The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-05-08
The SHADOW RENT.
by SARA Il. ROSE.

Il was in the days of log cabins and
mighty forests, of red men and of
wolves; when the women spun and
wove their own linens and tlannels;
when the block schoolhouses did duty
for churches as well as schools; and
when the pairing bee and husking frolic
were the social events of the season,
that Prudence Harrington sent around
her younger brother, George to in form
the young people of Smoky Settle
ment that she was to have pairing
bee the next Thursday evening.
The young fellow mounted large
white OK, which had been trained for a
saddle-ox, and took large conch she'll
under his arm, which was an heirloom
in the family, handed down from some
seafaring ancestor, and departed, riding
first to one log. cabin and then to anoth-
er, and inviting all that were single,
from 10 to % years of age; for in those
days "trundle-bed trash and "old
maids" and "baches" were classes of
people with but very few rights.
Georges method of invitation was
rather original, and consisted in bring
ing his OK to an abrupt stop in front of
the cabin door, and blowing loud
blast on his trumpet, which brought all
the people, young and old, to the door,
and then the invitation would be gwen
without the young courier alighting
from his novel steed.
Hope and Mercy Anderson were spin
ming, each upon her little flaX-wheel, in
the large living room of their fathers
log cabin, when the sonorous sound Of
Georges trumpet was heard, and Mercy
jumped quickly up, regardless OF the
snarl into which Her thread was being
tangled, and ran quickly out of the
door where George was sitting upon
his patient OK. Hope followed more
slowly, and Mr.. Anderson also peared
out OF the open door:
prudence wants you to come to
pairing bee at our house next Thursday
evening"
"Oh, my exclaimed the light
hearted Mercy, almost dancing jig.
Its the first one this fall of course we
will come"
Daughter, daughter" demonstrated
old Jeremiah Anderson, smiling, edo
not be so giddy."
I'VE will accept the invitation with
pleasure, said Hope, in more formal
manner.
who is going to be there, George?"
asked Mercy.
"All the young folks in the settle
ment," answered George.
"Then Mr.. Devine is also invited p"
went On Mercy.
Mercy" exclaimed Hope, in q
shocked voice, show could you ask
such a question ?"
Because Iwouid not give CONT
mental to go if there were not going to
be some people there with some life in
them"
Simon Goodenough will be there
undoubtedly" said her father, gravely,
with quiet suggestion in his tones.
"Yes, every one of 'em is asked, Mss
Mercy" said George, with a droll
glance sideways toward the lovely
young belle of Smoky Settlement;
and then he gave his quaint steed cut
with his whip and went galloping off
upon his journey.
Mercy" said the elder sister, with
rebuke in her soft eyes, Il hope, if we
go TO Prudence's pairing bee, that you
will conduct yourself in such manner
as to provoke no iealousies. least of all
in the heart of Simon Goodenough.
What is Simon Goodenough to me +?
All / ask of him is to let me entirely
alone, then could have some peace OF
my life"
"Simon Goodenough is o most ex-
emplary young man, and a ministers
son, and would be your own true lover
forever; while William Devine is q
stranger, great lover of gaudy dress,
and has even been known to dance
among those who care not for that
which is pure and good said Hope,
flushing and her eyes kindling.
"Then why don't YOU take the pious
Simon yourself? And what if Viii
Devine is stranger? We were stran-
gers when we came to Smoky Settle
ment. What if he does love gaudy
1 like TO dance if only could get a
chance
~Ahl my daughter" said the old
man, signing, Il fear you do not suf-
ficiently reverence things that are truly
religious.
Father" said Mercy, playfully,
what if should prove to you that in
my liking for Will Devine reverenced
things more religious than / would if
adored Simon Goodenough.
"Ah, my daughter, fear you could
not succeed in that"
"But oan. father; for if 1 worshipcd