Little Falls transcript., 1879-09-04
TOBIAS JONES' MATCHMAKING
BY 8. A. NJ. MOSS.

And sang her lullaby.
TOBIAS JONES' MATCHMAKING
BY g. A. NJ. MOSS.
II say said Tobias Jones, bringing
down his list on the dinner-table with an
emphasis which caused the bottles in Mrs
Tobias new castor to rattle together ON.
inously, ~ say, wife, I have it now"
"Have what2" asked Mrs. Tobias.
"Why an idea, a splendid idea-that
is to say, a plan. You willssurely get an
invitation to Wedding. Belinda, before
the winter is ended, Or my name is not
Tobias jones'
What. whos wherr9n asked Mrs. Jones
~ am thankful something is going to
happen; I've stayed at home until l. am
tired, AMI my clothes are getting out OF
fashion,
IF wearing good clothes keeps them
in fashion, you might wear them here at
home,'' suggested her husband
"That's just the way with you men,
said Mrs. Jones; you expect us to wear
our best clothes at all times and in all
places, and yet always have them look
new and fashionable. But who is going
to be married2"
"Well, YOU sec it amt !. set
tied fact yet, but it might as well
be, for if Squire Chase and Widow Hook.
er should happen to meet, it's my opinion
they would make a match Of it; and" be
added, as he noticed his wifc's heightened
face, II think you had better send for
them both to conc here to tea tomorrow
night. We have no children, you know,
and you ought to have things in apple
pie order all the time
"Children!" exclaimed Mrs. Tobias.
You talk us if folks who havn't children
don't have any thing to do. For my part,
think work full as hald and have tull
as much trouble as any OF my neighbors
who have children. However, I don't
care how many you invite t. tea; I'll have
enough for them to cat; but don't think
you'll make match for Squire Chase,
for know you won't"
"Wcll,' said Tobias, ''you take Dobbin
and drive over and get the widow, and I
will take care that the squire is here all
right; and, mind you, Belinda, if they are
not married before the winter is over,
will give you a new dress and if they are,
you shall buy me pound of tobacco
"Agrccd,' said Mrs. Jones, "provided
YOU bring about the match"
Just at sunset Squire Chase was reap.
ing in the field near the road, when, hap
pcniny to look up, he saw his friend Jones
leaning over the fence.
"Good evening Jones.
Good evening, squire. just called
over to say that my wife is going to have
company to tea tomorrow night, and she
wants YOU to come over and make one of
u.s."
"Much obliged, neigbor, but I don't
know about it. I've got to reap all this
field tomorrow. If get done in season.
perhaps I'll come, but don't look for me.
who arc you going to hare--any strang-
ers7"
'Well, yes, Widow Hooker is stranger
to you, I suppose, though my wife has
known her tor years, and sets sight by
her. She lives over to the north part of
the town. presume you have heard of
her often enough
ayes, have heard of her, sure, said the
Squire. 81 suppose she's the woman that
owns the big meadow farm called the
Ox-bow, and manages it all by herself"
Right" said Jones; and, thinking to
make things better. he added, ~ know
you would like her, Squire, for most
every body does.''
II don't much admire women folk 5
who try to take the places that belong by
rigot to men, said the Squire, positively.
"Here, Silas,'' lie called to the youngest
son, who had just returned from the pas
turc with the COWS, "did you sec the
hrindlcd OK to-l,ight?"
"N6, father; hunted and hunted for
him, but he is gone, surc.''
"Hang the luck! That's just the way
with that brindle; he never jumps unless
the feed begins to get short, and then he's
off for better quarters. l calculated to
turn him into fall feed Tomorrow
When Mr.. Jones arrived home, he found
that Mr.. Ellis had been to hire hun
lred dollars Of him for short time, and
rs he had some money ON hand, and Mr..
Ellis was considered good for a thousand
or two, he concluded to let him have the
money. Harvesting his horse, he started
for the house of Mr.. Ellis.
Now this house was not far from Mrs.
Hookers, and as Tobias was driving leis-
urely along about two miles from home,
what should he see grazing by the road
side but Squire Chase's brindle OK. There
was no mistaking the animal, for there
wasn't better nor handsomer one to be
found anywhere for miles around.
'Its a shame to leave that OK to run
off, said Mr.. Jones to himself, "and if 1
was gong right home I'd drive him along;
but I'm not, and by the time get back,
he will be gone. Ihayc itr' he .exclaim-
cd, as new idea seemed to enter his
brain. "I'll Just let down the bars and
let him into Mrs.. Hookcr's west field
The field has been cleared these ten days,
and she'll never know but he jumped in,
and it may save the Squire a heap Of
trouble So he drove the OK along fol
about threc.qualters Of mile. and
turned him into the field; then, after
leaving the money at Ellis's, he went
home, we'll pleased with himself and the
world generally.
Squire Chase was not at the tea party
for he was fully determined not to b.
the victim Of a made match, and he .rath
er suspected that one was in progress il
the Jones family.
The next morning MIR. Jones raped a
the Squire's back door just Us the famil,
were at breakfast.
''I-tlought I'd ruin over and let yo.
know where your brindlc on is. Mrs
Hooker says there was one got into he
west farm yesterday, and she presume
it's yous." p, 60
"Much obliged, neighbor Jones: II
go right over afterb breakfast, or send Ned.
But Ned, like most boys of sixteen, wa
shyof old maids and strange widows
and steadily refused to go;.s" the s4uir
himself went. u r. ~.
Widow Hooker was making cheese. |
was late for cheese making, but she al
ways makes one or two fall cheeses. Th'
door was vide open, but she did not SCI
Squire Chase come up the flower-border
ed walk; the first she knew of his presenc,
was the exclamation; ;a- r.3.
.'Why, Polly Wiggin! This, is tn,
greatest surprise ever 'hadv' and ther,