The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-05-08

laughing back to her wheel.
Hope looked at her father with fright
ened eyes at this daring speech, and
the kind-hearted and religious old man
came forward and patted her head,
saying: "You are good girl, Hope,
good girl, and you must add your pray
ers to mine, that your sister, my young
est darling, may be brought into the
fold before it be too late
The night of Prudence's apple bee
was q fine one, and all the boys and
girls assembled to pare the bright red
and golden apples and to quarter and
string them ready for the large rack by
the side of the fireplace.
First and foremost among the merry
maidens was Mercy An erson, who
entered into the work as well as the
amusement of the evening with the
most lively zest.
The girls commenced pairing at five
o'clock in the afternoon, and Mt seven
the young men began to come in by
twos and threes, clad in their stout
homespun clothing, and each with his
gun upon his shoulder and his knife in
his belt
Conspicuous among these was VIII
Devine, who wore clothing of better
| cut and material than the others; and
his dark eyes and gentlemanly bear
ing were very different from those of
the tow-headed and untutored sons of
Smoky Settlement.
Soou after the young men were COM
| fortably seated there arose strife
among them, for the one who could peel
an apple without breaking the peeling
was given the liberty of throwing it
around the neck of the girl he liked
best, and claiming kiss as a reward.
! The rivalry ran high among the
young SWANS. Many on apple was
carefully peeled, only to break just as
the owner was sure of victory but at last
two young men were almost simulta-
neously successful, and they were Simon
Goodenough and Will Devine.
Il declare, they both have one, and
at the same time, too" cried out Pru-
dence. (which shall claim his forfeit
! tirst?"
I'VE will give Mr.. Goodenough the
first chance" modestly replied MIR. De-
vine.
Simon darted triumphant glance at
the speaker, and advanced to the cor
ner where Mercy sat industriously
strinqing apples.
Don't hinder me. she cried, warn
ingly.
"Wal, / swan to man 1 will, an
swered Simon.
Before you'll put that thing around
myneck, I'll break it all to pieces, said
Mercy, defiantly.
Simon continued to advance, and
Mercy sprang to her feet, dropping all
her strings of apples, while the log
cabin rang with merriment.
Don't you dare to-" she cried, an
grily,
Il will, though" answered Sine.
But Mercy sprang forward unexpect-
eddy, and Selling the apple pairing
broke it into half dozen pieces and
stamped them under her feet.
Sine stood, with the remnants in his
hands, looking stupidity silly, until the
laugh subsidized and some one said:
"Well, Sine, you've lost your chance,
and now, Will Devine, try your luck"
Il am almost dsheartened by the
bad luck of Mr.. Goodenough," said he.
But Mercy gave him such a roguish
glance that he appeared TO take cour-
age, and advanced to group of young
ladies who sat near Mercy, and WAS
seemingly undecided which to choose,
when suddenly, with dexterous move,
he threw it around the not unwilling
neck of pretty Mercy.
Sine looked on, green with jealousy,
while Mercy put up her lips and re-
ceived rousing salute, amid general
laughter and clapping of hands. This
was too much for poor Sine, and he
took his hat and left the house, while
Hope rose energetically from her seat
and sat down by Mercy as if to keep
her in order the rest of the evening.
But love laughs at locksmiths. they
say, and willful little Mercy departed
that night under the escort of Will
Devine, and Hope was obliged to ac
company her, rs no other gallant of
fered himself who possessed the neces-
sary religious qualifications.
The aged father had sat up for his
daughters, and a bright fire burned in
the fireplace, which he had kept up
for their comfort, and, after bidding
Mr.. Devine goodnight, the three sat
discussing the events of the evening,
and Mercy was as usual receiving an in
dulgent scolding, when there was a hur-
ried knock at the door and Will De
vines voice called:
LET me In, in Gods name"
Never was human being turned from
that door who called in that name, and
Mr.. Anderson opened the door to see
Will Devine, dripping with blood, and
with huge knife in his hand.
What is the matter, my young
! friend?" he asked in alarm.
Some person sprang at me as l was
going through the wood, and struck at
him with my knife. and think wounded
him, but I'm afraid Pm hurt in return"
Indians, whispered the girls as their
father assisted the young man to a couch,
and their faces grew winter when it
was found that Devine had received
bad cut in the side. but which had not
penetrated deep enough to be fatal.
The old man dressed the wound, and
the young man remained in the cabin,
and after little time he so won the
heart of the old man that he consented
to marriage between him and his
daughter, Mercy. The young girl was