Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-02-20
An Un-Common Sense Match


The weather bad been very cold
even for January. For days nobody
had stirred out unless compelled by
necessity, and, I've no doubt, our dear
mother had longed many times for a
change which would allow her noisy
children 10 exercise their lungs and
mussles out Of doors.
At last the change came. During
the forenoon the thermometer Indicated
rising temperature, and about midday
the old woman up in the sky began
emptying her feather beds.'
Thick and tast the downy snow flakes
fell, wrapping every tree aud shrub in
garment of pure white and making
even the stake and rider fences, the
log barns and corn-cribs, things OF
beauty which were too truly Joys not
to last forever
Hastily we children were clad 10
coats, cloaKs. scarfs, mittens, and All
that paraphernalia OF outer garments
which loving mothers provide and insist
on being worn, despite the protests OF
the wearers.
At last we were free aud out upon
hill GEAR by. where there was grand
sport. shding, snowballing, and max
Ing snow men.
The afternoon slipped quickly by'
the snow ceased falling, and the even
ing was settling down clear aud cold,
when upon the opposite hilltop :here
came in sight farmers box sleigh.
drawn by a span of bay horses
Hastily We drove our sleds to the foot
of The bill end reached it just IN time
Tor 'bitch.'
The driver of this establishment was
nowise visible.
Tie hand which guided the team
seemed not a hand but huge wad o.
buckskin and yam, and it proceeded
from a tower of bed quilts, blankets.
buffalo-robes, comforters, surmonn;ed
by head-pece enveloped in a green
and red Bay State shawl. There was
a little crack undoubtedly left for the
ewes, but no eyes could be seen by us
| Edging around very little, but pro-
baby as much as circumstances coult
allow, the roll of dry goods and fuIs To-
ouired if 'Yon house was Square
. Black'sT
We replied affirmative!y, and settled
down TO the enjoyment Of ride to ou
: own door, during which we exchanged
r whispered speculations as to whom the
stranger might be.
When the sled stopped COMMITTEE
I. of us reported the arrival at the hous
;. while the remainder watched the tylnI
and blanketing of the horses and thel
formed voluntary escort.
In answer 10 mufied rap fathe
: opened the door.
Squire Black, suppose?'
Yes, cir come in. Getting quit
y cold outside, said my father, eying hi
4 guest curlously.
We'll, yes, we've had fearful spe
Of weather. and I've been on the roa
for the last two days OF it. 1 see 20
don't know me, 'Soulre, and swal
nv ewes were so full O. frost l hardl
knew YOU; but 1 reckon you'll Sc
who l am when l get this toggery of
=. From the moment our visitor ha
=, stepped inside he had been engaged i
Iuuwrapping one garment after another
nrocess for all the world like peehu
an onion.
At last there stood revealed Jeun
man of four or FIVE ard twenty years,
six.footer, with broad shoulders, fac
bronzed by exposure to the weather
but a eoodly face to look upon, with il
rather square jaw, ruddy cheeks, fu
smiling lips, brown hair curling over
broad forehead, and blue eyes, whic
answered my fathers questioning loo
a. by a merry twinkle. -..s.-
In moment father extended bot
, hands and grssped the strangers MOI
. cordially.
You are one of Aunt Annals boys
A hearty laugh preceded tbe reply.
Il wasu': afeeredS but you'd git
right, Squire, give you time enough
I'm The little Joe Tolon you tauet
long division to- .t- ,.. ..,,.. e.
We knew Aunt Anna was forme
Iandlady of fathers when he was
, pedagogue that she lived forty or df'
miles from us-agreaLd distance 10 tbo'
Ill days-apd Our sint6rest began to fll
e after mother came. in,iIotb the kliebel
ad and tile conversation .was con,ino'
cr about old neighbQrs .otwhose txissen'
N N we had beeu. Iguorsnt. We beto'
&c ourselves 10 the kitchen, when moth
soop followed. -a..s -.
MD-nsontt1 xphsla Too naa rarfnJ