The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-07-23

MI IIGOnaTu OemlnB was M. IL. :; ana
she came here two days ago to live in
the brick cottage round the corner, with
her aunt. old Mrs. Paulding, who is al
ways talking of better days and boast
ing that there never has been n mechanic
in her family. And yet she's as poor as
a church mouse, and no one knows how
she manages to live"
go on, Lib"-as she stops to take
breath.
There goes the bell again !'-turn-
ing toward the door.
g You shall not stir step until you
finish your story" says Dick, OBTAINING
her with firm but gentle force.
oh, Richard Foster, what n tease
you arel and only yesterday you was
calling me gossip, and saying how wo-
mems tongues did run on, and-eh -
with shrill scream) "what pinch,
you tormenting thingl Well, her hus-
band was doctor, and went off to some
place or other when they'd been married
II year or so, and caught the yellow fever
and died, and left her nothing but his
! M. D. And she's as poor as old lady
| Paulding and just as proud; and, oh.
Dick, the funniest thing-she's filled one
! OF her aunt's windows with wax flowers
! for sale, just as though any one in this
! place would buy wax flowers! Come
along"
Lib, | think wax flowers are beauti.
fuln-he had never thought of them in
his life before, and in fact knew nothing
about them" and wish you'd set the
other folks good example and buy a lot
of them from-Mrs! Deming for our par
lor mantel," b" and he thrust a bill into her
hand.
Dick Foster, are you crazy? Wax
flowers, and mother wanting new
cook stove this minute!--the old ones
falling into pieces-and l haven't"
g A stitch to your back" says Dick,
smiling. "You never have. But buy
the flowers, Lib, dear, and mother shall
have new stove and you new dress
before the weeks out. I'll work nights"
But, Dick"
But Dick had rushed away at fourth
and most furious ringing of the bell, and
she was fain to follow without another
word.
Day after day Dick Foster set his shop
door wide open, and replenished the
pretty bonbon box that was hidden
away behind some tools on a shelf in the
corner, i'll hopes that he might some day
again raise his head from his work and
see the fair haired child standing before
him. But day after day went by, and
June merged into July, and she came no
more.
The wax flowers had been bought n
few days after Dick had so suddenly
discovered how much he admired them.
and wonderful limitations of nature they
proved 10 be, but alas! wanting natures
wonderful fragrance; and they stood be-
tween the china dog and cat that Dick
remembered from his earliest boyhood,
on the high, old-fashioned wooden man
tel in the -ceiinged sunny parlor.
Lib had come back from purchasing
them with a quick step and snap in her
black eyes, and had immediately
Dick knew she would the moment he
caught sight of her-rushed into the
shop to-as she was wont to express it
" free her mind"
There, | hope you are satisfied" she
began, with toss of her head, putting
the vase of lilies and roses into his hand;
but I-think you'd better saved your
money. Not but what they're pretty
enough, and | don't see how she makes
en-; | couldn't. But of all the stuck-up
things | ever saw. she's the worst.
Your little girl thinks your brother
looks like my brother says l, trying to
make myself agreeable; does hep I'm
sure | don't know; | didn't look at
him. My brother is a very handsome
man, and an artist. We were family
of artists, although my share of talent
took very lowly FORM says she, hand
ing me the vase-she called it 'varse.'
Good-afternoon.
To all of which Dick replied not a
word, but turned away and sawed like
mad, which so offended Miss Elizabeth
Foster that she never referred to the
pretty widow again until the afternoon
of the Sd of July, when, with CLEAN of
mischief in her face, she burst out at the
supper table: "Oh, Dick, I've a mes
sage for you. met Miss Eva" as the
little servant-girl calls her They say
that girl serves Mrs. Deming for love; /;
wish / could get people to serve me for
| that. Please tell the-the shavings
man. said Miss Eva, that wanted to
come again. but mamma won't let me.
And, oh, Dick, if they haven't put fire
works for sale in the other parlor win
dow! Wax flowers and fireworks !
Amt it funnyP',
But, judging from Dicks clouded brow
and closely set lips, Dick thought it any
thing but funny; and Lib, wisely
| dropping the subject, devoted herself to
mothers soft gingerbread with un-
divided attention.
And the cloud still fingered on the
carpenters brow as he, pail in hand,
! just after supper, bent his steps toward
the old well that stood n few feet beyond
/ the brick cottage. He had developed an
/ extraordinary fondness for the water of
this WE'LL it seemed as though nothing
else could quench his thirst, albeit until
a few weeks ago he had been perfectly
satisfied with the cold as ice, clear as
crystal water drawn from the well in
his mothers garden.
AS he drew near the isolated cottage
he saw the fireworks in the window, and
his heart came up in his throat. So
poor, so proud, so lovely" he thought.
I'll buy them all tomorrow And al
this moment the pretty woman stepped
out on the old-fashioned porch. and Dick
turned and fled.
But few hours after Dick was again
seized with a terrible thirst-a thirst