The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-12-01
"I want something of you," sal

take a lady. Have you any little
light wagon, and a horse, of course
that you could hire me for the eve.
ning3 I'd rather go alone with her
than in the big wagon. You know,
I'm sure, how it is-that fellow had
rather ride alone with a pretty girl
and if you'll help me out I'll be ever
SO much obliged to YOU"
So he had come to ask me to helm
him to have nice time with my girl
he who had cut me out. l looked
at him, just holding my hands still by
main force, and thought of him rid.
ing along the moonlight road, with
Fanny close beside him. I asked
myself whether his arm would not be
around her waist, and whether in the
shadows, as they fell little behind
the others, he would not kiss her.
"And you want me to help you! I" l
sad aloud. "Me?"
"Yes," he said, "pleaoe."
"Come along" ! said; "I'll show
you what I've goS."
On the farm that was mine there
was one building, a little COW shed.
We put.the tools in there sometimes,
and l had paddock for the door, and
the key was in my pocket. 1t came
into my head that l could spoil bis
evening for him, and spite Fanny, too,
by locking him in the shed. And if
he had spirit to fight me for it after
wards, so much the better. And | led
the way down into the meadow where
it stood, and unlocked the door.
"Just look in," said /, "and see if
that will suit you."
Cant see anything" said he. ats
pitch dark. Wait, l have a match"
He took one from his vest pocket
and stopped to strike it on the sole of
his boot, and then I gave him a push
and over he went, and / had the KEY
in my pocket.
you'll not make any one hear very
soon. lad" said I, grinning to myself,
"and you'll not kiss Fanny Martin GO
ing over the bridge this evening"
Then / went away and laid myself
fiat upon the porch in front Of the
house, and felt happier than I had be-
fore for a long time. Revenge is sweet
now and then. l don't pretend TO have
none of the old Adam in me. I'd
been there about half an hour. and
the chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp of the
criokets was lulling me off to sleep,
when suddenly heard little light
step close beside me, and saw wo-
mans white dress iuttering, and Jump
ing up, stood before Fanny Martin.
The first thought that came into nv
mind was that she was looking for her
beau, and it made me fiendish.
"That you, Miss Martin ?" said I.
eyes, Mr.. Burling," said she; and
though I'd said Miss Martin how it
hurt me not to be called Ben. az
came over to see your mother. Is she
in"
"No," said 1; "gone to prayer. meet
ing at Deacon Dull's."
"Then I'd better go home," said she;
but she fingered.
"Not looking for any one else," said
1.
"No." she said, very sadly. "Good
night"
But could not let her go without a
cut.
81 thought you'd be on this wonder
full moonlight drive" said I.
There you were mistaken" said
she.
"Did he forget to come for you ?'
said l-"Mr. Williams, you know"
al haven't been asked to the drive" t"
said she. 81 don't know why you
speak so. The city folks are all by
themselves, said Mr.. Williams, I sup
pose, is with the lady he's engaged to.
She came down last week with her
mother"
"Oh," said I, and I began to wish
had asked few more questions before
locked young Williams up in the
cow-house.
We stood still apart from each other.
saw her lip quiver. Was it for himi
Had he Tilted herr That was tit for
tat, anyhow. But she was so pretty,
and so sad, and so winning, felt my
heart give throb. / took step near
er--she took another.
ooh, Ben," cried she, 81 can't stand
il if you stay angry with me. / al
ways have liked you the best, but
you've been so awfully cross" and she
was crying on my shoulder.
Did you ever make up with some
one you'd quarreled with, loving her
all the time? Did you ever feel. hold
ing the deer face between your two
palms, pressing sweet kisses on the
dear, soft mouth, that it had all come
back, all the old love and trust and
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