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

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 for a change which would al
low her noisy children to exercise their
lungs and muscles out of doors. At last
the change came. During the forenoon
the thermometer indicated rising tenn
perature. and about midday "the old wo-
man up in the sky began emptying her
feather BEDS" Thick and fast the downy
snowdakes fell. wrapping every tree and
shrub in a garment of pure white and
making even the ''stake and rider" fences,
the log barns and corn-cribs, things of
beauty which we're 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 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
A"hih6 0hOW Aeus DO dlGOl DUOu cJlppCu
quickly by. the snow ceased falling, and
the evening was settling down clear end
cold. when upon the opposite hilltop there
came in sight farmers box-sleigh, drawn
by span of bay horses. Hastily we drove
our sleds to the foot of the hill and reach
ed 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 yarn. and it proceeded from tower
of bed quilts, blankets, buffalo-robes, and
comfort surmo united by head-piece
enveloped in green and red bay State"
shawl. There was little crack undoubt-
eddy left for the eyes, but no eyes could be
seen by US.
Edging around very little. but prob
ably as much as circumstances could
allow, the roll Of dry goods and furs in.
quired if lyon house was Squire
Blacks % We replied affirmatively, and
settled down to the enjoyment Of tide
to our own door, during which we ex-
changed whispered speculations as to
whom the stranger might be. When the
sled stopped, committee OF us reported
the arrival at the house while the re-
mainder watched the tying and blanket
ing of the horses and then formed volun-
tary escort. In answer to a mufied rap
father opened the door.
Squire Black, suppose? ?"
eyes, sir; come in. Getting quite cold
outside" said my father, eyelng his guest
curiously.
"Well, yes, we've had fearful spell of
weather. and I've been on the road for
the last two days of it. 1 see you don't
know me, Squire, and I swar, my eyes
were so full o. frost I hardly knew you;
but reckon you'll see who am when
l get this toggery off,"
From the moment our visitor had step
ped inside he had been engaged in unwrap-
ping one garment after another, a process
for all the world like peeling an onion. Al
last there stood revealed young man of
four or five and twenty years. six -footer,
with broad shoulders, face hronzed by ex-
posture to the weather, but goodly face
to look upon, with It's rather square jaw.
rudy cheeks. full smiling lips, brown
hair curling over broad forehead, and
blue eyes, which answered my fathers
questioning look by merry twinkle. In
a moment father extended both hands
and grasped the strangers most cordially.
"You are one of Aunt Annals boys"
A hearty laugh preceded the reply.
81 wasn't Altered but you'd git it right.
Squire, give you time enough. I'm the
little Joe Tolon you taught long division
tor
We knew Aunt Anna was a former
landlady of fathers when he was peda-
gogue; that she lived forty or fifty miles
from us-a great dist ance in those days
and our interest began to flag after mother
came in from the kitchen. and the CONVEX
satlon was continued 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 unmindful of the adage about
'slittIe pitchers' said, with an air Of one
who must be circumspect lest his risibili.
ties would betray him, ma. what do you
suppose Joe has come for 2"
s'G'm sure don t know. replied mother,
composedly stirring another handful Of
meal into the boiling mush which was to
be the piece de resistance at our evening
meal.
"He has come for wife,
IA wife! I did not know he was &C.
auainted around here"