The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-03-28
7 H E c H U M S.

Tom Baker and were better friends
than most twin brothers are, yet we
were not kin to each other any more
than you or /. We hunted together,
We fshed together, VIC roomed together,
we slept together, we ate together, and
i am ashamed TO say that once in a
while we drank together bottle of
port or sherry.
Tom and / were loafers, yes, regular
built loafers. We had nothing to do
and didn't like to do that any oftener
than we could help it. Some folks
don't like loafers. Well never liked
but one and that was Tom Baker. /
loved him. He was my partner in every
thing, my other self, my shadow. You
know Pm not much account Tor any
thing; well, neither was Tom. We
had been to California together and
got enough gold to live off the interest,
and that's how it happened that we
always had good duds on aud kept
ourselves spruce like.
l own up that Tom played poker
good deal in California, and as for
me, / took game or two of seven.up.
But that's been long time ago, and
needn't be mentioned at all.
Tom and l was Just of an age to the
day-just of one size, and somewhat
alike in the face. Don't know but
Tom was rather the best looking of
the two; likely he was.
Msny's the time we've been in dam
ger together, Tom and l, and it so
happened that he saved my life twice
or three times. o, we'll, we are all
wrapped up in each other, bound to-
getber by cords of that kind of affection
that breaks but with breaking hearts.
Strange how two great rough men
should love one another as Tom and /
did.
We had our bachelor quarters over
Beckman Bank, just opposite Mrs.
Malone's boarding-house. Our win.
dows were little higher from the
ground than those of the boarding
house, and it so happened that we Oft
en- sat smoking, with our feet elevated,
looking over at the lady boarders and
making remarks about them. l re-
member that one of them was q slim
old maid, of whom Tom never tried
talking about, in his dry old way, oft
en- reminding me that she looked like
yard of calico wrapped around a
bundle of fishing rods. But this dosen't
belong to my story; I'm always get
teng off the subject.
One day Tom sat at one window
ard at the other. / recollect that
We had got fresh box of cigars that
day, good ones as ever / set teeth on.
Tom was gazing dreamily through his
smoke out across the street, and was
gazing just as dreamily at Tom. 1t
was an August morning, hot as fire,
and not breath of air that would
stir feather. We had off our coats
and vests, our shirt sleeves rolled up
and our collars thrown open. All was
still down in the street. o, it was red
hot out of doors, and still heating.
Suddenly Tom started little. /
thought he had burned his finger, for
he was knocking the ashes from his
cigar, but slowly look of wonder
spread over his big,good-humored face.
His eyes dilated pleasantly, he strOked
his beard aud smiled, gazing steadily
across the little sea of smoke rolling
of before him.
"Look, Ned. look !' said he in hall
whisper, motioning with his hand very
highly in the direction he vas looking.
l turned and saw, over in one of
Mrs. Malone's windows, the loveliest
girl that ever did live. Yes, sir, l
stick to it, she was sweeter and more
beautiful thar anybody's angel twice
as pretty as two angels, Tom used to
say but Tom would joke, you know
"A new boarder, ] reckon" said I,
feeling q curious shiver of admiration
go over me from toe to crown.
"S'pose Sc" added Tom. "Isn't she
a neat one, though"
/ thought she was, and so said to
Tom. But the girl happened to let
her great hazel eyes wander over to
our windows, and seeing US, she disap-
peared like q jsck-O'-lantern.
"Crackee-ee cried Tom. "What
bird she is Must ha' got away from
some menagerie, Ned"
"Come straight from heaven, more
like" said I.
bah get out your banjo, and sing
me a solo. None of your sentimentals
to me-" and Tom lit fresh figaro.
l sang kiss me Trough the Garden
Fence" Tom joined his splendid bari
tone to the chorus. Just as We were
ending the song and the accompani-
ment was swelling, rich and loud, on
the final ID chord, l saw the girl again
stand close to the window, as if listen
ing to our music.
"There she is again, the little
witchl' half whispered to Tom.
"Well, she's not going to hurt any
body" he answered, "let's stag Little
Nell, for her benefit"
So we sang the song and several
others. Finally, our little beauty dis
appeared entirely, and We saw her no
more that evening.
I'm afraid you can't fully under
stand just how matters stood betwixt
Tom and me. We'd ha' died for each