The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-11-22


hank. As reached the summit eagerly
cast my eyes about for the expected dug
out.
What was that saw mile ar so away
One, two, three windmills- rising out of
what looked like city In the earlier stages
OF Its growth. There seemed to be- barns
AMI houses and sheds and corrals enough
for N.l the people and all the cattle In the
county. l cogitated moment, then an
idea--a pleasant idea-struck me, and
directed my course toward the newly dis
covered goal. This, said, by way Of
explanation to Chesapeake, lis Birch's
ranch that we hear SD much about. We're
right In one of his pastures now, and
didn't have sense enough to know II"
This WAS eyidently satisfactory to Chesa-
peake, for he pricked up his ears and
moved on at good gait. Perhaps he
smelled pie
Birch was indeed a well known name in
that part of the country. His ranch, the
largest anywhere around, embraced thou
sands of acres of fertile prairie, over which
wandered myriads of cattle. His beauti-
full residence In Hays had frequently
seen and had heard the widest accounts of
the elegance of his rural home.
1--WE shall see" thought /, whether or
not shall get the entree To his select cir
Gle. don't suppose do look very invit-
ing"
tied my long suffering quadruped to a
fence post, and with JOY in my heart and
ice water in my boots passed up the walk
TO the largest of the houses-a big, square,
buff colored structure with broad piazzas,
which at another season might have been
described as inviting.
PLEASE tell Mr.. Birch would like to
see him." said to the housemaid who
answered my vigorous ring ut the bell.
walk in, sir, was the response, and /
was conducted into little Office or recep-
ton room where blazed cheerful fire. 1t
certainly did feel good to get close to that
fire. took off the rest of my gloves, and
untying my scarf removed my hat un-
buttoned my coats and allowed the CRATE.
full warmth to penetrate the rest of my
garments, and vapor rising from the
damp clothes made me look like an ema-
ciated cherub riding in cloud
A door opened and Mr.. Birch entered.
A short, thickset man no was with a sun
tanned face, little gray mustache and
small, twinkling eyes, He shook my hand
with heartiness that made me feel at
home Immediately, and as soon rs he dis
covered how wet and cold was "a room,
gallons of hot water and whole layout
Of dry clothes were at my disposal in a
jiffy.
1t Is true, the clothes were from the
wardrobe Of Mr.. Birch himself, who meas
ured IL inches more around the waist
than / did, besides being q foot or so
shorter. But what did l casv for thats
put them on and went down to the parlor,
where the family were assembled, and the
hearty reception they gave me made me
feel quite happy, even II my collar was
IL and my makeup altogether ludicrOus-
Faithful old Chesapeake had heaping
measure of oats for his Thanksgiving din
ner, served in clean, warm stall No
putting ON airs now about eating them
either, for the days hard experience had
temporarily sObered his Maynard spirit.
II his dessert was missing, he took 1t phil
osophically. thought of him when was
at dinner, but couldn't muster the courage
TO ask Mrs. Birch for piece of pie for
Chesapeake when had already eaten two
myself Howard Seely in Path
finder.