Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-05-09
SAM OUTWiTTED HIM,

Farmer Kendrick had 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 a small earth
quake, when Carrie Brown started up.
Five o'clock! Oh, l had no idea it
was SO late. l must be going home"
ALLOW me to accompany you, Miss
Brown"
You'll let me see you home, Carrier
Capt Logan and Fred Jones both
spoke at once, but Carrie shook her
head.
Il prefer to walk home alone" she
said, gayly.
How about the sleighing party to-
morrow night" asked Fred, anxiously.
II have promised Capt. Logan, .
said the village beauty, a rosy tint suf-
fuSing her cheek.
But, Carrie, L thought it was settled
between you and rhe two weeks ago.
exclaimed Fred, with a frown
''Was it? l am sure l had forgotten
it."
Fred was silent. Capt. Logan's
smooth, soft toned voice broke the
silence.
Il exact no promises" he said gal
lantly, but if l am not punctual to
the hour and the spot Miss Brown
NAV 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
Logan, 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 into 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 knock
him over into the fireplace, but lie re-
Trained from any such demonstration
"A beauty" went on the captain,
land it's a thousand pities she should
be wasted on any of the country bump
kins who vegetate among these wilder
nesses. Sam, you young villain, are
those boots of mine BACKED YETI"
mo, they amt" said Sam, GROSSLY.
''Well, what's the reason?'
!" Cause | amt had time"
See you find time then, quickly,
too" said the captain. And Sam
gloWered after him as he went gayIy
up to the stairs.
Just wish | had the firm of him
out" said the boy, gloOmily. It's
Sam, do this, and Sam, do that and
sam, where's the warm water? and
Sam, what the deuce do you mean by
letting my fire go Out?' and not a cent
has he guy me yet-no, nor 50 much as
a pleasant word. | wonder if he
means to stay here always?"
You and | are about equal i'll our
love for him, SAM" said Fred Jones,
laughing.
81 heered him taIkin' with Miss Car
RE about goin sleigh ridin' tomorrow
night, said Sam, shreWdly. I'D jes'
like to put Kicking Tom in the shafts,
He don't know nOthin' about horses,
that there militia cap'n don't" And
Sam chuckled.
4 say, Mr.. Jones. 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 young lady gifted with ordinary
sense, could hesitate for a moment be-
tween the captain and Fred Jones.
The night came-a perfect night for
sleighing expeditions and rustic love
making, the roads hard and we'll
packed, and a glorious moon shining
down Whitley, as if rain of silver
were deluging the whole world.
couldn't be better weather." said
the captain. sam, where are the
sleigh bells?"
Dunno" said sam. There's them
old jinglers in the garnet that used to
belong to Deacon John Kendrick, that
was in the Revolutionary war, and
there is the two cOw-bellS that Mary
lane might scour up with ashes
''Pshaw!' said the captain. ''DO you
take me for Rip Van Wrinkle?
There's a pretty little string some
where. for | saw them when Mrs. Ken
drick went out day before Yesterday"
n hain't see 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.
You had better go with him, captain,
if you expect to find 'em; our Sam is
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. 1--WE don't need any lantern
in this moonlight, that is one comfort "
''Whnrn GRO thp StaiI.S - demanded