The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-08-10
that Handkerchief.
BY SHELLBARK HICKORY.

Not long since, while travelling III n
Western State, happened to find my
self in the beautiful little town of
Humber, with few leisure hours on
hand.
As tho day was fine, strolled out to
see what was to be seen. As l was
leisurely advancing down one of the
shady streets, whom should L meet but
my old friend and class-mate, Jake
Raymond.
well. well, well, old boy, how goes
it," he exclaimed, as he shook hands
with me.
"Youl" answered. "Of all men on
the footstooll What in creation are
you up to, away off here?"
Here is where hold forth, and you
must go down home with me-"
l vent, and at dinner was introduced
to Mrs. Raymond. She was not what
would be called handsome woman,
but there was wholesome look in her
face, and her big brown eyes and white
teeth, added to the bright color of her
cheeks and the satiny smoothness of
her dark hair, fairly entitled her, in the
opinion of some, to a certain degree OF
beauty.
Jake was not wealthy, but he had a
comfortable home, and the neatness of
the house and yard, together with the
trimness of his wife's attire, added not
little TO his enjoyment of this worlds
goods.
sMrs. II. welcomed me cordially to
their home, and l enjoyed more than /
can express, the well-cooked meal, pre-
pared by her own skill, and their genial
society.
The sprightly conversation of my
friends help-meet, and her infectious
smile, completely won my regard; and
smothered little sigh as l reflected
on my own condition-that of q bache-
lor.
where did you get her, Jake?" /
asked, as we Fit our cigars and walked
down town.
He smiled in dreamy kind of way,
as he thumped the ashes from the end
of his cigar.
at is a long story" he said. 81 will
tell it to you when we get TO the office.
was much pleased, for, beside be-
ing interested in the woman, used to
like very much to listen to Jake's
stories"
Arriving ut the Office, we made our
selves comfortable, after which Jake
began:
When / was jour in the Office of
Shears 81 Clipper, in the town of
Coyel, in State further east than this,
/ belonged TO an orchestra and to a
brass band. l tummed tho festive
guitar in the former, and thereby hangs
tale. You shall see how my member
ship in the latter also served its turn.
SO much for myself.
/ had friend, John Simons, who
was also IA music-man, and it was he
who guided my unaccustomed hand to
finger the guitar.
enjoyed his society more than that
of any OF my other friends, but he was
restless fellow, that was not satisfied
III any place long, SO he packed his
grip and left, much to my regret A
few months passed. when 10! John
turned up again. He had not been do
ing anything; only wandering to suit
his own gypsy taste, and had even sold
the guitar that he so loved to get
money to come back on. This being
the case, no went short distance into
tho country and went TO work for a
farmer-for he was proud as Lucifer,
and would not stay around town in his
shabby clothes. His idea was to stay
In the country until he got himself a
littlo fixed in regard to his wardrobe
and his finances, and then go back to
town and take his old situation, which
was open to him il he chose to accept
it.
Now it happened that the farmer
for whom he worked had q young
neighbor lately married, and he took q
violent fancy to John. The young
farmer was very proud of his wife and
baby, and was not ut all averse to com
pany. John was shy fellow in the
presence of ladies, and was slow to nc
oopt the frequent and pressing invita-
tions which Mr.. Newman (for that was
his nameJ gave him to "come over" But
when he learned that Mrs. New.
mans niece from q neighboring State
was there. with a guitar, he mustered
up courage and went, for his fingers
ached to caress once more the vibrat
ing strings of q guitar. He found Miss
May Warner, the niece before men
toned, most agreeable young lady
but l don't believe he could have tod
what she looked like for I'm sure h,
did not once look at her face, except II
snatch a hasty glance when he was sur,
she would not see him. He observed
narrowly, however, neatly-slipperet
foot which peeped from beneath he
dress; and you are aware, probabl.
from experience, that pretty foot i
almost as essential TO a lady's appear
ance as a pretty face. But better thar
her soci ,ty he found that OF her guitar
With that instrument in his arms h
seemed TO feel quite at ease, nn'
played aocompanimentst his own sing
Ing the whole evening.