Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-06-25
AN UN-COMMON-SENsE MATCH.

AN iN-tOMhON-NGNs mhiN's
The weather had been very cold even
for january. For days nobody had
stirred out unless compelled by neccs-
sity, and, I've no doubt, our dear
mother had longed many times for q
change which would allow her noisy
children to exercise their lungs and
muscles out of doors.
AZ last the change came. During tho
forenoon the thermometer indicated a
rising temperature, and about midday
''the old woman up in the sky began
emptying her feather beds.
Thick and fast the downy snowflakes
fell, wrapping every tree and shrub in n
garment of pure white and making even
..the stake and rider fences, the log
barns and corn-cribs, things of beauty
which are too truly ''joys not to last for
ever"
Hastilywe children were clad in coats,
cloaks, scarfs, mittens, and all that par
aphernalia of outer garments which low
ing 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 quickly 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 u
span of bay horses. Hastily we drove
our slcds to tho foot of our hill and
reached it just in time for "hitch."
The driver of this establishment was
nowise visible.
The hand which guided the team
seemed not n hand but huge wad of
buckskin and yam, and il proceeded
from sort of tower of bed quilts,
blankets, buffalo robes, comforters, sur
mounted by head piece cnveloped in a
green and red "Bay State" shawl
There was little crack undoubtedly
left for the eyes, but no eyes could be
seen by u.s., SsgSSs sase
Edging around very little, but proba-
bly, rs much rs circumstances would'al-
low, the roll of dry goods and furs in
quired if lyon house was Squire
Black's?n
We replied ailirmatively. and settled
down TO the enjoyment of q ride to- our
whispered spcculations MS TO whom the
stranger might be.
When the sled stopped acommttee OF
us reported ths arrival ut the house
while the remainder watched the tying
and blanketing of the horses and then
! formed voluntary escort.
In answer TO muilled rap father
opened the door.
esquire Black, suppose?'
Eyes sir; como in. Getting quite cold
outside" said my father, cycling hi,
guest curiously.
well, yes; we've had fearful spell
o'wcather, and I've boon 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 Of frost l hardly knew
you; but / reckon you'll see who l an
when / get this toggcry off,"
From the moment our visitor haC
stepped inside he had been engaged il
unwrapping one garment after another
process all the world like peeling M
onion
At last there stood revealed n young
nan of four or five and twenty years, {
nix footer, with broad shoulders, face
bronzed by exposure TO the weather, bu
goodly face to look upon, with it
rather square jaw, ruddy checks, full
smiling lips, brown hair curling over ,
broad forehead, and blue eyes, which
answered my fathers questioning lool
by merry twinkle.
In moment father extended boil
hands and grasped the strangers mos
cordially.
"You are one of Aunt Annals boys.
A hearty laugh preceded the reply
81 wasn't afeerd but you'd git it right
Squire, give you time enough. I'm tn
little Joe Tolon you taught long divis
ion to"
We knew Aunt Anna was o forme
landlady of fathers when he was n ped
agogue; that she lived forty or fifty mile
from us-a great distance in those day
and our interest began to flag afte
mother came in from the kitchen, an,
conversation was continued about oil
neighbors of whose existence we ha'
been ignorant. We betook ourselve
to the kitchen, when mother soon fol
lowed.
Presently, while Joe was caring fo
his team, father came in, and all ur
mindful of the adage about "littl
pitchers" said, with the air of one VIII
must DO circumspect lest his risibilitie
would betray him, "Ma, what do 20
suppose Joe has como forp"
I'm sure don't know" replied mott
err, composedly stirring another hant
full of meal into the boiling mush whic
was to be the piece dc resistance of on
evening meal.
"Hc has come for WIFE"
N"A wife! did not know he was n,
quainted around here.
ale isn't. He wants me to recon
mend him to some girl who is stronl
able, and willing TO work, knows no
to run house and [hesitating a little ,
he saw the contemptuous curve of N
mothers nose and mouth and I've
spoken-about-Jane."
! esquire Blackr' exclaimed mothe
emphasizing her words still further by
dash of the pudding stick which SCI
the mush flying over the stove.
Jane was n farmers daughter wi
worked for us summers and went hon
n winters to help do up the spinnin
: weaving and the like.
A mutually satisfactory agreemen
as James services were more needed
home In the winter than in the summe
and mother thereby saved the board al
wages OF girl during the winter VIII,
the work was not so heavy. Moreove
mother often said that Jane put 4
work ahead so when she was there th
J. she could not keep her busy the We
round.
- II n A. Il n