Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-02-16

compliments, Mrs. Black"
Mother. who knew the flavor OF Aunt
Annals cheese and honey OF old, was
somewhat Modified by these presents, but
she remained rather sulky all evening
even when Joe filed her wood-box, pillng
| the sticks as evenly as lath in bundle,
filled the water-pails, cut the kindling and
did the milking, bringing the pan in as
clean, she condescended to tell him, as she
would herself or-but she checked herself
and did not say " or Jane.
She would be no party to that iniquity.
He nearly won her when he repeated his
text promptly and correctly and knelt rev.
erently at prayers, and she told father she
was likely young man, but'-her lips
shut close, and she shook her head when
she thought of his mission.
But before morning the sky cleared, and
things were hurried around for an early
start to James.
During the ride it was arranged that
father was to introduce Joes errand to the
elders, and if they were willing Joe might
thereafter proceed as he liked.
So upon our reaching the farm father
and Mr.. Holton left Joe and the boys to
put out the team, and they came up to the
Holton while Jane was building the fire in
the best room.
The chest room" of an old-fashioned
farmhouse was dreary enough. This one
had bright yarn carpet, several split-bot-
toned and wooden chairs with patchwork
cushions, a low-backed rocking chair, a
wooden "settee, a table with the Bible,
Baxter's "CalI to the Unconverted," an
almanac and file of the Christian E1G. A
few silhouettes and prints from magazines
were on the walls but, after all, its only
ornaments were the scrupulous cleanliness
and its big fireplace.
Jane hustled in and out on household
and hospitable cares intent, being given by
general consent come opportunity for an
acquaintance and chance to see and to be
seen before being told our errand.
You already know what she saw. What
did Joe see ?
Jane was, as father had said, uudeniably
homely.
She was tall and angular. Her feet and
hands were large. Her hair was trihe
too red for auburn and not yellow enough
for gold. "Carroty'' is the proper de-
seription.
Her light complexion was freckled, but
her cheeks would have shamed the roses.
Her eyes were grey her nose had grown
very long, and then, as if wishing to make
amends for that mishap, had shaped itself
into decided pug, Her mouth was large
and always smiling, and smiling showed
what was James only beauty set Of as
regular and white teeth as ever came from
dentists hands.
Her dress was of blue flannel, every
thread spun and woven by herself.
The hour or two until dinner was spent
in viewing and discussing the stock, in
telling the scanty news, and IN talking
over Uncle Toms Cabin" which was
then appearing as q serial, in all of which
Joe took his part sensibly and modestly.
At noon We were summoned to an excel
lent and bountiful dinner, 1t was quite
evident that by this time Jane had been in
formed of our erraud, for from perfect I'M
consciousness she became suddenly preOc-
cupied, nervous and blushing. Joe en-
loved his dinner and did ample justice
to it.
After we were all done suddenly there
came a break and an awkward pause in the
conversation. Joe cleared his throat, but
without any other sign of embarrassment
began
=" Miss Holton, I see somebody has
already told you what I've come for, and
it's right should tell you something about
myself The Squire here will tell you
about my folks.
/ 81 am % years old, have never been
/ sick in my life, l don't drink whisky, or
/ swear, or chew tobacco. l am a member
of the Baptist Church when | am where
there is one.
Tive been raised to work and can hold
/ up my end with any man. l have a hun
| bred and sixty acres of land about half
| cleared There's the papers to show for
it, and Squire Bllck will tell you they
all right,
I've a good log house, log stable aud
so on. l own the horses | drove down
| here and yoke OF oxen besides. l don I
/ owe any man a cent. l shall have cows
/ and chickens when I've wife to take
care of EN-. Now, if you think You caa
! make up your mind to marry ne I'd like
to ask you few questions"
Jane said nothing, and Joe evidently
taking silence for consent, proceeded:
did you cook this dinner ?"
Sill Jane was silent, but her mother an
awered Eyes" for her.
Joe smiled. "Well, the Squire told me
you were a good cook or l wouldn't have
come out here"
"Can you make good bread %
A faint but rather indignant Eyes" was
heard from Jane, as if he had asked if she
could wash her face or comb her hair.
"Can you milk and tend to milk, butter
and cheese -
Eyes, little louder
"Can you run house and do all kinds
of homework -
The cat seemed TO have gotten James
tongue again, and my mother, plying hel
emb irrassment. replied with an exhaustive
catalogue of James virtues as a housewife
Then suddenly checking herself as one who
had said too much or said it in a wrong
cause, became silent. but the questioning
went on.
"Can you sew, knit, spin, weave and are
you strong and healthy p
Eyes"
cas- you've got to saying yes I'd like
to 90 right on and ask you to have ne
but I'll 20 out and feed my horses, and yor
can talk with your folks and the Squire
and his wife, and give me the answer t.
the question when l come in.
81 want to say first that If you agree K
marry me I'll try and do the fair thing by
you, and expect you to do the same by me
4" You can always have what you car
make from the butter and eggs and hal
the wool for your own spending. 1t vii
be very lonesome, for there won't be an
other white woman nearer than five mile
for while yet, and the work will be hard
but may not be harder than you're used to
II you go We'll have to start day after to
morrow. The roads are very rough, snC
|, it will take two-maybe three-days L
travel the sixty odd miles.
1t took Joe long time to feed his team
and during his absence great deal OF talk
ing was done. When he returned MIR
Holton stood by the table looking yer.
sober, and there were tears in the eyes o
, 81 the women when he said Joe, Jan
| has concluded she'll chance it with you
, Sce's been good girl always, and we hop
you'll use her we'll"
q will, Mr.. Holton, so help me God,
solemnly answered Joe, and he walkeu
: over to where Jane stood and put his arm
around her neck and kissed her.
! Then there WAS general handshaking
! and arrangements were made for the wed
/ ding next afternoon, after which Joe an
his wife were to come back as far as GU
house and the following morning start 70
home.