Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-09-14
JASPER'S WOOING.

JAOf Lii y WUUlNU.
Jasper Greene dismissed the driver
when he reached the wharf after cross
ing the Ottawa at the Four Corners and
.ooked round for Daoust to carry his
baggage up to Labelle's as in days of
yore. But old Daoust was dead and
therefore could not come.
Millette put the heavy trunk on a
truck sleigh and began to trot along the
wooden wharf. Then, when Millette
paused for breath, Greene pushed the
old man aside and took hold of the truck.
"Say, Millette, I'll wheel this up for 80
cents for you," he said.
Millette ran painting alongside. "Ah-h,
Ee droll monsieur. 1t will provide for ze
christening"
Greene stopped short. "What, an
otherl" he said in pretended amazement
''How manyT" he asked briefly.
"Twenty-seven," rejoined Millette,
with i'll dissembled pride.
Greene stopped again and carefully
counted out 81 cents. Here's cent each
for your children, Millette. Don't stand
still any longer or you'll get frost bitten.
I dare not run the risk of having to pro-
vide for 81 orphans"
Millette took the money with profuse
thanks and hurried off, leaving Greene
to go on b Labelle's hotel with the huge
truck sleigh. By the time Jasper reached
the postoffiCe procession gradually
formed on the sidewalk to welcome him
back from Montreal. When Lily Labelle
saw him, she came out and promptly
gave the children a holiday for the rest
of the day. Then she joined him at the
head of the procession. When they
reached the veranda, the children gave
three cheers for Jasper and called for a
speech.
He waited for the crowd to disperse
before he approached Lily, who stood
leaning against the veranda, an amused
look in her dark eyes.
care you glad to see me-" he asked.
"Come in to dinner" she said. "I'll
answer your questions-some of them
afterward."
Mrs. Labelle greeted him with kiss
on both cheeks, while her husband bow
ed with grave politeness.
Lily seated herself at the upper table.
Jasper at once took possession of Lily
and held his prize against all comers,
especially the cashier of the Four Corners
bank. The latter was not easily discon-
certed, but prepared to demolish Jasper.
Miller, the cashier, asked her to 60 for
o sleigh ride that afternoon.
$50 sorry" drawled Jasper. "Miss
Labelle has been engaged to me for q
sleigh ride for year."
The cashier, without waiting for re-
ply, went angrily out.
Lily raised her eyes from her plate
"Why are you week before your time
Jasper?" she asked.
"That's the reason" said Jasper, indi
eating with fragment of mince pie or
his fork the retreating form of the cash
ier. eff I'm only allowed one sleigh
ride year, don't see why that fellow
should get ahead of me and have thret
q week."
"But your work, Jasper"
"Oh, McQuire's looking after that fol
me. Iexplained to him that it was rath
er important to clear up matters here
and so I came"
Lily had not expected her coquetry II
become known. "It is SO dull" she sait
In extenuation.
Jasper commenced another mince pie
"Don't be afraid of its being dull
while I'm here" he said, with sublime
self confidence. "You promised me on,
sleigh ride year for seven years if
wanted it, and / guess I'll take thi
years today"
Lily pouted. Jasper smiled and rum
pied his yellow hair.
"You'd better own up" he, said, witt
, unabated cheerfulness. "How soon Cal
you be ready?"
Lily was cowed. "Oh, in half an hour,
and ran away to get her things on.
When Lily came down arrayed in he
most becoming furs, Jasper smiled ap
provingly. "You only want some flow
ers to be perfect" he said.
Lily gave little cry. 'Ah, flowers
But they are impossible"
"Not at ALL" said Jasper, taking bo
from his pocket. Nothing impossibl
if you want it badly enough"
Lily opened the box and gave anothe
cry. "Orange blossomsl' she said.
"Yes," answered Jasper. From Flol
ida. People there stick the ends in ape
tato to keep them fresh. Capital dodge
, isn't itf'
He took out the orange blossoms, threy
, away the potato and pinned them to he
jacket.
"Now we're ready to start. Stop
,, momentp and he drew her back benin
! the curtain as the cashier drove past O
his way to the schoolhouse.
: Lily began to laugh. "It's very wicke
| of you, Jasper"
, "That will teach him to go sleighin
: with my sweetheart" said Jasper calm
: ly.
Lily protested: "You've no right I
say that, Jasper. / only promised you
Q sleighride once year for seven year
and then If / liked you well enough
, then perhaps might marry you"
! Jasper was drawing on his sealski
= gloves. "That's all very well" he sait
: ''but we haven't the time to waste whic
! those old Biblical people had. In seve
years time expect to be In the cab
: net"
q Lily followed him to the door only I
: racnil In dixmav. "That2H was all sh