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

celebrate her recovery. She looked |
the very picture of happiness and
beauty, and was, of course, attended
by her three lovers.
Towards the close of the entertain
ment the trio, by appointment, met in
secluded spot, having decided to
come to some determination regarding
their hopes OF becoming the husband
of jeanette.
"This must end" said Pierre, "for
we all love the girl"
"True," responded Claude.
Jean was silent and sad.
"Have you nothing to say ?" -
Yes replied Jean; 81 have
proposition to make"
~"What is it ?"
jeanette, you know, can marry but
one of u.s.
"No one will be fool enough-to dis
pute that fact" said Claude.
There are two too many in the
field let us fight, and whoever is vic.
torious shall claim her as fairly his"
81 have something else to suggest" "
said Pierre. "Let ms play for her, land
the game decide her choice. Are you
both willing?"
"The result will be the same to me,
no matter what we do," replied
Boileau; cas-, no matter what course is
taken, must lose. 1, however, prefer
a fight, because I have the chance of
being killed, which is preferable to
life without the woman | love-"
"Well, let us draw; fate shall de-
cide," replied Claude.
A cent was thrown into the air, and
the decision made that they should
fight.
The following day the three rivals
met in the cemetry, the place appoint
ed for the combat. The proper pre-
liminaries were observed, and the bat
tie about to commence in good earn
est, when jeanette suddenly appeared,
Her cheeks were pale and stained with
tears. 81 know ALL" she said, "and
there must be an end to this strife"
"And so there will be, if you will
let us alone for about an hour" ex-
claimed Pierre, provoked at the inter-
ruption.
"Hold your tongue. When choose
to have the matter end it will do so,
and not until them" responded jean
ette. "How could you give me so
much trouble? So you were going to
fight, and perhaps kill each other, in
order to gain my favor? Foolish fel.
lows, not to remember that had one of
you been spared, he would have been
hateful to me, owing to the loss of the
others"
II did not think of that" said
Pierre
"Woman.like, would have dearly
loved the dead or wounded, continued
Jeanette, "and your trouble, if victo-
rious, would have been for nothing
but frown."
Jean sighed, and regretted silently
not to be either dead or wounded.
"The matter can be amicably set
tled," added the young girl; but first
l must receive your promise to do just
as 1 bid you"
} A unanimous promise was instantly
given, and jeanette resumed:
, II love YOU all now as though you
: were my brothers; but the day in all
probability will come, when | will
choose one of you for my husband. Ir
! order to decide the question, you mus
: each leave the village and remain
, away three years. On your return
yoa will tell me in what manner you
3 occupied your time during your alb
/ sence. He who loves me best anC
! merits me the most, | will accept-wil
t marry. Now let us shake hands ant
8 part"
S And so it was arranged. The un
: derstanding being concluded, the three
r faithful subjects conducted their queer
}, to her cottage, and there bade fare
D we'll.
: 1t was a bright summer morning
when the friends set out on their jour
a ney, determined to abide by the prom
/ ise faithfully pledged.
: The curate, who had known then
from their birth, celebrated mass 70
q the benefit of their souls; and th
: whole village bade them God-speed.
/. After the departure of the thre
young men, Jeanette lived as she haC
Y always done, rising with the sun, sing
ing with the birds, gathering the sweet
y est flowers, doing good to all, particu
y larly the poor, and toiling faithful,
/ to add to her little store. At time
!. the shadow of faint cloud woul,
t gather upon her fresh young face, AM
: she seemed absorbed by some secre
I thought. re--. ---...-.
y "She is thinking of Pierre" mur
O nnnred old Eather Simon. her neigh