Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-12-24

falling more gently, and in the East faint
luminous strealIs of silver gave signs of n
perfect moonlight night. He turned with
brighter face, and spoke cheerfully:
The storm is evidently about over. If
no more snow falls the roads will be fair,
and If we can get TN carly start i'll the
morning think we can manage TO get back
home before midnight-at least some time
before Santa Claus comes down the chin
ney," he added, mP"rly-" but see here,
little wife, l almcs forgot the good news
that have to tell you. Parson Stanley
settled that old account with me to-day
paid me every dollar, and interest besides,
and here it IS. Now 90 and put it in some
safe place. and take good care of it until /
come back. Next spring Wen puta face on
this old log house that our neighbors won't
recognize. Great guns I'd IKE to know
where all this cold air comes fromli' broke
off John, with sudden change of subject
Good evenin'l good evenin'l / thought
I'd walk right in without knockin', kind o.
neigbbor-like, yer KNOW and the some
what startled pair looked to see their neigh
Dor, Hiram Otwood, standing in the door
way.
''Jiminy man, you might as well kill n
fellow as 10 scare him to DEATH" good
naturedly exclaimed the honest host
springing up and placing char for his
queer guest.
'Do tell did / skecr yerl thought
made great rumpus as | come onto the
stoop."
ave were busy talking and didn't hear
you. Why, how blue you look! Here, take
my chair near the fire, Pm going into the
other room for awhile" and the kind
hearted hostess rose as she spoke.
30 no, Pm not bit cold. Just you keep
lp Of IN tod
ing into the proffered chair nevertheless
without any ado and spreading his rough,
cold hands in the very blaze of the cheer
full fire. ~ tried 10 git wife to come over
with me for u little chat this evenin, but
she was a-gittin' the Children TO sleep and
couldn't leavc,n and tho wretched
fellows teeth fairly cbattered as he
tried TO keep up show of conversation.
" I'm real glad that you've come over,
Hiram, for want TO ask You to keep an eye
on my premises while Pm gone down TO
the village"
"Jest SO! When be you goin'i" was the
quick inquiry.
ITO morrow morning, bright and early"
replied the other, "and can't get back un-
til real late tomorrow night"
Well, I'm gOin' down thar myself to-
morrow noon, but I'll have Hammer look
arter things"
sis that so;" inquired the astonished
John, for trip TO the distant village was
not an everyday event among those simple
mountain-dwellers.
Yes, that's so, but Mrs Comstocl1
feels at all skeered I'll have Hammer come
over and stay all night with her. saw
two or three InjuBs a-passn' down the
road to-day, and mabbe you'd ruther not be
Blone Mrs COmstock,n he said, addressing
Eer as she now appeared.
"lndeed, I'm not the least bit timid,"
was the spirited reply. "There's not
enough life left in one of those poor Great
ures to frighten u baby.n
"You're right. They wouldn't worry q
muskeeter But must be a-gon' now.n
And, rising, the awkward visitor drew an
old faded scarf from his pocket and enVel-
oped his head and neck in its folds. 'Where
be the boys to-nightn he suddenly asked.
"Oh, they've been abed an hour They're
going with me in the morning, you aow,n
and poor, tired John tried not TO look bored
as the fellow still fingered. A few moments
later he growled q sort of goodnight and
took his departure, slamming the door rs
he went
"As good and honest a soul as ever
lived" said the husband at last, daring TO
break the silence with hearty laugh.
"You don't suppose he is near enough TO
hear me, do youi I'm so sorry he's going
10 be gone tomorrow, for l should feel
perfectly easy about you If he were only
soing 10 be at home. III tell you what I'll
DO; III stop at Mrs. Otwood's in the morn.
Ing and tell her II any thing happens up
here, or II you want her you'll blow the
dinner-horn and let her know"
30, pshaw, joint what is going 10 hap
peni You go and get your kindllngs ready
for the morning, and don't let me hear any
more OF this nonsense" and she kissed the
shade Of anxiety of his face and went into
the little bedroom adjoining.
Long before sunrise the simple house
hold was astr, u hearty breakfast was
eaten, and half I'm hour later wOman's
forlorn figure might have been seen stand
ine alone in the road outside the humble
dwelling, In listening attitude, as the oc-
casional sound Of beloved voices came back
bsy N the still wiptry air. N0tuptIl the