Year: 1873

/ NOtNVo III taIod9 NoOdc iNtAbo "a
similar experience | once had in
Ohio" said the old pioneer, as he
shook with suppressed emotion, but
whether of sad or pleasant nature
could not be ascertained in the dim
light of the fire place.


Let us hear the yarn" we sug-
gested, with reportorial eye TO an
item for consideration in dull sea-
son.


"Oh, it amt any yarn, | assure
you,n said the old man, as he chuckled
and grinned. until glacial move
ment of tobacco juice started from
each corner of his mouth and pushed
its way slowly down the wrinkles
that led to his stubble-covered chin
below. "Shut the door there-so
that mother can't hear what is going
on, and will tell you how came to
get married"


We complied with his request, and
after storing away fresh deposit Of
the weed that cheers but don't ine-
| briate," he drew his chair close to US
and commenced:


ut was in the year 1850 that /
came to Cleveland, and became en-
ployed in a hardware store on Snpe-
rior street. ] had spent all my pre-
vious life on farm, and become tired
of tramping around over the pas
lures, foddering sheep and cattle in
winter, and working still harder in
the summer ! won't say anything
about the difficulties | experienced in
getting employment upon my arrival
in this city, nor how l tried every
place in the town before / could find
a boarding-plaee that suited me, until
/ became acquainted with widow
lady who kept few boarders on
what's now known as Euclid Avenue.


"My landlady was accomplished,
and had evidently seen better days,
but the death of her husband left her
in reduced circumstances. She had
two daughters, both lively, intelligent,
and possessed of graces that only
come from association with the better
class Of society. They were of ex-
tremely gay disposition, and | had
not been at the house month before
| was hopelessly in love with Fanny,
the eldest, and though at times her
manner toward me was tender and
encouraging, she carefully avoided
giving me an opportunity to be alone
with her long enough to declare my
passion


"The winter had nearly passed
without finding me any farther ad-
vanced in my suit, until one night in
February, after heavy fall of snow,
] asked Fanny to take a sleigh-ride
with me, to which she consented, and
after tea ! procured as high stepping
pair of horses as could be found in
the city, drove up to the house of my
affinity, and in few minutes we
were whirling away out on the Clcvc-
land and Medina turnpike. had
taken that road partly because it led
towards my old home, and also
owing to its being less travelled at
night than the other thoroughfares
leading from the city, and we were
not likely to be interrupted in our
ride or conversation. The night was
Just cool enough to make it necessary
to put my arm around my companion,
the horses were frisky, the moon
shone with that peculiar light which
is preferred by lovers to all others,
unless it be that of a parlor lamp
turned down so low that as an illu-
minator it is nearly useless


Through Brooklyn township we
whirled out into the country, where
the lights from the farm-houses> be-
came more scattered, and the baying
of the Watchdog was the only sound
heard Fanny, who had previously
sang, laughed and chatted merrily on
our ride, now became quiet. As we
came to rise in the road that dis
closed level strip two or three miles
in length before US said to myself,
Before we have travelled the road
now in view, will settle my fate,
and go home happier or more mis-
cradle man.


Hardly had | come to this con-
clusion before heard peculiar rush.
ing sound behind us. and looking
a,ound could see flock of sheep COM
ing at full speed toward us, and i'm
mediately behind them were two or
three dogs, which accounted for the
fright of the sheep, which would
doubtless run for miles before stop
ping, and cause their owner much
trouble in hunting them up. But
bright thonght came to me. Fannie
was city girl, and had never seen a
sheep save in the shape of outlets or
roast at her mothers table. | would
indulge in a strategy ofthe kind which
is considered fair in love or war
Lowering my voice to the stage Jib-
benainosy where he speaks of the
death Of his parents. wife and friends, |
Il Al Il 4