The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-01-24
A STRANGE WOOING.
A Brief Counting That Resulted in .
Happy Marriage.

for January. For days nobody had
stirred out unless compelled by neces-
sity, and, I've no doubt, our dear
mother had longed many times for
change which would allow her noisy
children to exercise their lungs and
muscles out OF doors.
At lass the change came. During
the forenoon the thermometer indicated
rising temperature, and about mid
day 1.-The old woman up in the sky be-
gan emptying her feather beds.
Thick and fast the downy snowfakes
fell, wrapping every tree and 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 in
coats, cloaks, scarfs, mittens, and all
that paraphernalia OF outer garments
which loving mothers provide and in
sist on being worn, despite the protests
of the wearers.
At last we were free and out upon
the hill near 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 hitch.
The driver of this establishment was
nowise visible.
The hand which guided the team
seemed not hand but huge wad of
buckskin and yam, and it proceeded
from sort of tower of bed-quilts,
blankets, buffalo-robes, comforters,
surmounted by head-piece enveloped
in green and red Bay State" shawl.
There was a little crack undoubtedly
left for the eyes, but no eyes could be
seen by us.
Edging around a very little, but
probably as much as circumstances
would allow, the roll of dry goods and
furs inquired If "Yon house was Squire
Black s?''
We replied affirmatively, and settled
down to the enjoyment of ride to our
own door, during which we exchanged
whispered speculations as to whom the
stranger might be.
When the sled stopped a committee
of us 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 muffied rap father
opened the door.
Squire Black, supposea"
Eyes sir; come in. Getting quite
cold outside" said my father, eying his
guest curiously.
''Well, yes, we've had a fearful spell
o. weather, and I've been on the road
for the last two days of it. see you
don't know me, Squire, and swan, my
eyes were so full O. frost l hardly knew
you; but | reckon you'll see who 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 for all the world like peeling
an onion.
At last there stood revealed young
man of four or five and twenty years,
six-footer, with broad shoulders. face
bronzed by exposure to the weather,
but q goodly face to look upon, with its
rather square jaw, ruddy cheeks, full
smiling lips, brown hair curling over a
broad forehead, and blue eyes, which
answered my fathers questioning look
by merry twinkle.
In moment father extended both
hands and grasped the strangers most
cordially.
"You are one of Aunt Annals boys"
A hearty laugh preceded the reply.
~ wasn't afeerd but you'd git it
right, Squire, give you time enough.
I'm the little Joe Tolon you taught
long division to"
We knew Aunt Anna was a former
landlady of fathers when he was
pedagogue; 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 the conversation was con-
tinued about old neighbors of whose
existence we had been ignorant. We
betook ourselves to the kitchen, where
mother soon followed.
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 for?''
I'm sure I don't know" replied
mother, composedly stirring another
handful OF meal into the boiling mush
which was to be the piece de resistance
of our evening meal.
ssHe has come for a wife,
"a wife! did not know he was ac-
quainted around here.
''He isn't. He wants me to recon-
mend him to some girl who is strong,
able, and willing to work, knows how
to run a house and [hesitating a little
as he saw the contemptuous curve of
my mothers nose and mouth l-and