The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-08-22
"A. 'A.NE'ER-DO-WELL." "
by ANNA SHIELDS.

side with her fathers, made fifteen
years before, did not speak for a mo-
ment.
For the invitation given, as a mat.
te, "Of course" came from her broth.
er-in.law, her mothers staunch friend
and adviser for many years, almost a
second father to her own shy self from
childhood. When he spoke as if there
was no question about his decision, it
was not easy for his timid little sister
in law TO dispute his assertion.
Was he not Maggie's husband, and
was not Maggie herself ten years old
or than Elsie, and Robert Wayne sew.
en- years older than his wife, actually
double Elsie's own age? Had not these
two controlled Elsie from her baby
hood far more than the gentle mother
lying in her newly made grave Could
she assert her independence to them
watching her with grave eyes, full of
wonder at her hesitation
Then between her own soft blue
eyes and the faces of Robert and Mag
gle, Elsie saw pale, dying face, sad F.,
implOring eyes, piteous, quivering lips,
and again she seemed to hear the faint,
pleading voice say:
''Oh, Elsie, care for poor Tom when
l am gone !"
Poor Tom, pitiful only in his moth
er's eyes, a reprobate to all Others,
weak more than wicked, drinking to
excess, industrious only in fits and
starts, the black sheep of the family.
Robert" Elsie said, the tears start
ing at the sound of her own voice,
"you are very kind to wish it, but /
wall stay here"
"Stay here Nonsense ?" cried Mag.
gle. GLOW can you stay here ?"
"Mother left me the 'luuse, and next
year / shall have the five thousand
dollars father left me-"
"Well ?"
Chill and hard the monosyllable fell
from Robert Wayue's lips.
And" said Elsie, desperately, eff
| leave here who will care for Tom ?"
Then. the storm broke. Tom was
disgrace to them ALL Tom was TWEEN.
ty-four, and able to take care of him
SELF Tom had sneaked away from
the cemetery, and was probably drunk
somewhere. Tom, indeed
But anger nerved Elsie. Had Rob
ert and Maggie tried coaxing, or even
argument, she would have found it
hard work to resist them, but she felt
she did not deserve reDroach, and so
bruced her heart to resolution, and
stood firm.
1t ended in Robert and Maggie
leaving the house in anger. leaving
bitter, stinging words, and in Elsie's
lying upon the sofa sobbing her very
heart away, for more than two hours.
"Aad Tom will stay OH and on,
spending Elsie's small fortune as he
spent your mother's," Robert said,
fiercely, "iisgracing us all"
"I'm sure can't help it," Maggie
sobbed. 81 did hope he would go away
when the house was closed till Elsie
married or came of age"
ADd Elsie, sobbing family, exhaust
ed, was lifted in two strong arms, and
a voice that had comforted her many
a time and oft, said
"Dearie, don't cry any more. She's
out o. trouble, and, God be praised,
we can think of her a saint in Heav.
en- instead of sufferer on earth"
Elsie nestled close in the old SER
wants arms.
"Jane," she whispered, "it was not
for mamma [ was crying, but for
Tom"
"And indeed somebody may vel
cry for him, for I'm thinking he'll go
down hill faster than ever. now he'll
have neither mother nor home"
"But, Jane, he will have his home"
"Eh, dearie !"
"And his sister, if he can't have his
mother. I'm going to stay hereto
take care of Tom."
"Heaven save US ! What will Mr..
Robert say p
"He has said | am fool, a cOneeit.
ed IDIOT" Elsie answered, her eyes
flashing now through her tears, "but
Pm going to stay. Tom is fond of
me-"
Tom was fond of her. All that
miserable afternoon, ashamed, wretch
ed, far more griefstrieken than any
would have credited, Tom was wan
dering in a grove skirting one end Of
Heron's Hill, the village where his
name was standing reproaeh. He
knew nobody would believe in his sor-
row, and his remorse cut deep as he
realized how much his own wayward
career had helped to break down his
mothers health.
Never deliberately wicked, honest