The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-08-25

when he interrupted by:
"Then don't lose time. See to the
kettle. I'll boil the eggs"
Similar behavior from some other
people might have given offense, but
there was such quaint, odd way
about Jerry that robbed it of that
power. He was so old, and snapped
and snarled as if really his suggestion
was the result of deep-rooted meanness
instead of the contrary. Mrs. Weston
did make some demur, but Jerry shut
her up at once.
III see. She's frightened at your
taking tea with such a fascinating
young fellow as / am" he said.
Leave the door ajar, then the old
lady can take squint at us now and
then, and join the talk. I'm wild
young sprig, l confess"
Clare could not refrain from burst
ing into a merry peal OF laughter.
Jerry's gray eyes twinkling with de-
light under his shaggy brows as he
looked up at her.
Well, the two hustled about, the
cobbler certainly the briskest, until
finally they we're seated at a very
comfortable tea. During the meal I,
Mrs. Weston deemed it right to inform
their new friend something of their
history.
In her husbands LIFETIME they had
been well.to-do. At his death they
yet could have lived comfortable, had
not Mr.. John Bulge suddenly
brought heavy claims on the dead
mans property.
81 never quite understood what 1t
was--I only know he must have been
paid" said the widow dolorously.
"But we hadn't some papers we ought
to have had to prove it. Sc he took
from us every penny, and left us as
you now see."
"a confounded villain !" exclaimed
Jerry, cracking his egg with the bowl
of spoon, as if it had been Mr.. John
Budge's bald head he had got in un-
der it.
"Then all our friends deserted US"
Except one," broke in Clare, with
frightened color, which was not un-
noticed by the cobbler.
"But one as yet," added the widow.
"He is gentleman, Mr.. Crayshaw,
who-who was once great friend OF
my daughters. He was in Australia
at the time of our trouble. and though
we wrote to tell him, we have not
heard a syllable since. You know the
world, Mr.. Crayshaw."
81 90 ma'am!" answered Jerry, EN-.
phatically; 'and know it's sight
better than people try to make it."
"Ah" cried Clare, gratefully, her
face radiant, as involuntantly she ex-
tended her hand, "you think he may
be true?"
"He'd be the greatest villain under
the sun if he were not, my dear !" said
the old man, cheerily; adding to him
self, "poor child-poor child she
then has to learn that lovers vows are
easier broken than shoe strings, and
thought about as little"
After this, still protesting it was
cheaper for him, rs miser, to supply
Mrs. Weston's FIRE than burn one OF
his own, he frequently passed his eve.
nings with them. He also procured
Clare some shoebinding to do, which,
though hard and difficult work, was
something.
At the end of the week, he was
grimacing at boy through the boots
in the window, when Clare came to
pay the rent.
"Take it away" he said "let it
stand over"
"Oh, we could not think of that r.
began the girl. 1--WE were going to
ask you if you would not mind por-
ton Of it being left for rext-"
"Take it awayI' reiterated Jerry,
getting into fury; 81 won't touch a
farthing! l like being a creditor-for
l can charge interest p
This kindness after all you have
done" sobbed Clare, her tears fall.
ing.
"Go away!" roared Jerry II amt
going to have a scene here-they'll be
taking me up for assault and battery
next Be off, and I'll be up to tea in
five minutes"
"Bless your generous heart, which
no assumed roughness can hidel" ex-
claimed Glare gratefully, as she hur-
ried from the shop.
Sitting down, Jerry bent his head
on the counter, and bright tears
trickled from his eyes into the boot on
his lap.
"Poor thing-poor thing" he mur.
INJURED "she's yet to learn that VOWS
are broken easier than shoe strings,
and"
He was interrupted by the shop