Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-03-03
SANS STRATEGY.

FARMER henurlck nau brought In an
armful of snow-covered logs from the
woodpile at the north end of the house,
throwing them down on the stone
hearth with noise like small earth
quake, when Carrie Brown started up.
Five o'clock! Oh, l had no idea it
was so late. I must be going home.
"Allow me to accompany you, Miss
Brown"
"You will let me see you home,
Carrier"
Capt. Logan and Fred Jones both
spoke at once, but Carrie shook her
head.
Il prefer to walk alone" she said,
gayly.
About the sleighing party to-mor-
row night?" said Fred, anxiously.
Il have half promised Capt. Lo-
gam" said the village beauty, a rosy
tint suffusing her cheek.
But, Carrie, [ thought it was set
tied between you and me two weeks
ago." exclaimed Fred, with a frown.
WAS it? I'm sure l had forgotten
it."
Fred was silent. Capt Logan's
smooth, soft-toned voice broke the ST.
lence.
Il exact no promises" he said, gal
lantly, "but if l am not punctua1 to
the hour and the spot Miss Brown may
draw her own conclusions"
And Carrie went home.
She was very pretty, this bright
eyed, New England damsel. Fred
Jones had loved her ever since they
were children together, and Capt. Lo-
gan, who had come down to spend the
Christmas holidays with his cousins,
the Hendricks, had become so fond of
those bright, blue eyes and golden
hair that he had prolonged his visit in
to January.
"Pon my word, she's a regular
beauty" said the captain, staring
through the tiny window-panes at the
retreating figure of Miss Brown.
Fred Jones looked quickly up at
him, as if he would have liked to
knocked him over into the fireplace,
but he refrained from any such dem
Onstration.
"a beauty" went on the captain,
"and it's thousand pities she should
be wasted on any of the country
pumpkins who vegetate among these
wildernesses. SAM you young vii
lain, are those boots of mine BACKED
yet?"
Farmer Hendricks hired boy, who
had just come in to warm his purple
hands at the merry red blaze, looked
glum.
mo, they amt" said Sam, GROSSLY.
"Well, what's the reasOn?"
"'Cause [ amt 'ad time"
'See you find time, then, and that
quick, too" said the captain. And
Sam glcwered after him as he went
gayly up the stairs.
Just wish / had the firm of him
out" said the boy, gloomily. Its
Sam do this and Sam do that and
Sam, where's the warm water?' and
Sam. what the deuce do YOU mean by
lettin' my fire 90 out?' and not red
cent has he guy me yet--no, nor so
much as a pleasant word. l wonder if
he means to stay here always"
on and | are about equal in our
love of him, Sam" said Fred Jones,
laughing.
Il heerd him talkin' with Miss Car
RE about goin' sleigh-ridin' tomorrow
night" said Sam Shrewdly. I'D jes'
like to put Kicking Tom in the shafts;
| would if it weren't for Miss Carrie.
He don't know nothin' about horses,
that there militia cap'n don't" And
sam chuckled.
Il say, Mr.. Jones'" he resumed, "why
don't you get beforehand with him?
Miss Carrie don't really care for him;
she's only dazzled like"
Fred Jones frowned slightly; honest
Sam was not exactly the kind of Gany-
mede he cared to have NEEDLE with
his love affairs.
Miss Brown must choose for her.
self, Sam" he said, and Sam went
back to his work, secretly wondering
how a young lady, gifted with ordi
nary sense, could hesitate for mo-
ment between the captain and Fred
Jones.
The next night came-a perfect
night for sleighing expeditions and
rustic love-making, the roads hard and
well packed and a glorious moon shin
ing down whitley, as if a rain of silver
were deluging the whole world.
Couldn't be better weather." said
the captain. Sam, where are the
sleigh ells?"
Dunno" said Sam. There's them
old jinglers in the garnet that used to
belong to Deacon Joe Kendrick that
was in the revolutionary war, and
there's the two cow-bells that Mary
Jane might scour up with ashes -"
"Pshaw!" said the captain. "Do you
take me for Rip Van Wrinkle? There's
pretty little string somewhere, for I
saw them when Mrs. Kendrick went
out day before yesterday"
Il hain't seen nothin' on EN-" said
Sam, stolidly.
"Come, come, Sam, don't make your
self out any stupider than you be by
nature" said the farmer, laughing
nevertheless. for the captains airs
were fast wearing out his welcome,
and he secretly sympathized with the
much-abused Sam.
Il guess they're out in the barn
chamber. You better 60 with him.
captain, if you expect to find 'em-our
Sans dreadful thick-headed when he
chooses to be-"
Come along, my fine fellow" said
the captain, collaring Sam and march
ing him off in the direction of the old
red barn. "We don't need any lantern
in this moonlight, that is one COM
fort"
"Where are the stairs?" demanded
the captain, as they entered the barn.
"Ain't none," said Sam. Its a lad
der"
.TTp with va, +bap cold Toran