Smyrna times., 1885-05-27
SO when she was there that she could
not keep her busy the Year round.


had changed his position, getting a
little out of the way of another charge
from the mush-pOt- where the beating
WAS going on vigorously.
After pause he began again
"Well, ma, jane is not bonnd to
marry Joe unless she wants to. But
perhaps she'll never get another chance
is good. You know yourself that any
one of Aunt Annals boys is bound to
make a good man and smart one."
None too smart, if he thinks to get
a wife in this way" snapped out
mother.
Let him try ma, if he wants to
let him try. 1t won't hurt him any to
have the conceit taken out of him..
NOreply, but the mush was stirred
as was never mash before. Another
pause.
You know, MI, Jane has been keep
ing company with that trifing Dan
Marcy"
why don't lie marry a girl who
knows HIM if he wants to get married ?"
sourly inquired mother; but the pud-
ding stick relaxed its vigor slightly, and
father ventured little nearer the
speaker.
"He says the girls up there are all
squaws, and that down by his mothers
they have too high notions"
"Well, it's heathenish way of court
ing a wife, replied mother; land if he
were to come about me in that way,
if 1 were Jane, I'd empty a bucket of
water over him !"
Maybe she will, maybe she will, -
chuckled father, who probably would
have enjoyed that termination of the
affair as well as any. "But, ma, you
know Jane is terribly hOmely, and"
What further he would have said was
cut short by the entrance of Joe bearing
apaclage and a jar.
Mother sent these to you with her
compliments, Mrs Black"
Mother, who knew the flavor of Aunt
Annals cheese and honey of old, was
somewhat Modified by these presents,
but she remained rather sulky all the
evening; even when Joe filed her
wood-bOx and the water pail, cut the
kindling, did the milking, bringing in
the pail, she condescended to tell him,
as clean as she did herself, or-but she
checked herself and did not say, "or
Jane. She would be no party to tnat
iniquity.
He nearly won her when he repeated
his text promptly and correctly and
knelt reyerently at prayers, and she told
father he was "a likely young man =
but her lips shut close and she shook
her head when she thought of his
mission.
Before morning the sky cleared and
things were hurried around for an early
start to james.
During the ride it was arranged that
f.;her was to Introduce Joes errand to
the elders, and if they were will ing Joe
Iii int thereafter proceed as he liked.
So upon reaching the farm father and
Mr.. Holton left Joe and the boys tc
put up the team, and they went up to
the house and held a conference with
Mrs HOltOn, while Jane was busy
building fire i'll the best room.
The best room of an Old-fashioned
farmhouse was dreary enough This
one had bright yarn carpet, several
split-bo;tom and wooden chairs with
patchwork cushions, low-backed
rocking-chair wooden settee, table
with the Bible, an almanac, and file
of he " Christian Era upon it. A few
s.ihouettes and prints from magazines
were ON the WI Is but its only orna-
ments We're the scrupulous cleanliness
and its big fire place.
Jane bustlod III and out, On hospitable
cares intent, being given, by general
consent, some opportunity for acquain-
tance and a chance to see and be seen
before being told our errand
You already know what Jane saw.
What did Joe see: Jane was, as father
had said, undeniably homely. She was
tall and angular. Her feet and hands
were large. Her hair was trihe too
red for auburn and not yellow enough
for gold. "Carroty" is the proper
description. Her complexion was
freckled, but her cheeks would have
shamed 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 decided
pug Her mouth was large and always
smiling, and disclosed what was James
only beauty--a set of as regular and
white teeth as ever came from dentists
hands. Her dress was blue flannel
every thread spun ana woven by her
self
The hour or two until dinner was
spent in viewing and discussing the
stock, in telling the scanty news, and i'll
talking over "Uncle Toms Cabin, "
which was then appearing as a serial, in
all of which Joe took his part sensibly
and modestly.
At noon We were summoned to an
excellent and bountiful farm dinner.
1t was quite evident that by this time
Jane had been informed of our errand,
for from perfect Inconsistencies she
became suddenly preoccupied, nervous
and blushing. Joe enjoyed his dinner
and did ample justice to it.
After we were all done there suddenly
came break and an awkward pause in
the conversation. Joe cleared his throat,
but without other sign of embarrassment
began
Miss Holton, 1 see somebody has
already told you what I've come for,
and it's right 1 should tell you some-
thing about myself. The squire here
will tell you about my folks I
am twenty-five years old, have never
been sick in my life; 1 don't drink
whiskey or swear or chew tobacco. I've
been raised to work and can hold up my
end with any man. have one hundred
and sixty acres of land about half
cleared. There's the paper to show for
it, and Squire Black will tell you they're
all right.
"I've a good house, log stable, and