The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1874-10-07

One DIlgDt evening Two men WeIe
seen walking on the outskirts of Paris
One carried q pickaxe and the other
a gun. A large spaniel followed, APP
parently weary with the days duties.
As they walked gently along, the me"
conversed earnestly.
al tell you Jeanette will marry
Claude" said the one bearing the pick
axe.
"And 1 bet you she will marry
Pierre"
"Why, it was but yesterday that she
danced four times with Claude"
"While to-day che gathered the
choicest flowers for Pierre"
"You are very obstinate, Andre"
"Not more than you, Father 81
mon," responded the young man. "of
one thing, however, l am very certain.
The girl will never marry JEAN"
"There / think you are right. The
lad is not handsome, and inclined to
be stupid ,~responded old Simon, sad
ly.
"Well, she must soon decide" con-
tinued Andre. "She is now nearly
eighteen, economical, careful and pref
ty; treasure for any man."
"That is so, and l wish was o
Younger man, that l might swell the
list Of her admirers; who knows but
could have a chance?"
They were at his instant interrupted
by a pure and lovely voice singing q
gay song, and, looking up, the two
men saw the subject of their converse.
tion busy gathering a bunch OF wild
| flowers.
"Why, jeanette, when one speaks O.
the angels their song is heard" ex
claimed the old man.
"Were you speaking of me, Father
Simon ?" she inquired, artlessly.
"Who else could occupy my
thoughts?"
"Come, tell me what you were say
ing" continued the girl, as she cullet
the last daisy in her pa:h,
swell, we were contending a point
namely, the question of who you vii
marry. One of us says it will b'
Pierre"
"Yes? And the other?"
"That your choice will fall upol
Claude"
(which Of us is right, jeanette !?
inquired Andre.
"Who knows?" sac replied, with {
merry laugh, as, placing the flowers il
her apron, she ran on before, singing
the second verse of the song their com
ing had interrupted.
"Did you see how she smiled whel
you mentioned Pierre?" inquired Fa
ther Simon.
Notwithstanding, l still adhere t
the belief that she will marry Claude
Shall we bet?" said Andre.
"As you will. Suppose we say goo
dinner?"
And SO it was arranged, as the
shook hands and turned towards tn
village.
jeanette, the subject of their di'
pute, was an orphan; her mother ha
died in giving her birth, and her fs
ther had sacrificed his life in the effol
to save some friends from the flame
of a|burning village.
"Should | die" he said to thos
surrounding him, 81 bequeath You m
child"
The poor fellow, by his braver,
succeeded not only in saving h
friends, but in arresting the flames
he, however, fell victim. The fam
lies saved from ruin accepted the legi
cy. The curate educated the littl
girl, and it was agreed that she shoul
pass one month of each year wit
twelve of the families who were be-
able to extend hospitality. When 81
had reached her fifteenth year, it ws
determined that dot or marriage po
ton should be given her. The pot
could contribute only eggs, chicken
and other matters, while those G
whom fortune had smiled gave libe
ally.
jeanette talked and laughed wit
Claude and Pierre, but no one coul
discover that she evinced any prefe
ence.
1t might have been matter of son
surprise that she had three decided a
pirants, had the reason not been eas
ly explained.
One night, two years before the stol
opened, Jeanette was suddenly seiz'
with illness; the physician was mar
> miles off and the night so fearful
stormy and dark that it was almo
impossible to leave the house. r
gardless of all risks, Jean started
once, but had gone but short di
= tance when his usual ill.iuck befe
him his horse stumbled and thre
: him, thus disIocating his ankle. Pier