The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-01-22

V0 N0uU S~
sYe4 Il should b. cottage said
Dan Berkoly, laying down his rulo and
beginning to chalk out diagram on his
carpenters bench; yes IL should be
cottage, and built on the plan Of Ben
Morrius. It should have one OF those
picturesque Gothic portioos just here.
facing the west, and two bay windows,
and here the library, and here the cool,
pretty little breakfast room, where we
would breakfast together 80 costly
Minnie and l." and Dan smiled to him
self ct the charming picture his fancy
had created.
sMinnie" might well have been proud
Of Dan if she had happened to see him
just then; for he was looking his best.
Men always do when they are thinking
such good. pure thoughts as filed Dan
Berkely's thoughts that day.
Ermina Lowering thought so, and
when Dan asked her to be his wife she
very willingly spoke the little word that
made him happy.
If there was any one thing IN which
Dan implicitly believed it was the good
ness and sweetness and translucent
loneliness of Minnie Lowering. The one
thing that stood in the way of their per-
feet happiness was Dams lack Of world
" wealth. He could not afford to build
O house, Ermina was determined not to
marry until they could begin life in q
cosy, independent home of their own.
He spent great deal of time planning
and contriving how he could raise
money enough to build cottage like
Ben MorrilIs.
So now, he stood there, planning out
his house for the five hundredth time,
never dreaming that he had another
auditor.
How should he know that Uncle Ma
than Hale had just composed himself
for snooze on the wide bench under
the open window of his shop, and was
listening intently.
There was suspicious moisture in
Uncle Nathan's eyes and a suspicious
culver on his lips. He was very fond
of his nephew and his pretty fiancee, and
he thought it really too bad that they
could not have their house. Here am
l." quoth Uncle Nathan to himself,
worth snug fortune, and no earthly
use for it, and really" And then and
there Uncle Nathan formed plan
which he resolved to put Immediately
into execution.
He said to Dan the next morning:
dan, want you to build house for
me-"
"A house for you, Uncle Nathan !?
What in the world do you want of a
house? Are you going to get married ?"
"That is none of your business" said
Uncle Nathan, irascibly. "Will you
undertake the iob?"
"Of course" replied Dan, who un-
stood the old gentleman's peculiarities.
Il want it to be commenced right
off," said Uncle Nathan, "and want
it built on that corner lot of mine where
the big elms stand. That's fine build
ing spot. It is to be cottage. You've
seen Ben Morrills? Well, that is the
style; only my cottage is to be ever SO
much prettier than his. I'll leave it to
your judgment and taste. Make it
just such a house as you'd like for
yourself; and you are not to bother
me about it. Hire all the workmen
you want; only get it done as soon as
possible. Call on me whenever you
want funds; expense is no object.
"Uncle Nathan, do believe you are
to get married. laughed the astonished
nephew.
Uncle Nathan's eyes twinkled as he
answered: "You build me q pretty
house, and I'll promise you there shall
be pretty woman in it within month
from the day it is finished"
So Dan went to work at Uncle
Nathan's cottage. He threw into it all
the taste, the pride, the enthusiasm,
which he would have bestowed upon
the ideal cottage of his own. When at
to him: snow, I want it furnished; !
don't know the first thing about the
furnishing of house; it takes woman
for that. So want Ermina Lowering
to select and arrange the filings. She
has more taste than any woman ]
know"
And Ermina, with carte blanche from
Uncle Nathan, went forth among the
furniture dealers. And presently the
house was all furnished from garnet to
cellar, and Uncle Nathan came with
Dan and Minnie to inspect It.
"Very good" said he, after tour
through the house; "and now here's
your pay" handing Dan folded paper.
Dan opened it. It was deed of the
cottage.
"Whyi Whyl Uncle Nathan, what
does this mean? p stammered Dan.
Ermina peeped over his shoulder.
co. you darling Uncle Nathan" she
cried, clapping her hands. @You meant
it for US all the time"
@Of course, little witch,' said Uncle
Nathan, pulling her curls.
SO, after all, Dan and Minnie were
married very soon, and began life in
this ideal cottage.
The Rise OF O French Marshal.