The Northern Pacific farmer., 1881-08-04

ably did 1 succeed that Abe told me he
knew town-folks could be as spry as any.
body eff they'd try. And still greater
honor was in store for me. Atthe conclu-
sion of the cotillion the "orchestra" came
| en- masse and asked me to sling myself in q
Virginia reel with it. I saw by the manner
cf the beholders that it was considered g
great honor to dance with Mr.. Robinson.
Iwish could do jnstice to that reel!
The orchestra and stood up at the head of
the long line. Robinson called, the fiddle
screamed "Ole VirRinny never tire" How
we use. doed and threw ourselves away
How we balanced and swung and went up,
and down, and across and through all the
other intricacies Of that dance! How Robin
son screamed. stamped, sung and danced,
and then had time and thought enough
left to give my hand tender pressure
whenever he considered the exigencies of
the dance required it.
Some of the gentlemen grew SO warm
with the vigorous exercise that they took
off their coats and vests. Our fu my Sam
also removed his collar and cravat. He de-
clared it was sight hotter than Fourth
of July celebration, with the fireworks
thrown in. And he'd great mind to take
off his boots and 20 barefooted.
This witicism was received with great
enthusiasm. 1t also elected from his Dull
cinea the usual Now quit! Amt you
ashamed, Sam Hawkins?"
When the reel was concluded we sat
down, breathless, to supper. had the
honor of being led by MIR. Crockett to a
quiet nook behind the stove. To save room
the stove had been moved close to the win
dow, and the pipe was run through broken
pane of glass. There was a corner thus
cut off from the room. And in this COM
paratively retired spot We ate our supper:
The edibles consisted of ham, chicken,
doughnuts. and minco and pumpkin pies.
As a triangular piece. Of pie was passing
down Abe 8 throat he informed me (between
gulps) that Cheeseman had hired the
Widder Bateman and her daughter, Hammer
Mari, to come and bake for the shindiy.
That's Hammer Mari over there, he contin-
ued. pointing to dull, :iscontented. look
ing girl, who wore linsey gown and had a
strlcg of blue glass beads around her neck.
I had lost sight of our host for some
time, but he now made his appearance from
the kitchen, wearing the look of man who
had been taking nap. Abe told me conf
dently that there was liquid refreshment in
the shape Of a jug of whiskey in the barn:
But for his part he desired none of it; pie
was good enough for him.
Then he asked nae in an impressive man.
ner. Are you good pie baker?"
Before l had time to answer, Mr..
Cheeseman came up to us, rubbing his
hands with hospitable fervor.
pitch in, now, and eat like you was at
home. The heft of the vittles amt teched
yet, and on he went, chuckling with glee
to see how Hammer Mari's pies were rel
ished.
After Abe had eaten another pie or two
he took brown paper parcel flom his coat
pocket. This paper contained peppermint
drops and most atrocions lozenges, made
of plaster of paris, think; but the beauty
TO the latter were the eentences printed on
them in red letters. These sentences
we're all OF an amatory nature, and Abe
selected those with the tenderest senti-
ments and gave them to me with meaning
looks. The pies had probably warmed his
heart. One lozenge had inscribed on it:
''lf you love me as love you.
NO knife shall cut our love in two"
"Aint that so?" he asked, hitching his
| chair little nearer me. An answer from
me was unnecessary, for he handed me
! another abomination that read:
To live with me all the days Of your life?"
Now, could any one heart fail to be
touched by the beauty of that couplet? Mr..
Crockett thought not. He hitched his chair
still closer and leaned over me.
II am in dead earnest about that" said
he. When I first seen you tonight, I
says to myself, says, there's tho gail for
mo, allus would have the best in the mar
ket. Now amt such bad looking fellow
am I? And I've got hundred dollars in
the bank that uncle Eben left me; and pap
says whenever I get spliced he'll GIN me u
piece of land off'n his'n, and a nice yoke O.
oxen. lowed your folks would give you
a settin' out in bedclothes, dishes and sich
truck, won't they? Come now what dye
say?"
1 was struck speechless at this unexpect-
ed proposal. I could not find words to re-
ply. MIR Crocket evidently thought silence
gave consent; and think he would have
attempted the affectionate in another min
ute if Jim had not come to the rescue.
He was not pleased with the events of
toilet had not been without effect on him.
And as Abe had been her escort, and was
now playing the devoted to me, he thought
it was too much. He stalked over to us
and said: Abe Crockett you are playin'
smash keepin' this lady over here in the
corner. know she was tired listening to
your CAB half an hour ago"
l rose quietly to 90 with Jim, but Mr..
Crockett threw himself in q dramatic atti-
tude, and said to Jim: II reckon you'll let
her take her choice about goin' or stayin',
won't you?' And turning to me with the
most insinuating smile, "Now you choose
betwixt US, and don't you be afeared. I
amt goin' 10 low nobody to hurt ye." But
that choice made was to walk hastily away
with jim. did not even dare to glance
Abe.
Ones safely across the room, beside
Sary Jane, l breathed again. Robinson
was calling, "After-supper polky; trot out
your partners for an after supper polky."
AT the same time he walked toward me with
an air of
''See the conquering hero comes,"
violin in hand.
Il 'spose you'll be willin' to pace through
this polky with me, said he, with the con-
fdence Of man who cannot be refused. I
was just beginning to make some desperate
kind OF excuse, when Abe Crocket put in
an appearance.
I think this yer lady would prefer dano-
ing with me" he said very stifay.
THE dickens you do?" Robinson re-
Piled. "You air purity fgger for polky;
you air SO. Wish had q buzzom- pin and
q red cravat; maybe I could shine in society,
then" This last remark was addressed to
the crowd, and delivered with knowing
wink to the crowd.
Don't you give me nons of your sass,
Jake Robinson" was Abe's elegant 1ejoin-
der, ''or I'll break this old fiddle over your
head"
This was too much for Robinson, He
informed Abe that be could whip him and
his peternal relative Commonly called dad
@v\ 4AA Ia A. 3
nanny too. And if Mr.. Robinson had
ever been so unfortunate as to have heard
"Pinafore" he would undoubtedly have ad-
ded, his cousins aud bis aupts." But ~