The Van Buren press., 1895-03-09
SAM OUTWITTED HIM.
And Helped Fred Jones Get q
Pretty Wife.

| 61otty WAV'
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 small earth
| quake, when Carrie Brown started up
| "Five o'clockl Oh, had no idea 1t
was so late. 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.
II prefer to walk home alone," she
said, gayly. 1
| about the sleighing party to-mor-
row night?" asked Fred, anxiously.
IL have promised Capt. Logan"
said the village beauty, rosy tint suf-
fusing her cheek.
"But, Carrie, thought 1t was settled
between you and me two weeks agol"
exclaimed Fred, with frown.
"Was it? am sure had forgotten
It'll"
Fred was silent. Capt. Logan's
smooth, soft-toned voice broke the 81
lence.
II exact no promises" he said, gal
lantly, "but II am not punctual 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 Logan, who had
come down to spend the Christmas
holidays with his cousins, the Ken
bricks, had become SO fond OF those
bright blue eyes and golden hair that
he had prolonged his visit into Jam
uary.
"'Pon my word, she's regular
beauty" said the captain, staring
through the tiny windowpanes at the
retreating figure of Miss Brown.
Fred Jones looked quickly up at him
as II he would have liked to knock him
over into the fireplace, but he refrained
from any such demonstration.
IA beauty" went on the captain,
"and it's 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 blacked YETI"
mo, they ain't," said Sam, GROSSLY.
well, what's the reason?"
"'Cause l amt had time"
"See you find time, then, quickly,
! <<,<, co{1 <hn <ot, oxI Go II
cred after him as he went up the stairs
"Just wish had the FIRM Of him
out" said the boy, gloomily. "It's
Sam, do this and Sam, do that aud
Sam, where's the warm water? and
Sam, what the deuce do you mean by
letting my fire 60 out? and not cent
has he guv me yet-no, nor so much as
pleasant word. wonder II he means
to stay here always?"
"You and l are about equal In our
love for him, SAM" said Fred Jones,
laughing.
II heered him tallsin' with Miss
Carrie about goin' sleigh ridin' to-
morrow night" said Sam, shrewdly.
"Id jes' like to put Kicking Tom in
the shafts. l would II 1t weren't for
Miss Carrie. He don't know nothin'
about horses, that militia cap'n don't"
And Sam chuckled.
II 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 meddle 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 ordinary sense
could hesitate for moment between
the captain and Fred Jones.
The night came, q perfect night for
sleighing expeditions and rustic love-
making, the roads hard and we'll
packed, and glorio us moon shining
down Whitley, as II Q rain Of silver
were deluging the whole world.
Couldn't be better weather." said
the captain. 'Sam, where are the
sleigh-bells2"
Dunno" said Sam. "There's them
old jingles In the garret that used to
belong to Deacon John Kendrick, that
was in the revolutionary war, and there
is the two cowbells that Mary Jane
might scour up with ashes"
"Pshawl" said the captain. "Do you
take me for Rip Van Winl1le? There's
a pretty little string somewhere, for l
saw them when Mrs. Kendrick went out
day before yesterday"
IT hain't seen nothin' on 'em," 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.
II guess they're out out In the barn.
You had better go with him, captain,
II 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 of in the direction OF the old
red barn. 1--WE don't need any lantern
In this moonlight, that Is one comfort"
"Where are the stairs?" demanded
the captain, as they entered the barn.
Saint none," said Sam. ''It's lad
DER"
up with you, then, said Logan, but
Sam shrunk back.
II wouldn't, not for fifty dollars"
| said Sam. "Old John Kendrick hanged