The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1876-01-05
Hiram Jenkins's Mistake.
by oH4RLEs E. nuRD.

Deacon Bates. It was plain to even
the casual observer, that the crrand he
was bound upon was Of no common
Importance. No man would have ar
rayed himself so gorgeously simply
for the purchase Of tub Of fall but
ter or a yoke Of oxen. His hair was
in state Of distressing smoothness,
and seemed almost part Of the CLOS
sy hat which covered 1t. His coat
and pantaloons were marvels in their
way, and his b0sls, which had been
deliberately blacked, reflected back
the rays Of the setting sun in man
ner perfectly bcwildering to the be-
holder. And yet. Notwithstanding his
superiority in all these respects to the
lilies of the field there was apparent
ia his action n singular sort Of nerv-
ousness, a trepidition almost, which
rendered bis Appearance at once ridic-
ulous and awkward. This trepidition
was il no wise lessened by the sudden
vision Of a red headed urchin watch
ing him from the barn door, and who,
as the team approached, with an even
widening grin. sned of in fha direc-
lion ~ fhe farm hopse and d;sannesr.
"a tbrough the kitchen door Hiram
was conscious q minute or two affer.
wards Of being the target for half
dozen pairs OF eyes through the sit
ting room windows, aud Il required
extraordinary strength of mind on his
part to drive past the house to the
shed where the horses of all visitors
were hitched. There are few more
awkward things to do than to get out
or in carrisge when women are
watching, and although Hiram had
probably never thought of the fact
until he had experienced its truth, as,
endeavoring to spring genteelly from
1.-the buggy, his foot slipped on the
wheel and ne came down on his hands
and knees IN the DIRT. Ills remarks
as he scrambled to bis feet we're con-
lined TO one word, but that. though
short was the most expressive one IN
the English language.
"l'll have TO 60 around to the barn
pump and wash my hands before !
can 60 IN, be said to himself. lsup.
pose they are having their fun in the
house nov. Confound 1t, 1 wish /.
hadn't started.
AS he pessed the door of the horse
barn which was partly open, he heard
the sound of voices. He listened, and
his heart sank as he recognized the
tones e. a::s s::S":s..', E.nathan hogers.
II want her bad" he was saying
eshe just suits me. You can't always
have her, you know, and you had bet
ter call the thing settled. >"
II don't know about that" answer,
ed the Deacon doubtfully. II had
always said, come what would,
wouldn't part VITA Jenny. lou naue
on So aons know
"Say it's bargain, Deacon. have
thought II over a good while, and Jen
| ny ] must have. I'll treat her we'll
/ you may be assured OF that
I The Deacon hesi.aiea' niew h'
nose, ana hnaiiy sa'a' Snes 20
some little tricks thar hoooey Know .
nothing about put me: ana uoh
want TO impose on aeighoor.
"Oh, psnaw tnets only an EXCUSE
Deacon. I'm Wiling 20 risk H.
"She kicked me ~ .ne stomach ias
winter, ana oit iilsie SAMMY hol 'nor'
tnan SIX weeks ago. can sno" yo'
the scar now.
"Great Kingl" thought Hiram
"and here ! was going 70 pop the ques
tion this very evening. Who eve
would have thought IT,"
( "I'll take that out Of her" said III
nathan. continuing the conversation
ssIf she so much as lifts foot agains