Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-02-20

hap, had shaped itself Into decided
pug. Her mouth was large and always
smiling, and smiling showed what was
Jane's only beauty-a set OF regular
aud white teeth as ever came from
dentisps hands.
Her dress was OF blue funnel every
thread spun aud woven by herself.
The hour or two until dinner was
speat in viewing and discussing tile
stock. IN telling the scanty news, aud
in talking over Uncle Toms Cabin
which was then appearing as a ser'alin
all of which Joe took mis- part, senslby
and mcdestly. !
AT noon we were summoned to an
excellent and bountilul farm dinner.
1t was quite evident that by this time
that Jane had been Informed of our
errand for from perfect unconciousness
she became suddenly preoccupied. ner'
vous, and blushing. Joe enjoyed his
dinner and did ample justice 10 it.
After we were all done suddenly
there came a break and an awkward
pause in the conversation. Joe cleared
his throat, but without other sign OF
em barrassment began:
Miss Holton, l see somebody has
already told you what I've co me for,
and it's right L should tell you some
thing about myself. The Squire here
will lell you about my folks.
Il am 25 years old, have never been
sick in my life, dou't drink whisky, or
swear, or chew sobacco. L am mem
Der OF tile Baptist church when Pm
where there is one.
'I've been raised TO work and can
hold up my end with any man. l have
a hundred an sixty acres of land about
half cleared. There's the papers 10
show for 1t, and Squire Black will tell
YOU they're all right.
I've a good log house, log stable,
and so on. 1 own the horses ( drove
down here and yoke Of oxen besides.
don't owe any man a cent. | shall
have cows and chickens when I've a
wife to take care of 'em. Now, if you
think yon cun make up your mind to
marry ne I'd like to ask you a few
ques tons.'
Jane said nothing, end Joe, evident
ly taking silence for consent proceeded:
Did you cook this dinner p
Still Jane was sileu., but her mother
answered yes for her.
Joe smiled. Well, the Squire told
me you were q good cook or l wouldn't
have come out here.
Can you mako good bread?
A faint but rather indignant yes
was heard from Jane, as il he had ask
ed if she could wash her face or comb
her hair. '
Can you milk aud tend to milk, but
ter and cheese p
Yes little louder.
Can you run house and do all
kinds of housework ?
The cat seemed to have gotten James
tongue again, and my mother, plying
he1 em mbarrassment, replied with an ex-
hausllve catalogue of James virtue as
housewife. Then suddenly checking
horself as one who had said too much
or said 1t in a wrong couse became sil'
ent bu. the questioning wen. on.
Can you sew?'
Yes
Can YOU kuit p
yes .'
Can you spins'
Yes
Can you weave "
Yes
Are you strong and healthy|
Yes
AS you've got 10 sayin' yes I'D like
10 90 riyht on and ask you to haye me ;
but I'll go out aud feed nv hor'es, and
YOU can talk with your folks and the
I SQUIRE and his wife, and give me the
! answer TO that question when come
in.
/ want 10 say first that il you agree
to marry ne I'll try and do the fail
thing by you. an expect you 10 do the
v same by me.
4 you can always have what you can
, make from the butler and eggs and ball
, the wool for your own spending. Il
f will be very lonesome, for lhcre won'
he another white woman nearer thar
five miles for while yet, and the worl
D will be hard, but maybe not harder
than you're used to. If you go wei
/ have to go day alter Tomorrow. The
} rohds are very rough, and 1t will TAXI
g In o-ma, by three days 10 travel ih'
G sixty odd miles. =.
II took Joe long time TO feed hi
team. and duripg his absence a grea
= deal Of talking was done. When be re
. turned Mr. Holton stood by tue table
locking very sober, and there were tear
/. in the eyes of all the women when he
said: Joe. Jane has concluded shell
/ chance 1t with you. Sbe's beer good
5 GIRL always, and wehope you'll use bel
| well.' air. -I..1 ~us.1
L will, Mr.. Holton,so he me God,
solemn ly answe red Joe and be walked
over TO wheIe Jane stood and put BIZ
ara, around her and kissed her.
Then there was general hand shak
ing, and arrangements were made fol
: the wedding next afternoon, after which
8 Joe and his wife we're 10 come back al
Far as our house and The following
morning startfor home, ,ai 70 sr.fca
| MI II;nu old. 70 q hiOn Ar