The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-04-24
An uncommon Sense Match.

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An Un- Common Sense Match,
The weather had been very cold
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 aud
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 emptyinS
her feather-beds.
Thick and fast the downy snowhakes
| fell, wrapping every tree and shrub in
q 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 "joys 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,
! tnA naou.1 f,llip,r n,,1 +h. ,;,,f
was settling down clear and cold, when
upon the opposite hilltop there came
in sight farmers box sleigh, drawn
by span of bay horses Hastily we
drove our sleds to the foot of the hill
and reached it just in time for n ''hitch. "
The driver of this establishment was in
nowise visible. The hand which guided
the team seemed not n hand, but huge
wad of buckskin and yam, and it pro-
ceeded from a sort of tower of bed-quilts,
blankets. buffalo robes, comforters,
surmounted by head-piece enveloped
in green and red bay State shawl.
There was little crack undoubtedly
left for the eyes, but no eyes could be
seen.
Edglng around very little, but
probably as much as circumstances
would allow, the roll of dry gools
inquired
"Is yon house Squire Black's?'
We replied af1irmatively, 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 voluntary escort.
In answer to mutiled rap father
opened the door.
Squire Black, suppose?"
"Yes sir; come in. Getting quite
cold outside" said father, eying his
guest curiously.
spell o weather, and I've been on the
road for the last two days of it. / see
you don't know me, squire, and | swan,
my eyes We're so full of frost | hardly
knew you; but / reckon you'll see who
L am when get this toggery off.
From the moment our visitor had
stepped inside he had been engaged in
mwrupping one garment after another,
aprocess for all the would like peeling an
onion. At last there stood revealed q
young man of four or five and twenty a
six footer, with broad shoulders, face
bronzed by exposure to the weather,
but a go)dly face to look upon, with its
rather square jaw, rudy cheeks, smiling
lips, brown hair curling over broad
forehead, and blue eyes, which answered
my fathers Questioning look by merry
twinkle.
In moment my father extended
both hands AMI gras2ed the stra nger's
most cordially.
"You are one of Aunt Anna boys"
A hearty laugh preceded the reply
Il wasn't afea ed but you'd gitlI
right, squire, give you time enough.
Pm the little Joe Toon you taught
long division to"
We knew Aunt Anna was former
landlady of fathers when he was a
pedagogue that she lived forty or
fifty miles from us-a great dis ance in
those days and our interest began to
flag after mother came in 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, sud
Ma, what do you think Joe has
c,wo fur?n
II am sure don't know" replied
mother, composedly stirring another
handful of meal into the boiling mush
which was to be the piece dc resistance of
our evening meal.
" He has come for wife !"
"A wife 1 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 little
as he saw the contemptuous curve on
my mothers mouth-"rve spoken about
Jane"
Squire Blackl' exclaimed mother,
emphasizing her words still further by
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 aud went home
winters to help to do up the spinning,
weaving, and the like. A mutually
satisfactory agreement, as James ser
vices We're more needed at hone in the
Wlntpr tban in tba ut,,,,r,a, aud ,,,nthap