Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-05-02
tell him, as she would herself, or,-but did

But before morning the sky cleared, and
things were hurried around for an early start
TO James.
During the ride Il was arranged that faith
er was 10 introduce Joe's errand to the elders,
and If they we're willing Joe might there
after proceed as he liked.
So, upon reaching the farm, father and Mr..
Holton left Joo and the boys to put up the
team, and they came up TO the house and
held conference with Mrs Holton, while
Jane was building fire in the best room.
The "best room" of an old-fashioned farm
house was dreary enough This one had
bright yarn carpet, several splnt-bottomed
and wooden chairs with patch-wo cushions
a low.back rocking chair, a wooden ''settee,"
table with the Bible, Baxter's "Oall to the
Unconverted, A" an almanac and file of the
Christian Era. A few silhouettes and prints
from magazines were on the wallis but, az
ter all, its only ornaments were the scrupu-
lous cleanliness aud its big fireplace.
Jane hustled in and out, on household and
hospitable cares intent, being given by gen
eral consent some opportunity for an aoquain-
tance and chance to see and be seen before
being told our errand.
You know already what she saw. What
did Joe see
Jane was, as father said undeniably home
ly.
She was tall and angular. Her feet and
hands we're large. Her hair was tribe too
red for auburn, and not yellow enough for
gold. "Carrotty" is the proper description.
Her light complexion was frecklod, but her
cheeks would have shRmed the roses. Her
eyes were gray her nose had grown very
long and then, as If wishing to make amends
for that mishap, had shaped itself into de-
cided pug Her mouth was large and always
smiling, and smiling showed what was James
only beauty-a set of as regular and white
teeth as ever came from a dentists hands.
Her dress was of blue flannel, every thread
spun and woven by herself.
The hour or two until dinner was spent in
viewing and discussing the stock in telling
| the scanty news, and in talking over "Uncle
Toms cabin" which was then appearing as
serial, in all of which Joe took his part sensi-
bly, and modestly.
| At noon we were summoned TO an excellent
and bountiful farm dinner. 1t was quite evil
dent that by this time Jane had been informed
of our errand for from perfect unconscious
ness she became suddenly preoccupied ner-
vous and blushing; Joe enjoyed his dinner,
and did ample justice TO it.
After we we're all done, suddenly there
came break and an awkward pause in the
conversation. Joe cleared his throat, but
without other sign of embarrassment began
miss Holton, / see sombody has already
told you what I've come for, and its right
that should tell you something about my
self. The squire here will tell you about my
folks
II am twenty-five years old, and have new
er been sick in my life don't drink whiskey,
or chew tobacco. l am a member of the
Baptist church when l am where there is
one.
Tive been raised to work and can hold up
my end with any man. have q hundred and
sixty acres of land about half cleared, there's
the papers to show for it, and Squire Black
will tell you they're all right.
1--WE a. good log house, log stable, and so
on. l own the horses drove down here and
q yoke Of oxen besides. don't owe any man
a cent. shall have COWS and chickens when
I've wife to take care Of 'em. Now if you
think you can make up your mind to marry
me, I'd like to ask you few questions"
Ibid you cook this dinner?"
Still Jane was silent but her mother an
swered "Yes" for her
Joe smiled. "Well, the squire told me you
were good cook, or wouldn't have come
out here.
"Can you make good bread?"
faint but rather indignant Eyes" was
heard from Jane, as if he had asked if she
could wash her face or comb her hair.
'Can you milk and tend to milk, butter and
cheese"
yes" little louder.
Can you run house and do all kinds of
housework ?"
The cat seemed 10 have gotten James
tongue again, and my mother, plying her
embarrassment replied with an exhaustive
catalogue of James virtues as a housewife.
Then, suddenly checking herself as one who
had said too much or Baid it in a wrong cause,
became silent, but the questioning went on.
"Can you sew, knit, spin, weave, and are
you strong and healthy ?"
d. Yes"
"As you've got to saying Yes, I'd like to
60 right on and ask you to have me but I'll
go out and feed my horses, and you can talk
with your folks and the squire and his wife,
and give me the answer TO the question when
l como in.
81 want to say first that if you agree tc
marry me I'll try and do the fair thing by you
aud expect you to do the same by me.
s "You can always have what you can make
( from tho butter and eggs and half the WOO
, for your own spending. 1t will be very lone
. some, for there won't be another white WON
an nearer than five miles for a while yet, anC
e the work will be hard, but may be no harde
than you're used too. If you go we'll hav
;, TO start day after tomorrow. The roads ar
j very rough, and it will take two-may b,
Q three-dsys to travel the sxty-odd miles"
1t took Joe long time to feed his team
and during his absence good deal of talking
= | WAS uOne. hu6u Nc IotuIueN, A1OitOi
stood by the table, looking very sober, AM
d there were tears in the eyes of all the womel
i when he said:
}, Joe, Jane has concluded she'll chance
y with you. She's been good girl always, an
d we hope you'll use her WE'LL"
= 81 will, Mr.. Holton so help me God, So
emnly answered Joe, and he walked over
l. where Jane stood, and put his arms aroun
If her and kissed her.
haV aholrf inn nm
arrangements were made for the wedding nel
d afternoon, after which Joe and his wife wer
10 to come as far as our house. and the followin
Ie morning start for home.
~ The wedding was an old fashioned countI
IN one, and not long after the ceremony, Joe
sr sleigh was packed with cargo of feathe
RI beds, quilts, Blankets and housekeepir
80 goods of various kinds, and q nice COW (tl
at pick of the herd) tied behind, for Mr.. Ho
as ton would not let his daughter go empt
10 handed.
Every second year after that for mar
to years Jane came home for visit. The inte
I'D vening years she could not come because "tl
of baby was too little to bring" and the hume
re GUS little Tolons grew up in regular succe
sion, their heads mounting one above anoth
like the rounds of a ladder.
oe Father regularly asked jane when 81
" made these visits, if she had come for her
w vorce.
is Jane always replied; 'Not this time.
=" don't see but what Joe and get along as VI
fe as those who take more time for their cou
ing"
i'm And Joe, who was always holding the bal
eit while Jane "undid" the bigger ones, at t
time this question was asked, would say a
W. provingly ''Thats 80, Jane"
% "Dear me-" said Jane, as, leaning on l
MA Joe Tolon's arm, she threw back her widow
ed veil (she had worn that nearly ten years no
ed and wiped her glasses before ''The Heart
4 the Wilderness" in the art-gallery last fall
''Dear me, Joe, that looks just like the pie
10 of woods opposite the door of the old houI
~ when your father brought me home. L
B. seen the deer browsing there many tin
.o, didn't think that it would ever be city, |
"a your father said it would, and now the CT
ava run over that very spot Ii has been lor
- long time, Joe, but the last ten years ha
oL been longer than all tho rest"
en- |
as The ARCTIC CLOTHING which the govei
ment provides for the men and officers of
me- Greedy relief expedition is thus describe