The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-08-17

wished me to go with them. did not
intend to, but thought would go over
this morning and see them off,"
you know the train starts very
early, and expected to be back in time
they held to me, coaxing me to go with
them, until the train was going too
rapidly for me to get out, and of course
/ was carried to town and had DO wait
there until the return train, which, you
know, does not come out until near
noon"
This explanation was satisfactory to
all except joint was lie which he
had been working up all the forenoon
for this occasion. He felt bad over it,
yet it seemed fitting conclusion for
the blunders of the day how else
could he conceal what for the world he
would not have any one but himself
know?
That afternoon he was in anything
but good humor. In the bayfield, he
worked by himself as much rs possible.
He seemed to have special ill-feel-
ing toward his dogs; if one of them
came up to him, no matterhow friendly,
he was sure to get rap over the back
with the hay-fork that sent him away
bowling. The relationship that ex-
listed between Mary and the other John
was question that now troubled him.
Yesterday he was of the opinion that
he could have her for the asking, and
now it seemed evident that she already
belonged to some one. The loss, OF
the danger of losing her, made him
realize how much he loved her, and like
many another man under like circum.
stances, he was willing to overlook
defects.
Domestic abilities! |" said he. "What
do care about her domestic abilities I?
/ will have Mary Johnson if she doesn't
know enough to bake loaf of bread !"
That afternoon he made q resolution.
Tomorrow evening"" said he, Il
will go over and tell her frankly how
much / love her, and ask her to be
mine.
The next evening John drove up TO
Johnson's door Mary came out to
greet him. and gave him her usual
cordial welcome. After talking little
while she said, somewhat mischiev-
ously:
"By the way, John, you walked over
last time, did you not?"
mo, replied he, not comprehending
don't you remember, l rode old Char
ley?"
John could not muster courage to say
what he desired until leaving time. and
then, as they stood upon the porch. he,
with his arm about her waist, told his
love, and asked her to be his'wife.
John" she said in reply, "let me tell
you story:
Once upon a time there lived not
far from here gentleman and q lady.
The gentleman, who esteemed himself
q man of great prudence, was in love
with the lady, or at least his attentions
led her to believe so.
"But, before making o proposal, he
as man of prudence should've
solved to satisfy himself in regard to
her ability to conduct the affairs of
household; but, instead of trying to
obtain this information in an open,
manly way, he was foolish enough TO
try to obtain it in accordance with some
foolish advice, the like of which you
have seen, doubtless, in your fathers
newspaper"
"Yes," said John, his mind reverting
to the Champion Herald.
well, one morning he arose very
early, left his fathers house, crossed
meadow, came to cornfeld." Johns
arm relaxed, "then through barn. yard,
then came along by meadow fence,
went into some bushes near summer
kitchen"
Johns arm slid down by his side.
Don't Mary" said he. Il confess it
oil. But how did you find out?"
She told him, and gave her answer.
"Now," said she, II am angry with
you, and justly, / think. Though /
love you, 1 tell you plainly that you
have fallen i'll my estimation, and l
think you deserve some punishment.
In one year from now, if you do moth
ing to make me esteem you less than L
did before yesterday, if you come to me
with the same question, may answer
you more satisfactorily.
"A cruel sentence, but one L de-
serve said John, as he babe her good
night.
John is conducting himself properly,
and goes to Johnson's often, for he aud
Mary are the best of friends, and, were
the year expired, this story would end,
doubtless, rs such stories usually do.