The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-08-24

PrOvlOu0 W VIC OpOuLuB VI OuI bVOxy
Richard Whitney died, leaving an only
son, Randall. The young man was not
aware of the existence of Ethel Dean,
much less of the plan talked over by
his father and John Morton, to have
him marry the young lady some time
in the future, Randall had succeeded
his father in business, and one summer,
weary OF the ceasless round of care,
tired of the heat and confusion of the
city, he remembered the promise he had
made to visit Uncle Morton, and he de-
termined to spend few weeks ut the
farmhouse. All needful preparations
were completed, and he was on the eve
of starting, when Mr.. Morton's letter
was resolved.
"Heigh-h no said he, when he had read
the characteristic epistle through twice.
1.-THE poor old man does not have very
pleasant home. I'll wager. From the
sum of his letter, imagine Miss Ethel
Dean to be q Grabbed old maid, who, to
use slang phrase, "'runs the rancho. T"
So he sent an immediate reply to Mr..
Morton's letter, stating that it would
suit him just as well to make the prom
ised UiSit later In the season, and he
had found young man that he hoped
would suit MIR. Morton. He could
recommend the young fellow as being
trusty and OF respectable family, and he
would be on hand some time during the
next week.
Randall Whitney's letter was received
at the Morton farmhouse on Tuesday,
and on Thursday of the next week, as
Ethel was busy in the front-yard tying
up refractory rose-bush, the click of
the gate warned her of the approach of
some one "Well. / wonder what he
has got to sell, for of course he is agent
for something or another" was the
girls thought as a young man dressed
in a serviceable suit of dark-gray and
carrying a valise came up the flower
bordered path.
as this where Mr.. Morton lives ?"
asked the stranger, lifting his broad
trimmed straw hat, and bowling with the
graceful ease that comes only with true
politeness.
"Yes, sir" answered Ethel, stepping
down from the elevated position on the
three-legged stool; you will find Mr..
Morton sitting on the piazza"
thanks, and the young man, with
look of evident admiration of the
of the sweet face hal f-hidden in the
depths of capcaious sun-bonnet, took
his way in the direction of Uncle Nor
ton.
Busy with her work Ethel had almost
forgotten the presence of stranger at
the house, when she heard her uncle
calling to her. Now, what's wanting"
said she to herself, as half petulantly
she dropped her pruning shears and
ball OF Irvine "My opinion on some
wonderful labor-saving invention, ex-
pect.' But no sample in miniature of
washing machine, or automatic bar
rel churn, no self-operating wringer, or
double-reversible back acknowledging
ironing-board met her gaze. Only the
gentlemanly-appearing young man,
quietly talking to her Uncle Morton.
Ethel, this is the young man Mr..
Whitney spoke of in his letter, my
niece, Ethel Dean, Mr. Fields" A sur
prised, incredulous look flashed, for a
moment, across the strangers hand
some face, then his polite, deferentiai
bow was returned by one equally polite
from Ethel. "Now, grille" this was
Uncle Mortons pet name for Ethel,
shave Katy show Mr.. Fields to his
room, as | know he must be tired with
two days of steady travel on the cars.
After supper Ned will drive over to the
station. and fetch your trunk" When
the young man had gene to his room
Ethel joined her uncle on the piazza.
"Why, uncle, Mr.. Fields is gentleman;
what possesses him to hire out as COM
mon farm hand? 2"
well, his health is not very good,
and he was advised to spend the sum-
mer in the country, taking plenty of
exercise. When Whitney told him that
1 was in need of man to drive to and
from the cheese-factory, the thought
struck him that here he could enjoy
country air, have an abundance of
healthy exercise, and turn on honest
penny in the bargain
"But what can he do, uncle, if he is
in such poor health?"
"That remains to be seen, for now
that he is here am under obligations
w SlNO illill Inc Ills dD-
pearance very we'll; he seems 80 thor
oughly frank and outspoken."
And so thought Ethel when the young
man came down to supper. Sidney
Fields was not what one would call
really handsome man, yet there was
that suggested mental cult
ure and wide and varied knowledge of
life. His was frank open face, though
with proud, firm lines; face that once
seen was not easily forgotten. A look
of pleased surprise fitted across his
countenance when he en-
tered the cool, wide kitchen where the
evening meal was served. The table
was spread with snowy cloth, on which
was placed a most inviting repast.
Sweet yellow butter and fresh rolls,
strawberries, and q pitcher of richest
cream, a crystal dish of amber-colored
jelly, potatoes, eggs, doughnuts, fra
grant tea, and large pitcher of milk
for any who wish it, A pretty set of
plain white china, silver knives and
forks, and the whitest of white napkins.
When about II Ethel had attended an
excellent boarding-school for two years,
and the duty of Clearly and beautiful
living had been strongly impressed on