Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-08-11

where the preacher was goin' to hold
| quarterly meetin'. 1t was down in
Posey county, Indiany, in clearin' in
the woods, and all the houses was log
cabins with puncheon floors and stick
and-mud chimleys. They was the first
houses gran'dad had seen in four days
travel, and they looked mighty in
vitin'.
1.-THE preacher went to one house and
that he pinted out, for it might not be
convenient for one family to entertain
them both. Backwoods folks was
mighty clever, but sometimes they was
scarce in the matter of plates and
spoons, though they always had plenty
to eat, such as it was. and were glad 10
have company. The men folks ct with
their huntin' knives, and silver and pew
ter was not so common that they was
used every day and in every house.
We'll, as gran'dad was goin' in at the
door of the cabin where he was TO ask
for his dinner, he saw girl standin' at
the fireplace fryin' fish, the clearin' be-
n near the river. where fish WAS plea-
~. She was about IL, was barefoot and
had on blue Iinsey wool dress. Her
hair was yaller and her cheeks was like
red apples. Gran'dad he walked up TO
her and give her look. She looked at
him, blushin' a little, and her blue eyes
dancin' with mischief.
'How-de-doY said gran'dad. You
amt the woman of the house, know.
for you amt married The girl
laughed and blushed more than ever
as she said she wasn't the woman of
the house. Ny, you're purity gran'dad
said. I'm mighty glad you amt mar
ried, but you're too purity TO stay
single
Maybe you're lookin' for a wife,
said the girl, still laughin' as though it
were mighty good joke.
Now, gran'dad hadn't a notion of
gettin' married till that minute, but
something seemed to strike him all of
heap just then. His legs shook under
him like green hunters does when he
sights his first buck. Great drops Of
sweat came out on his face, and his
mouth felt as dry as though he had a
tech of fever. This passed off in less
time than it takes me to tell it; then he
braced up and come little nearer to
the blue-eyed girl. He gave sort of
gasp, as if he had been runnin' hard,
then said, quite steady and earnest:
Yes, l am lookin' for wife, and you
suit me first-rate. win you have mer
THE purity girl didn't laugh any
more, for she see that he was in earnest.
"'Have your she said, so astonished
she could hardly speak. You must be
crazy! l don't even know your name,
and you don't know mine
well, my name is Tom Martini
gran'dad said, serious and steady. Il
am from Virginny, and I'm going to |
Illinoy TO take up claim. I've got S700 |
in money; don't drink nor swear, am |
A church member and % years old. |
What's your name?'
"'Jane Smith, she answered, taking |
up the fish and putting some more in
the pan.
"'Well, Jane Smith, l like your looks
md | like you. VIII you have me, now
Or never?'
Well, don't mind, said Jane, think
n ii over until the last piece was in the
,an and the grease sputterin' away at
! great rate. don't mind, and / don't
are IL 1 do
Now, guess you think grandad put
lis arms round her and kissed her and
aid something soft. for that's what
olks always do in story books when
rirl says she will have 'em, but he didn't.
lie knowed better. The chance was that
Tane, bein' proper brought up, would
ave clipped him side of the head with
he fryin' fork. So he just went TO the
Ioor and sung out to the circuit rider
o come there. The preacher he come
n hurry. Grandad told him in few
words that he wanted TO be spliced TO
ane Smith. then and there. He didn't
SIX no questions, the preacher didn't,
nut told them to jine hands. James
mother had been TO the spring to fetch
ONE water and just now come in. Her
ather and brother had been in the
table givin' the horses their noon feed,
nd they happened in; then all stood
tarin' as il they were daft, while Jane
I'D down the fork she's been turnin'
sh with, gave her hand TO grandad.
nd they were man and wife in less
han two minutes. Then Jane went on
ryin' fish for dinner.
THAT evening they had big supper,
II word had been sent all around the
ettlement inyitin' people to come, and
fter supper there wuz some whisky
runk, for in those days preachers and
eacons took their dram regular and
ever thought of doin' any harm. There
as dancin', too, and the young men
ore moccasins they had made them
lives. and most of the girls was bare
,ot. The bride borrowed a pair of
1whide shoes and tuck-comb for the
lrty. put on her best linsey gown and