Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-02-29

OF the way or another charge from the
mush pot where the beating was going on
vigorously. After a pause be began
again.
"Well, ma, Jane is not bound to marry
Joe unless she wants to. But perhaps
she'll never get another chance as good.
You know yourself that any one Of Aunt
Annals boys is bound to make good man
and smart one."
None too smart if he thinks to get a
wife this way" snapped out mother.
s'Let him try, ma, if he wants to let
him try. 1t won't hurt him to have the
conceit taken out of him.
No reply, but the mush was stirred as
never mush before. Another pause.
"You know, ma, Jane has been keep
ing company with that trifiirg Dan
Marcy"
"Why doesn It he marry q girl who knows
him, if he wants to got married ?" sourly
inquired mother; but the pudding stick
relaxed its vigor slightly and father ven-
tured little nearer the speaker.
"He says the girls up there are all squaws
and down by his mothers they have too
high notions"
"Well, it's heathenish, Frenchlfed
way of counting wife," replied m other
land If he were to come about me that
way, if were Jane, I'D empty bucket
of water over him."
"Maybe she will, maybe she will, chuck.
led father, who probably would have en-
Joyed that termination of the affair as
well as any.
"But, ma, you know Jane is terribly
homely, and"
What further he would have said was
cut short by the entrance Of Joe bearing
jar and package.
mother sent these to you with her
compliments, Mrs. Black"
Mother, who knew the flavor of Aun'
Annals cheese and honey OF old, was some.
what Modified by these presents, but be
remained rather sulky all evening; even
WhOh OOO hilCA dOt VOOAeUOAS PAAAb6 VIZ
sticks as evenly as laths in a bundle, hlieo
the water-pails, cut the kindling, and did
the milking, bringing in the pail AT
clean, she condescended to tell him, as sh+
would herself or-but she checked herself
and did not say ''or Jane"
She would be no party to that mi guilty
In xuh ho tod
his text promptly and correctly, and knel
reverently at prayers, and she told father
she was likely young man, but"-he.
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 eide it was arranged that
father Was to introduce Joe's errand to
the elders, and if they were willing, Jor
might thereafter proceed as he liked.
So upon our reaching the farm father.
and Mr.. Holton left Joe and the boys to
put up the team, and they came up to the
house and held conference with Mrs
Holton while Jane was busy building the
fire in the best room.
The "best room" of an old-fashioned
farmhouse was dreary enough. This one
mad bright yarn carpet, several split
hottomed and wooden chairs with patch.
work cushions, a w-backed rocking
char. wooden ''settee," table with the
Bible, Baxter's "Call to the Unconverted, /"
an almanac, and file of the Christian
Era. A few silhouettes and prints from
magazines were on the walls; but. after
all, its only ornaments we're the scrupulous
cleanliness and its big fire place.
Jane hustled in and out on household
and hospitable cares intent, being given
by general consent some opportunity for
acquaintance and chance to see and be
seen before being told our errrand.
You already know what she saw. What
did Joe see? Jane was. as father had said,
undeniably 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. ''Carro-
ty'' is the proper description. Her light
complexion was freckled, but her cheeks
would have shamed the roses. Here eyes
were gray; her nose had grown very long,
and then, as II wishing to make amends
for that mishap. had shaped itself into a
decided pug. Her mouth was large and
always smiling. and smiling showed what
was JAMES only beauty-a set of as regular
and white teeth as ever came under dent.
lists hands. Her dress was of blue flannel,
every thread spun aud woven by herself.
The hour or two until dinner was spent in
viewing and discussing the stock, in tell
ing the scanty news, and in talking over
"Uncle Toms Cabin" which was then
appearing as serial, in all of which Joe
took his part, sensibly and modestly.
At noon we we're summoned to an ex-
cellent and bountiful farm dinuer. 1t was
quite evident that by this time Jane had
been informed OF our errand, for from
perfect Inconsistencies she became sud-
denly preoccupied, nervous. end blushing.
Joe enjoyed his dinner and did ample JUS
tice to it. After we were all done sudden
" there came break and an awkward
pause in the conversation. Joe cleared
his throat. but without other sign Of en-
barrassment began
miss Holton, ! see somebody has al
ready told you what I've come for, and
it's right should tell you something