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

A SIRANG6 WUUlNJ.
The weather had been very cold even for
January. For days nobody had stirred
out unless compelled by necessity, and,
I've no doubt, our dear mother had longed
many times fol- a change which would
allow her noisy children to exercise their
lungs and muscles out of doors.
At last the change came. During tie
forenoon the Thermometer indicated ris-
ing temperature, and about midday " the
old woman mp in the sky began emptying
her feather beds"
Thick and fast the downy snowhakes
fell, wrapping every tree and shrub in
garment OF pure white and making even
the stake and rider" fences the log
barns and corn. cr.bs, things of beauty
which were the truly Joys not to last for
ever"
Hastily We children were clad in coats,
cloaks, scarfs, mittens and all that para
phernalia OF outer garments which loving
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, snowballing and making snow
men.
The afternoon slipped quietly 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 If Just
in time for hitch.
The driver Of this establishment was no.
wise visible.
The hand which guided the team seemed
not q hand but a huge wsd of buckskin
and yam, and it proceeded from a sort of
tower OF bed-quilts, blankets, buffalo.
robes, comforters, surmounted by head
piece envsloped in green and red EBAY
State shawl There was little crack
undoubtedly left for the eyes, but no eyes
could be seen by us.
Eiging around a very little, but prOba-
bly, as much as circumstances would allow,
the roll Of dry goods and furs inquired II
" Yon house was Squire Blacks.
We replied affirmatively, and settled
down to the enjoyment of a ride to our
own door, during which we exchanged
whispered speculations as to whom the
stranger might be.
When the sled stopped committee Of
the remainder watched the tying and
blanketinc OF the horses and then formed
a voluntary escort.
In answer to a mutilsd rap father opened
the door
Squire Black, SUPPOSE
Yes. sir; come in. Getting quite cold
outside, said my father, cycling his guest
curiously,
"Weil. yes, we've had 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 l swan, my eyes were so
full o frost I hardly knew you; but
reckon You'll see who | am when l get this
forgery of. q"
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 q young
man Of four OF five and twenty years, a
six.footsr. with broad shoulders, face
brorzed by exposure to the weather, but a
goodly face to look upon, with its rather
souare law, rudiy cheeks, full smiling
lips, brown hair curling over broad fore.
head, and blue eyes, which answered my
fathers Questioning look by a merry
twinkle.
In a moment father extended both
hands and gTasped the strangers most cor
daily
You are one Of Aunt Annals boys.
hearty laugh preceded the reply.
81 wasn't siserd bat you'd git it right,
Squire. give you time enough. I'm the
little Joe Tolon you taught long division
TO.
" 1-- A,.G 49,, ,,-o, forr, ar
landlady Of fathers when he was peda-
gogue; 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 CONVEX
sation was continued about old ueighbors
OF whose existence we had been ignorant.
We bstook ourselves to the kitchen, where
mother coon followed.
Presently, while Joe was caring for his
team, father came in, and all unmindful OF
the adage about little pitchers" said,
with the air Of one who must be circum'
spect lest his risibilities would besray
him " Ma, what do you suppose Joe has
come for %
I'm sure l don't know, replied moth
er, composedly stirring another handful OF
meal into the boiling mush which was to
De Tue 4tftf ttH 'fetot'tt-t Vi OuI evening
meal
He has come tor wife
"a wife did not know he was &C,
quainted around here"
4" He isn't. He wants me to recommend
him to some girl who is strong, able, and
willing to work, knows how to run house
and hesitatjng little as he saw the con
temptuous curve OF my mothers nose anC
al -
ESQUIRE Black !" exclaimed mother
emphasizing her words still further by
dash of the padding stick which cent thu
mush flying over the stove.
Jane was a farmers daughter, VIII,
worked for US summers and went hom
winters to help do up the spinning, weay
ing and the like.
A mutually satisfactory arrangement, a
James services were more needed at hom
in the winter than in the summer, AM
mother thereby saved the board and wage
of girl during the winter when the worl
was not so heavy. Moreover, mother Otter
said that Jane put the work ahead so whel
she was there that she could not keep he
busy the year round.
All. help was help in those days. Blu
TO return to our kitchen. Father hat
changed his position, getting little out o
the way of another charge from the mush
Dot, where the beating was going on vigor
ously.
After pause he began again.
"Well, ma, Jane is not bound to MARI.
Joe unless she wants to. But perhap
she'll never get another chance as good
You know yourself that any one of Aun
Aunas boys is bound to make good ma
and smart one.
''None too smart if he thinks to get
wife this way, snapped out mother