Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

LANSING TOWNSIIII' ANDI CITY, WIT-H HISTORY

531

law and only seven more are likely to get through," he asserted
by way of leading up to his news.
"Oh, that is too bad-I suppose you will be going back to the
store of Jacob Sumner. I hear the girls over at Utica, in Macomb
county, are very attractive," replied Sarah. That is we can guess
she did.
"Huh!-girls in Utica-why they are that homely I was always
glad when they kept their faces far back in their sunbonnets. I
had a tough time driving old Sumner through the woods from
Macomb county for the Legislature last winter, but now I am
glad I came," continued Edward.
"Why are you glad you came?" This from Sarah. Then
there ensued a panic in her heart for fear he would tell. Probably he was on the point of telling the truth, but he explained as
follows:
"Well, you see, I have got a job in the Auditor General's office.
Auditor General John J. Adam is going to take me in. He is
sure John Swiggles, Jr., is to succeed him-the politicians have
been fixing it up the last few days-and I will stand all right with
him, too, and so remain here."
By this time the young folks, let us guess again, had reached
the Benton House. They paused and looked down the hill toward
the wooden bridge across the Grand on the Jackson road. The
old stage, with six mud-bespattered horses, straining under the
long lash wielded from the driver's seat, were just coming up the
hill.
It was a warm day in March and seemingly the whole hotel
full of men swarmed out to get the papers and the news.
"My, how pa and Mr. Bush did drive to get this tavern ready
for the opening of the Legislature-everyone said they couldn't
do it, but they did," continued Sarah in the way of safe conversation. "Ann Cochran, who caine over here with her brother,
Henry, from Woodhull, to do the cooking, told ma the other day
that if it were not for so much cheap whiskey helping out as filling
that they never could fill all these men with food. How Ann
does hate the black waiters pa and Mr. Bush hired from a lake
boat at Detroit to come up here during the session."
By this time the spring-enchanted pair had turned down East
Main street, and, because of instinct they did not realize, they