Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-05-02

t, while Jane was building fire in the bes
= room.
The best room of an old-fasilione,
J farmhouse was dreary enough. This on
r had bright yarn carpet, several splint
Il bottomed and wooden chairs with patch
work cushions, low-back rocking chair.
wooden "settee' table with the Bible
e Bakers Call to the Uncovered" an al
= manac, and file of the Christian Era A few
q silhouettes and prints from magazines were
on the walls but, after all, its only orna.
ments were the scrupulous cleanliness and
its big fireplace.
, Jane hustled in and out, on household
AID hospitable cares intent, being given by
general consent some opportunity for an
acquaintance and q chance to see and be
seen before being t>'ld our errand.
did Joe see?
Jane was, as father said, undeniably
homely.
She was tall and angular. Her feet and
hands were large. Her hair was trife
too red for auburn and not yellow enough
! for gold. Carroty is the proper descrip-
| ton. Her light complexion was freckled,
but her cheeks would have shaued the
roses. Her eyes were gray; her nose had
grown very long, and then. as if wishing
to make amends for that mishap. had
| ciitiPSI lt1til llitc 81 uCNittttl pug IltI
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 dentists hands
Her dress was Of blue flannel every
thread spun and woven by herself
| The hour or two before dinner was spent
in viewing and discussing the stock. in
telling the scanty news, and in talking
over I" Uncle Toms Cabin which was
| then appearing rs serial, III all of which
Joe took his part sensibly and nobiy.
AT noon We were summoned to an excel
| lent and bountiful farm dinner 1t was
quite evident that by this time Jane had
been informed of our errand. from perfect
| Inconsistencies she became suddenly pre-
| occupied, nervous and blushing; Joe en-
joyed his dinner, and did ample Justice
to it.
After we were all done, suddenly there
came a break and an awkward pause in
the conversation. Joe cleared his throat,
but without other sign of embarrassment
began:
" Miss Holton, see somebody has al |
ready told you what I've come for, and its |
right | should tell you something about my |
self. The Squire here will tell you about |
my folks.
!" 1 am % years old, and have never been
sick in my life; | don't drink whisky. or |
chew tobacco | am member of the Bap- /
fist Church when | am where there IS one.
I've been raised to work, and can hold |
up my end with any man. rhave 100 acres |
of land, about half cleared there's the
papers 10 show for it, and Squire Black
will tell you they re all right
I've a good log house, log stable, and so
on | own the horses | drove down here
and drove of oxen besides. don't owe
any man cent | shall have COWS and
chickens when I've wife TO take care of
EN-. Now if you think you can make up
your mind to marry me, I'd like 10 ask YOU
few questions
Jane said nothing, and Joe, evidently
taking silence for consent, proceeded
Did you cook this dinner?''
Still Jane was silent, but her mother an
swered d" Yes for her.
Joe smiled. We'll. the squire told me
you were good cook, or I wouldn't have
come out here
Can you make good bread? %
\ faint but rather indignant Yes" 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"
I" Yes" little louder.
g Can you run house and do all kinds
of housework ?''
The cal seemed to have got James tongue
again, and my mother, plying her embar-
rassment, replied with an exhaustive cata-
lOgue of James virtues as a Housewife.
Then, suddenly checking herself rs one
who had said too much or said it in !
wrong cause, became silent but the ques-
tioning went on.
" Can You sew, knit, spin, weave and are
you strong and healthy -
- Yes
" AS you've got to saying yes. I'd like d
to go right on and ask you to have me but a
I'll 60 out and feed my horses, and you can 5
ak with your folks and the squire and his
wife, and give me the answer to the aueg- |
ion when come i'll. q
want to say first that if YOU agree 20
marry he II try to do the fair thing by you r
md expect you to do the same by me- You I
AN always have what you can make from
he butter and eggs and half the wool for L
your own spending. 1t will be very lone o
some, for there won't be any other white c
woman nearer than five miles for a while 9
yet and the work will be hard but maybe 9
10 harder than you re used to. If You 90 St
We Il have to start day after tomorrow The -,
Dads are very rough. and it will take two q
maybe three-days 10 travel the sixty-odd o
niles a
1t took Joe a long time to feed his team.
md during his absence good deal OF talk
ne vas done. When he returned. Mr.. Hol-
on stood 10y the table. looking very sober, II
nd there were tears in the eyes of all the Il
women when he said
Joe, Jane has concluded she'll chance y
with you. She's been good girl al u
Ways ana we hope you'll use her well. u u
Will MI. Holton; 50 help me God, ! Il
oIeiuhiy answered Joe and he walked :.
Eef 70 where Jane stood, and put his arms a.,
I'd '.ur- was d ehel"5 Hahu3haklhg Of
~, 81 ,,t.i.S e't maze Tor the we'd
80 - 10 iIooii' n'fI "Iich zoe ana II
w., ,t' ere ~ Co'iie - IA as our mousse w
'tI w. me Iiis morning start Tor nome .,
io 5 va an oIG- niohed couh-
Ga'g sIei-b ni-oS az; me certlileilI OF
quilts. blankets. and bonse- tn
~, 80 % " ~ H'Hs 4h2 nice
Nv itIiC PICK VI tIc htFul uet behind, tor