Smyrna times., 1885-05-27
An uncommon Sense Match.

even for January. For days nobody
had stirred out unless compelled by
necessity, and I've no doubt our dear
mother had longed many times for a
change which would allow her noisy
children to exercise their lungs and
muscles out of doors.
At last the change came During
the forenoon the temperature indicated
rise, 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
garment of pure white, and making
even the stake and rider fences, the
log barns and corn-cribs, things of
beauty which were too truly 'ioys not
to last forever"
Hastily We children were clad in
coats, scarfs, mittens, and all the
paraphernalia of outer garments which
loving mothers provide and insist upon
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, VIII
upon the opposite hilltop there came
i'll sight farmers box sleigh, drawn
by 4 span of bay horses. Hastily we
drove our sic Is to the foot of the hill
andrcached it just in time for ''hitch.
The driver Of this establishment was in
npwise visible. The hand which guided
tn" .cam seemed not hand, but huge
wad of bucllsllin and yam, and it pro-
ceeded from sort of tower of bed-quilts,
blankets, buffalo robes, comforters,
sumounted by head-piece envelOped
i'll green and red Bay State shawl.
ThTe was little crack, undoubtedly
left for the eyes, but no eyes could be
seen.
Edgng around very little, but
prohab y as much rs circumstances
would allow, the roll of dry goods
inquired
Is yon house Squire Black's?"
We replied ailirmatively and settled
down to the enjoyment of ride to
our own door, during which we ex-
changed whispered speculations as to
whom the stranger might be.
When we stopped at the door a
committee of us reported the arrival,
while the remainder watched the tying
and blanketing of the horses, and then
formed IL voluntary escort
In answer to u muflled rap, father
opened the door.
Squire Black, 1 suppose?"
Yes sir; come in. Getting quite
cold outside" said father, eying his
guest curiously.
Well, yes we've had a fearful
spell O weather, and I've been on the
road for the last two days of it. l see
you don't know me, squire, and I swan,
my eyes were so full of frost 1 hardly
knew you; but 1 reckon you'll see who
am when 1 get this tOggery off"
From the moment our visitor had
stepped inside he had been engaged in
unwrapping one garment after another,
aprOcess for all the would like peeling an
onion. At last there stood revealed
young man of four or five and twenty, a
six fOoter, with broad shoulders, face
bronzed by exposure to the weather,
but gOodly face to look upon, with its
rather square jaw, ruddy cheeks, smiling
lips, brown hair curling over a broad
forehead, and blue eyes, which answered
my fathers questioning look by a merry
twinkle.
In a moment my father extended
both hands and grasped the strangers
most cordially.
" You are one of Aunt Anna's boys"
A hearty laugh preceded the reply
q wasn't afeared but you'd git it
right, squire, give you time enough.
I'm the little Joe Tolon you taught
long division to.
We knew Aunt Anna was a former
landlady of fathers when he was
pedagogue that she lived forty or
fifty miles from us-a great distance in
those days and our interest began to
flag after mother came i'll from the
kitchen, and the conversation was con-
tinued about old neighbors of whose
existence we were ignorant. We be-
! took ourselves to the kitchen, and
mother soon followed.
Presently, while Joe was caring for
his team, father came in, and all un-
mindful of the old adage about "little
pitchers" said
MA what do you think Joe has
come fOy?"
Il am sure I don't know" replied
mother, composedly stirring another
handful of meal into the boiling mush
which was to be the piece de resistance of
our evening meal.
"He has come for a wifel"
"A wife l did not know he was
acquainted around here.
He isn't He wants me to recon-
mend him to some girl who is strong,
able, and willing to work, knows how to
run house, and" "-hesitating a little
as he saw the contemptuOus curve on
my mothers mouth" I've spoken about
jane"
Squire Blackl" exclaimed mother,
emphasizing her words still further by
a dash of the pudding stick which sent
the mush flying in all directions over
the stove.
Jane was a farmers daughter, who
worked for us summers and went home
winters to help to do up the spinning,
weaving, and the like. A mutually
satisfactory agreement, as James SER
vices were more needed at home in the
winter than in the summer, and mother
thereby saved the board and wages OF
girl during the winter when the work
was not so heavy. Moreover, mother