The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-05
ARACE FOR A SWEETHEART.

ARACE FOR A SWEETHEAT.
Hardly any event creates stronger
sensation in a thinly settled New En-
gland village, especially among the
young folks, than the arrival Of fresh
and blooming miss, who mes to max
her abode in the neighborhood. When
therefore, Squire Johnson, the only lave
yer in the place, and very respectable
man of course, told Farmer Jones one
afternoon that his wife's sister, smart
girl of eighteen, was coming in a few
days to reside in his family, the news
flew like wildire through Pond village.
and WAS the principal topic of converse
ton for week. Pond village is situated
upon the margin of one of those beauti-
full sheets of water that gem the whole
surface Of New England, like the bright
stars IN an evening sky, and received Its
appellation to distinguish it from two or
three other villages in that town, which
could not boast of similar location.
When Farmer Jones came IN to his sup
per about sunset that afternoon, and took
his seat at the table, the eyes of the
whole family were upon him, for there
was kind OF a peculiar working about his
mouth and knowing glance Of his eye
that always told when he had something
of interest to communicate. But Farmer
Jones secretiveness was large, and his
temperament not the most active, and
he would PROBABLY have rolled the i'm
portant secret as a sweet morsel under
his tongue tor long time, had not Mrs.
Jones, who was of rather an impatient
and prying turn Of mind, contrived to
draw it from him.
"Now, Mr.. JONES' said she, as she
handed him a cup of tea, "what is it you
are gong to say? Do out with 1t; for
you've been chawing something or other
over in your mind ever since you came
into the house,
Its my tobacker, s'pose," said Mr..
Jones, with another knowing glance Of
his eye.
"Now father, what is the use?" said
Susan; eve all know you've got some
thing or other you want to say, and why
can't you tell us what it's
"La, who cares what 'tis?" said Mrs.
Jones, 'if it was anything worth telling,
we shouldn't have to wait for it, I dare
say"
Hereupon Mrs. Jones assumed an air
of the utmost Indifference, as the surest
way Of conquering what she was pleased
to call Mr.. Jones obstinacy, which by the
way was very improper term to apply
in the case, for it was purely the working
of secretiveness without the least particle
of obstinacy attached to it.
There was a pause of two or three min
utes in conversation, till Mr. Jones passed
his cup to be filed second time, when
with couple Of preparatory hens, he
began to let out the secret.
I'VE are to have a new neighbor here
in a few days." said Mr. Jones, stopping
short when he had uttered thus much
and slipping his tea and filling his mouth
with food.
Mrs. Jones, who was perfect in her tao
tics, said not q word, but attended to thu
affairs of the table, as though she hat
not noticed what was said. The farmer
secretiveness had at last worked itsel
out, and he began again:
esquire Johnson's wife's sister is com
ing here in few days, and is going t.
live with EN-"
The news being thus fairly divuiged, i
left free scope for conversation.
well, wonder if she is proud, stuc]
up piece" said Mrs. Jones.
ii shouldn't think she would be-" sail
Susan, 'sfor there amt a more sociabl
woman in the neighborhood than Mis-
johnson. So if she is at all like her sis
ter think we will like her."
II wonder how old she ISL" said Ste
phen, who was just verging toward tn
close of his twenty first year.
''The Squire calls he2 eighteen" sal
Mr.. Jones, giving wink to his wife, a
much as to say that's about the right az
for Stephen.
81 wonder ii she is handsome" sal
Susan, who was somewhat vain of he
looks, and having been sort of reignin
belle in Pond village for some time, fe
little alarmed at the idea of rival.
I dare be bou1 d she's handsome" sal
Mrs. Jones, ''if she's sister to Mis- Johr
son; for whcre'll you find a handsome
woman than Mis- johnson, go the tow
through2" r.a'
After supper Stephen went aown
Mr.. Robinson's store, and told the new
to young Charles Robinson and all III
young fellows who were gathered the
for agame Of quoits and ring atwrestlin
And Susan went directly over to M
Beams and told Patty, and Patty wei
round to the Widow Davis and told Sal
and before nine o'clock the matter WI
pretty we'll understood in about evel
house in the village. ..a-.-
After the close of the fourth day, i
tie before sunset, chaise was seen
drive up to Squire Johnson's door. {
q. s..> r.. ..<- ." -'5 .'''"f