The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-04-24
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Now Sam Peters and Henry Pine,
though they were both hired out to
old Jehiel Calkins, were also his daugh-
ter's lovers-a state of things neither
anomalous nor uncommon in old New
England, where many Jacob served his
time for Rachel, and grew up into o
patriarch with hocks and herds of his
own.
But neither Almira nor her lovers
knew yet who would succeed in this ser
vice, nor whether, indeed, some third
man might not step in and distance them
both. Henry had one powerful ally in
the well-known fact that his father had
means, as Yankeedom phrases it, and
Mira had keen eye for the goods and
gauds of this present world. Good
hard common-sense lined that low
square forehead, and the firm chin, al
most too prominent for symmetry, told
its story Of resolute will and stern de
termination. She did not underrate
that big farmhouse of Sol Pines, with
its stretch of level meadows lying to the
south, sheltered by great hills wooded
to their SUBMITS, and on their lower
terrace bearing orchards full OF pink
and white promise and golden perform
ance. She liked snug prospect for the
future, q garnished and well-stored
home but Henry was SO stupid such an
utter lout l--kind-hearted, dull-witted,
with no resource and no energy while
Sam was intelligent, alert, quick witted,
and full of courage-and SO handsome !
In her secret soul Mira admired Sam
nightly, but he was only one of seven
children and his widowed mothers
sole possession lay in a wild mountain
farm, partially cleared as yet, and the
other six were girls.
II she married him the worlI lay be-
fore her, aud only their four hands
wherewith to open It's shell; but then
there were great possibilities, and these
are fascinating. A future with Henry
was determinate and secure; there was
only peace and plenty, and Mira was
ambitious.
But Sam also was determined. Nature
had not given him those keen dark eyes
and that strong development of sinew
and muscle for no purpose; the future
did not daunt him, and his mind was re-
solved on Mira and Congress, and this
was his own precious secret. However,
like many another man, his plans came
near to shipwreck for want of chart
yet what man ever lived who knew the
channels and the quicksands of a
woman's mind
Sam set himself to work to make his
rival ridiculous: he demonstrated poor
Henry's ignorance, and played on his
credulity; he ridiculed him to his face
snd carefully beguiled him into all kinds
of false positions: all of which reused
Miry's innate feminine perversity and
kindness to take the side of the weakest,
and she gave Henry so much encourage
ment that even her parents were puzzled.
al do DECLARE" said father Calkins,
as he sat down by the kitchen fireplace
one chilly May night, and pulling off his
big boots prepared to toast his feet
at the embers, " Almiry beats me,
mother. I'm blamed eff she amt asst
tin to Hen Pine now, IS true Is We live |!
an 'tain't good two months back I could
ha' swore she was bound to hev Sam
Peters. Jeethunder women-folks is
wuss n the weather; you can't guess on
'em."
We-e-ell," droned the tired and
sleepy wife, 81 dono as keer. Henry's
got means; she won't never want fur
nothin' eff she takes up with him. A
bird in the hands with good deal, pa,
and Almiry is pooty keen, now 1 tell
ye."
"That's so; that's So" rejoined the
old man. "But Sam is dreadful likely:
he's smarter'n any steel trap; fortino" 4"
(Which is vernacular, dear reader, for
for what know ") "hell be a jedge
or suthin' afore he dies, and Hen Pine
won't never be nothin' but an everlastin'
fool to the day after never"
We'll, Almiry'll tune him, bet ye,
pa. He won't know his souls his own
eff that gal marries him."
Lnrdy Jeroosh, hain't You lived
long enough to know you carn't no way
break in fool? They're jest like Par
son Powders donkey, that went all ways
of a Sunday except the way to meetin'.
I'd ruther take my chance with TELLER
that had got suthin' inside o. his head
than one with nothin but what was in
side his pocket, blamed sight"
Mebbe so, mebbe so, Jehiel; but it's
kinder borne in on my mind that Miry
will take Henery, nevertheless and what
soever. Amt she gone a-ridin' over to
Colebrook with him this blessed night,
jest for nothin' but becos Samwell asked
her for to go to the lecter over'n the
vile 2"
"That amt nothin'; she'll get 80 all
fred sick o. Hens stoopid GRIMM ways
afore long, I'll bet ye a red cent she'll
take to Sam fn'lly."
cts dreadful onsartain, anyway" :"
sighed Mrs. Calkins, as she took up her
tallow candle and went into the bedroom,
quite too sleepy to discuss the matter,
whi spa" turned the current of his
thoughts to the new litter of pigs, AL
mira and her ways being quite too much
for his brain.
But it is certain that so stupid did
Henry Pine show himself this very even
ing, such an unspeakable bore and dom
key, that Miry's heart failed her, and
she was almost inclined to put a sharp