his table heaped high with
visiting cards. His eyes glistened
"I've heard that people abroad were
hospitable," he said, "but, upon my
word, this kind of thing I didn't ex-
pect."
My friend glanced over the heap of
cards.
"Ah!" he said, "The most influential
names. They don't often call on new
corners. l suppose you impressed them
favorably yesterday. Sharp set of fell
lows, too! You had better lose no time
in returning their civility."
81 will make my return calls this
afternoon" he said warmly. "Can you
give me an idea of the addresses"
"No need. Everybody knows every
body here. You have only to ask. L
wish l could accompany you, but L shall
be busy this afternoon"
so shall l." said /, "but we will
look in upon you later"
ooh and stay to dinner, do" replied
our young friend, and we readily agreed.
To one of us, as it happened, the of
fer of dinner was not a thing to be
lightly treated.
We were not surprised when, at the
proper hour, we made our appearance,
to see the young newcomer look weary
and depressed. He frightened when he
saw u.s.
$50 kind of you to GOMEZ he said.
And presently :" Either 1 must be
stupid at understanding directions, or
everybody does not know everybody i'll
your settlement Such a wild-goose
chase as l have had this afternoonp
WHAT cried my friend with we'll
assumed surprise. "You didn't find
them?' And his voice so clearly COM
mented, You must be a foolish fell
low" that the young mans color rose.
" l must have another try" he said.
But was not this strange? / showed
one of the names to a member of your
police force. He directed me to the
road leading out of the settlement, and
/ walked on for about an hour, expect
ing of course to reach some house. All
at once L found myself at the cemetery"
My friend laughed. "That man was
a wag; not a doubt of it, However,
wait few days till you know the place
better"
As you may have guessed, more than
half the cards, dropped by our orders
at the young mans door, bore the names
of men either dead or departed. But a
long time passed before he found this
out; he might never have found it out
at all, but for-however, must not an
ticipate.
To give in detail the practical jokes
we played on our newcomer would be
impossible. One must tell you, for it
very nearly had tragic ending
Two or three of us had started with
him on a shooting trip up the river. 1t
had pleased one of us, his first friend,
to feign deep melancholy, from which
our newcomer sought in vain to rouse
him. The young fellow spoke to me in
private on the subject. "Our friend, "
he said, ought to be watched. Men
in his state of mind have been known
to do strange things" ], of course, en-
couraged his fear. We were neither of
us then much surprised when, one even
ing, the melancholy man, after hastily
wringing our hands and murmuring
that ait could be borne no longer,
leaped into the river. What followed
helped me afterward to understand the
sequel of this story. Without a mo-
, ment's hesitation that brave young fell
low threw off his coat and boots, and
, dived after his friend. He was not q
strong swimmer, however, and that little
trick was near being our last. When
we fished him up he was half drowned.
: He rose in our estimation from that
, moment, though it was not III the ma
ture of things that we could give up our
, diversion, and we were still plotting
against his peace when hazard called
me away from our settlement to little
/ place at some distance. went will.
J ingly, for the house at which L was to
be entertained was presided over by a
young lady whom it always gave me
, great pleasure to meet. She was the
, daughter of the merchant 1 went to see
bright, clever and intelligent girl, and
to my taste peculiarly handsome. 1t had
, struck me, moreover-no harm in con
2 Tossing it now; there is an age, you
know, when we read volumes in smile