The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1874-09-23

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Clara asked one day as they were
planning for the future.
"Do you think you would like the
life on farm, Clara?"
"Any life with you, darling. Oh,
Philip, you don't'know how l love you,
and how sweet it will be to help you
bear the burden of life."
Tears of Joy rolled down Philips
cheeks as he held the dear one to his
bosom.
"When we are married wo will de-
eide upon our future home. 1 shall
wish you to select it,"
And the morning of the wedding at
length arrived. Before the invited
guests had assembled Philip placed in
Clara's hands a large sealed envelope.
at is for you to give to your father"
he said. VI
"Shall l give it to him now?" she
asked.
"If you look at the superscription
you will SEQ that the present is hardly
the proper time"
She looked and read:
"For DIR. Amos Palmer, as a slight
token of love and devotion from his
daughter Clara Bartol."
She blushed and trembled, but she
was very happy.
"Is it poetry?" she asked, feeling
the crumbling paper within the en-
velope.
"No, sweet love, is it prose-"
In time the company we're assem-
bled, and Philip and Clara knelt be-
fore the aged clergyman.
When the ceremony was. completed,
and the happy pair had beer duly sa-
luted and congratulated, Clara remem-
bered the envelope, and she carried it
and gave to her iather.
"Claral what is that?" he cried.
"Open the envelope" whispered
Clara. "Philip says it Is prose. want
to see. He says it is my gift. Oh, l
hope it will please you"
The doctor tore open the envelope,
and the enclosed papers were revealed.
First was the mortgage decd upon his
estate, cancelled. Next were half a
dozen promissory notes given to diff
ferent individuals at different times,
with the name of "Amos Palmer" at
the bottom; and the word "paid" had
been written across their faces in red
ink. Last was another envelope in
which was found a check for $4,000.
Just then Philip came up.
Clara caught him by the arm and
the old man stood pale and trembling,
as the poor fisherman might have done
when he first saw the genii emerging
the bottle.
"My dear father" said Philip with
smile, at the same time winding his
arm around Clara and drawing her
close to his bosom, "when l told you
that was an orphan with no near rel.
atives living, 1 did not tell you all my
misfortunes-or fortune if you please
so to call it-of having had landed
upon my youthful shoulders an estate,
which, when | returned from India, l
found had grown to immense proper
tions. Do you wonder that felt anx-
ious? Do You wonder that 1 felt a
strong desire that the woman who was
to make and bless homo should sepa.
rate me from my outer fortune? Atall
events think l have done wisely and
well. think l have done the best
thing l ever did. What think you,
darling?"
"PhilipW
"No tears now, my precious wife,
We will have your blessing tather?"
The old physician struggled up from
his state Of bewilderment and. caught
Philip by the hand. Then he took the
hand of his daughter, and he held the
two together.
"Bless you, my children! Heaven
bless and keep you forever! Philip,
but l do not fear to say that you have
gained a true and faithful heart. Such
daughter as she has been to me can
not make other than a royal and de-
voted wife"
Ay, Philip Bartol had done wisely
we'll. He had gained the chief JOY of
his home for the coming time, and he
knew that the true heart of his wife
was not to fail him while life should
endure.
An Irishman found a government