The Rock Island Argus., 1884-01-25
AN uN.COMMON-SENSE MATCH.

AN UNCOMMON SENSE MATCH.
The weather had been very cold even
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 last the change came. During the
forenoon the thermometer indicated
rising temperature, and about midday
1.-THE old woman up in the sky began
emptying her feather beds
Thick and fast the downy snowilakes
fell, wrapping every tree and shrub in
garment OF pure white and making even
1.-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 We're 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 near by, where there was grand
sport, sliding, snowballiug 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 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 a 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 head piece enveloped in a
green and red Bay State" shawl.
There was little crack undoubtedly
left for the eyes, but no eyes could be
seen by US.
Edging around very little, but proba-
| bly, as much as circumstances would al
low, the roll Of dry goods and furs in
| quired if "Yon house was Squire
| Black 50"
We replied aifirmatively- and settle ed
down to the enjoyment Of a ride to oul
own door, during. which we exchanged
whispered speculations as to whom the
stranger might be.
When the sled stopped acommittee ol
Us reported the arrival at the house
while the remainder watched the tying
and blankctjng of the horses and thcT
formed - voluntary escort
In answer to a muffied rap father
opened the door.
Squire Black, suppose
Yes sir; come in. Getting quite colo
outside" said my father, eyeing hi.
guest curiously.
We'll. YES; we We had fearful spell
o weather, and I've been on the roat
for the last two days of it. l see yo1
don't know me, Squire, and | swan, my
eyes were SO full of frost hardly knew
Won; but | reckon you'll see who an
when get this toggery off .
From the moment our visitor haC
stepped inside he had been engaged il
unwrapping one garment after.another
a process all the world like peeling al
onion.
/ At last there stood revealed a youn;
man of four or five and twenty years,
six footer. with broad shoulders, fac
bronzed by exposure TO the weather, bu
a goodly face to look upon, with it
rather square Jaw, ruddy cheeks, ful
smiling lips, brown hair curling over
broad forehead, and blue eyes, whic
answered my fathers questioning loo
a by a merry twinkle.
In Il moment father extended bot
: hands and graspcd the strangers mo,
cordially.
You are one OF Aunt Annals boys.
A hearty laugh preceded the reply
Il wasn't afeerd but you'd git it righ
! Squire, give you time enough. I'm til
little Joe Tolon you taught long divi:
| ion to-
'' We knew Aunt Anna was n formc
landlady of fathers when he was a pee
aoogue; that she lived forty or fifty mile
from us-a great distance in those day
and our interest began to flag aftt
3 mother came in from the kitchen, an
conversation was continued about ol
d neighbors of whose existence we ha
r, been ignorant We betook ourselvt
i to the kitchen, when mother soon fo
z, lowed
d Presently, willie Joe was caring fC
~ his team, father came in, and all III
mindful of the adage about ''litt
pitchers said, with the air of one WI
must be circumspedf lest his risibiliti'
!. would betrav him, Ma, what do yo
suppose Joe has come for9'
i "Tm sure don't know" replied moth
' er, composedly STIRRING another hand
full of meal into the boiling mush whlc
was to be the piece de resistance OF on
evening meal.
; ''He 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 ho'
to run house and [hesitating little q
he saw the contemptuous curve of m
: mothers nose and mouth and I've
spoken-about-Jane." "
'.Sauire Black!h exclaimed mother
:. emphasizing her words still further by
dash of the pudding stick which ser
! the mush flying over the stove.
| Jane was farmers daughter WI
/ | worked for lis summers and went hon
winters to help do up the spinnin!
weaving and the like.
A mutually satisfactory agreemen
4 as James services were more needed
l home in the winter than in the summe
| and mother thereby saved the board ar
; wages of a girl during the winter whe
- the work was not so heavy. Moreove
d or mother often said that Jane put Il
a. work ahead so when she was there th
e, 'eg she could not keep her busy the ye'
" round.
d All, help was help in those days. Bl