The Osceola times., 1884-02-23

tlat place Dad lolks 90 20 Wlch ''tN
die, aud a heap about beaver dlms.
or other sort of dams. There | -tood
in the middle Of the floor, all alone,
but not in silence; for, by this time,
the milk and coffee piled in with
that conglomcrate heap Of table ware
had began to poor over the edge of
the table, and ran in streams over
the uncarpeted puncheon floor. ]
| took in the situation at a glance,
and resolving to be equal to the
emergency, began picking up the
sound eggs, at the same time calling
the dogs which came promptly to
my assistance and took care Of the
broken ones. Laying, or rather,
pouring the eggs into the meal bar
rel, | paused a moment to reflect AS
to what should do. | knew it was
my duty, under the present dispcn-
satiOn, to act the woman. So | began
kicking the old boots under the bed
and hiding uusigbtly things general
ly. | thought of the broom, but we
never had one; we used a bunch Of
switch-cane, but the boys burnt that
up two or three weeks ago and have
been using the spade ever since. The
next thing that attracted my atten-
ton as being out of order was an OK
yoke and several log-chains. | en-
deavorcd to put the yoke under the
bed, but there were so many plow-
gea's, mauls, axes and crosse saws
under there | could not make it; be-
sides, the OK. bell was buckled to the
yoke and was getting up quite a
racket; so stood it up gently be-
hind the door, piled the chains round
it, and opening the door as far back
as | could, sat the big balance peay
against it; pitched the fiddle up into
the loft, threw two OF three decks Of
cards in the stove boiler, rolled sew
eral old hats, shirts, socks and such
like into one bundle and stuffed 'cm
into the soap-grease barrel; set the
long benches up against the beds,
put one short one in each corner be-
fore the fire for immediate service
Taking another survey to see if all
was in apple pie order, | discovered
the beds were Just AS the men left
them when they got lin the morn
ing; few jerks and a pull or two
10 each, and all was in readiness. !
gave myself a shake like a wet dog,
ran my fingers through my hair,
pulled the wrinkles out of the legs
Of my number nine mud boots the
best ! could, and for once confess,
wanted to see myself, but as ! never
had looking glass in my cabin, ]
was denied that privilege. | felt
little queer as ! said to myself, "now
Scotciman, YOU are to act the woman,
don't forget that "Hello." was
heard at the gate, and stepping soft
ly to the door replied, get out and
come in" ! took another turn or two
about the room, rubbed my face ana
hand and tried 10 compose myself
little; for the truth is, l was consid-
erably excited. Again looking out,
! saw her eHdeavo'ing to hitch her
horse, witch seemed would be I'M
possible owing TO the attention she
was compelled to give her skirts in
keeping them out of the mud. For
getting myself, ! iustiuctively start
ed down the steps to aid her, remark
ing as ! went, "Let me assist YOU
Miss kizzic.' Giving me look that
SAID plainly, "you are out of your
place. she replied, excuse me, Mr.
scotchman, keep your seat" did
not have any seat just then-don't
remember how | got back up the
steps, but one thing do know, it
was not long before | found one of
them short stools IN the corner. The
next thing was to get ready to re-
ccive her; | recollected how they
used to bow gently forward and
sway slowly backwards three or four
feet to get up a fashionable bow
when ! called on them; but YOU see
the table would be right behind me,
and would not have room for this
Jack knife action. Stamp, stamp,
went her little feet on the lower step
as she turned her back on me and
began scrapiug of the mud. "Quite
muddy said !, as huated towards
the door. Indeed" she replied. 81
think the miserable condition OF the
roads and threatening appearance Of
the weather should be the best pos
siblc proof in the world that | am
moved by an irresistible passion to
call on you this evening" % golly,
thought !, what shall saw "Hou
ladies, | guess, like the gentlemen,
get tired of staying at home, and go
merely for a change" Walking in,
she offered me her hand; Of course |
had to take it. This precludcd all
forward and backward jack knife ac-
tion, so that when we bowed our
heads almost bumped, and, it is a
solemn fact, felt greatly relieved
after having my hand squeezed. |
took her hat, placed it on the rcarest
bunk, and inviting her to take a seat
| managed 20 get iuto mine first, Just
as had seen silly women do. \ few
mnmcnts MrIr snnnt i'm nsLinn as 10