Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-02-08
AN UN.COMMON-sENSE MATCH.

1Oi canudI.y. IOI oayS uououy AdO
stirred out unless compelled by neces-
sity, and, I've no doubt, our dear
mother had longed many times for a
change which would allow her noisy
children to exercise their lungs and
muscles out Of doors.
At last the change came. During the
forenoon the thermometer indicated a
rising temperature, and about midday
''the old woman up in the sky began
emptying her feather beds"
Thick and fast the downy snowfakes
fell, wrapping every tree and shrub in a
garment of pure white and making even
''the stake and rider" fences, the log
barns and corn-cribs, things of beauty
which are too truly ''joys not to last for
ever"
Hastily we children were clad in coats,
cloaks, %scarfs, mittens, and all that par
aphernalia of outer garments which low
ing mothers provide and insist on being
worn, despite the protests of the wearers.
At last We were free and out upon the
hill neal by, where there was grand
sport, sliding, snowballing and making
snow men.
The afternoon slipped quickly by, the
snow ceased falling, and the evening
was settling down clear and cold, when
upon the opposite hilltop there came in
sight a farmers box sleigh, drawn by a
span of bay horses. Hastily we drove
our sleds to the foot Of our hill and
reached it just in time for a Glitch"
The driver of this establishment was
nowise visible.
The hand which guided the team
seemed not hand but a huge wad of
buckskin and yam, and it proceeded
from a sort of tower of bed quilts,
blankets, buffalo robes, comforters, sur
mounted by a head piece enveloped in a
green and red EBAY State" shawl.
There was a little crack undoubtedly
left for the eyes, but no eyes could be
seen by us.
Edging around very little, but proba-
Oily as much as circumstances would al
low, the roll of dry goods and furs in
.quired if ..Yon house was Squire
Black's?"
We replied afirmatively. and settled
down to the enjoyment of a ride to our
W door, during which VIC exchanged
whispered speculations as to whom the
stranger might be.
When the sled stopped acommittee of
as reported the arrival at the house
while the remainder watched the tying
and blanketing of the horses and then
formed a voluntary escort.
In answer to a muffled rap father
opened the door.
esquire Black, 1 suppose?"
Eyes sir; come in. Getting quite cold
outside" said my father, cycling his
guest c%uriously.
''Well, yes; we've had a fearful spell
~"o'weather, and I've been on the road
for the last two days of it. I see you
don't know me, Squire, and l swan, my
eyes were SO full o ffrost l hardly knew
you; but | reckon you'll see who l am
when l get this toggery off,"
From the moment our visitor had
stepped inside he had been engaged in
unwrapping one garment after another,
a process all the world like peeling an
onion.
AT last there stood revealed a young
man of four or five and twenty years, a
six %footer, with broad shoulders, face
bronzed by exposure to the weather, but
"a goodly face to look upon, with its
rather square jaw, ruddy checks, full
smiling lips, brown hair curling over a
broad forehead, and blue eyes, which
answered my fathers questioning look
by a merry twinkle.
In a moment father extended both
hands and grasped the strangers most
cordially.
''You are one of Aunt Annals boys"
A hearty laugh preceded the reply,
II wasn't afeerd but you'd git it right,
Squire, give you time enough. I'm the
little Joe Tolon you taught long divis-
ion TO-"
We knew Aunt Anna was a former
.landlady of fathers when he was a ped
agogue; that she lived forty or fifty miles
from us-a great distance in those days
and our interest began to flag after
mother came in from the kitchen, and
conversation was continued about old
neighbors of whose existence we had
been ignorant. We betook ourselves
to the kitchen, when mother soon fol-
lowed.
Presently, while Joe was caring for
his team, father came in, and all un-
mindful of the adage about ''little
pitchers said, with the air of one who
must be circumspect lest his risibilities
would betray him, MA, what do you
suppose Joe has come forp"