The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-05-22

Watched MS hostess deft movements
with wisful admiration.
"Try hunting, Brice; the doctors
mostly say it's healthy"
And Brice tried hunting as Joel adj
vised. Taking the gan from it's crotch
over the door after breakfast, and wan
dering for hours in the yellow wine-like
air of the mesa, he came in at noon and
nightfall always empty handed; yet no
one derided his failure. There was
something about the man that smothered
derision.
And 30 the hunting came to an end
without bloodshed. Whether the doc
tors we're right or whether it was the
mingled resin and honey of the sage and
chaparrel, no one cared to ask. Certain
it is that the "pesterin' cough yielded
a little, and the bent form grew trife
more erect.
"I think likely it's the lookin' up,
ma'am. Mountains seem to straighten
a fellow some way. Pears to me some
body writ once NV liftin' his eyes to the
hills for help. Mebbe not, though.
amt much at recollectin' verses. Loisy's
powerful hand that way"
Perhaps the man was right It was the
looking up.
He followed Joel from the table one
morning, stopping outside, bis face full
of patient eagerness.
" I'm gittin' right smart o strength,
neighbor. Ef there's odd Jobs you could
gi' me; I'd be slow, mebbe, but seems
like most anything 'ud be better'n settin'
round"
Joel scratched his head, rehectively.
The big brawny-handed fellow felt no
disposition to smile at his weaker
brother.
Fox and I was saying yesterday
we'd like to put another man on the
ditch; it'll be easy work for a week, till
we strike rock again. Then there is the
grease-wood. It's always on hand. You
might take it slow. grubbin' when you
vas able. 1 guess we'll find you Jobs
enough, man."
The scared, colorless face frightened.
"Thank ye, neighbor. Ef you'll be
as kind there's another little matter
I'll hev trifle over when I've paid your
woman fur her trouble. wuz thinkin'
like enough you'll let me run up shan.
ty on yer place here. Loisy wouldn't
mind about style-just a roof to bring
EN- to. It's for her and the boy, you
know" watching Joel's face eagerly.
"Yes, yes;y.Brice, we'll make it all
right. Just take things easy. I'll be
goin' in with wood next week, and I'll
fetch out load o. lumber. Well make
day of it after awhile, and put up your
house in a iiffy."
And 80 Brice went to work on the
Itch, gently at first, spared from the
heaviest work by strong arms a2d rough
kindliness. And so, ere long, another
rude dwelling went up on the mesa, the
smoke from its fireside curling slowly
toward the pine-plumed mountain tops.
The building fund, scanty enough at
best, was unexpectedly swelled by q
sudden and obstinate attack of forgetful-
ness which seized good Mrs. Brandt.
"No, Brice. you haven't made me a
spark O trouble. not spark. I'm sure
you have paid your way twice over
bringin' in wood, and grinding coffee,
and the like. Many a man'd ask wages
for the half you've done, so I'm getting
off easy to call it square," And the good
lady stood her ground unfinchingly.
"You've been powerful good to me,
ma'am. Wen be watchin' our chance to
make it up to you-Loisy an me. I'll
be sendin' fur Loisy direckly now."
eyes, yes, man, and there'll be the
bits o. furniture and things to get.
Spread your money thin, and Mrs. Fox
and nell come in and put you to rights
when you're looking for her."
He brought the money to Joe at last,
q molly collection of silver pieces.
"Ef ye'I be so kind as to send it to
'er, neighbor-Mrs. Loisy Brice, Platts-
vile, Indiana--I've writ the letter tell
in her how to come. There's enough
ior her ticket and trifie to spare. The
boys master hand at scufin' out shoes
and things You'll not make any mis-
take sendin' it, will yonP"
"No, no, Brice, it'll go straight as a
rocket. Let me see now. The letter'll
be week, then 'lowin' 'em a week to
get started
"Never you mind, man. Lowin' 'em
week to get off, that's two weeks;
then them emigrant trains is slow, say
thirteen days on the road-that's about
another fortnight-four weeks; this is
the fifth, ain't itP Twenty-eight and
hve's thirty-three; thst'll be bout the
third of next month, say. Now mind
what / tell you, Brice-don't look for
'em minute before the third-not one
minute"
"'Pears like long spell to wait,
neighbor."
'FI know it, man; but itn seem a
sight longer after you begin to look for
EN-"
ct reckon you're right. Say four
weeks from to-day, then. Like enough
you'll be goin' in"
eyes, well hitch up and meet 'em
at the train-you and me. The women
i'll have things kind o. snug gin We get
home. Your week'l soon slide along,
man."
The southern winter blossomed roy
ally. Bees held high carnival in the
nodding spikes of the white sage, and