The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-11-03
KISSED BY MISTAKE.

a -- -
BYR.A. W.
"Will you be at home to night,
Mary ~ rs t pr
And the speaker, a tall, muscular,
well.looking farmer, reddened to the
roots of bis hair, as though he had
committed some very wicked act in-
stead of asking simple question.
He was bashful, extremely so. was
James Brown, at least, in the pres.
ence of ladies, and, most of all, in the
society of the girl he loved.
Z How beenntrived to approach Mary
Williams on the subject Of his prefer
ence for her, probably remains as
much q mystery to himself as it is to
others. ss
james was worth, in worldly way,
more than any Of her suitors good.
looking and Intelligent enough to sat
isfy any one but au over fastidious
perSon. --.a-a---t
Mother is going over to Aunt Ems.
to spend the evening, and wants me to
go; hat i Ssn't Pve been working
on fathers shirts all day, besides do
ing the dairy work, aud ain as tired
as / can be; so they will have to do
without me. Don't come until eight
o'ci,ack y shall be through putting
things 10 rights then, and will let you
in." qaltng laein9
OF course James so far forgot his
bushfulness as to petition for good
bye kiss, which was peremptorily re-
fused. r ~
mo, | shan't /. Think I didn't see
you fdgeting round Sarah Jones yes-
terday? I've not forgotten that, sir r
"Now, Mary-''''' al
But the appeal was broken off by a
tantalizing little laugh, and as he
sprang forward to take pleasant re-
venge on his tormentress, she ssl5pued-
away, and ran up the path to The
house, where he saw her wave her
hand as she disappeared within the
kitchen porch. 1
And then he turned from The gate,
and took the road homeward.
L e tea.thiDgs had been carried out,
the table set back against the wall,
and Mary's workstand drawn up in
front of the blazing FIRE. m., =,
Mary W S sewing aud thinking how
she could tell her mother she expected
avisitor. 4 81 81 Ir II LF
She would have given the world to
be able to say, in au oE,handed man.
ner, that she expected Mr.. Brown to
drop in about eight.
IL shall not dare to tell her; she'll
be sure to think wished to get her
out of the way, so | might have James
ali III &c myself. and should never hear
the last uf it,"
And, like wise little puss, she was
silent.
You would not have wondered at
our young farmers enthralment, if
you could have seen Mary Williams
as she sat by the freside that cold No
veniber eRening. ~
A neatly fttsig, dark calico, with
the new look still on it, fresh linen
collar, and.tasteflil Cbiack apron. :
These were the chief items of Mary's
toilet; but she locked as sweet aud
dainty in her plain dress as if hours
had been spent in donning laces and
jewels. ff'.lte h.isk
Eight o'clock aud past.
Mrs. Williams was doing in her
chair-her shadow on the wall hobbed
about in grotesque mimicry as she
nodded to and fro, and her fat hands
lay listlessly in her lap,and her ball of
yarn had rolled out upon tie hearth,
and puss was busy converting it into
Gordisn knots. ff g. 80
And just then came a double rap at
, the door-so loud, so sudden, so self
assured. that Marv started up, with a
little shrek, and set her foot on the
cats tail. who. in turn, gave voice to
her amazement aud displeasure.
The combined noise aroused Mrs.
Williams. and, starting into an erect
posture, she rubbed her eyes, settled
her cap border, aud EXCLAIMED:
BLESS my soul, Mary! What was
that? Somebody at the door? Who
can he coming at this time of night ?"
ut is not late, mother-only little
after eight. I'll GO aud see who it is, !"
said Mary, demureiy, taking the can,
die from the table.
''No You wind up my ball, and
sweep up the hearth while ] go TO the
door" said the old lady, whose feet
were struggling in the meshes Of the
unraveled yarn. "Drat that catl"
And all this time James was stand
ing on one foot in the cold porch, with
his hands in his overc0at pockets,