The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-05-28
show in the city, and waited for some oppo-

show in the city, and waited for some oppo-
sition.
But they had done with opposing Marcia,
in the matter of hens, in that house. "They
treat me with the silent contempt 1 de-
serve," she said, lightly. But she bribed
Tom to h Up her manufacture a set of coops,
bribed him with promise that Bessie
should make him a box of cookies to take
away with him; for he had begun his study
of medicine, while Phil, who thought the
learned professions already full, was look
ing in vain for something to do in which to
start himself in life. " Poor fellow !" thought
Marcia over and over again, if he only
could get something to do, then the engage
ment couldibe announced, and by-and-bye
they could be married" 1t seemed as
though she herself would be easier when it
was all over. But there was no prospect of
it, and Phil's outlook was dark enough at
present. She meant to ask him, at some
favorable time, why he didn't 90 out to
Colorado, and, after he had made II home
there, send for Bessie. She fancied that,
after all, the best thing for her would be not
to be obliged to witness their happiness at
| last.
But when M arcia had emptied the better
|
show, she felt it necessary to go and look
after her interests there, and she sold enough
of the common stock at home to pay the ex-
penses of herself and Bessie in the city. Her
mother burst into tears with the thought
of the vulgar pursuits of her daughters /;
and they left Emily wiping her mothers
eyes.
1t was a fine thing, that show, as Marcia
said, trusting Bessie could make out what
she said in the riot of the chandeliers, each
rivalling his unseen opponent. "Just hear
the rumpus those roosters keep upp she
cried. And what with the cackling of the
geese, the quacking of the ducks, the COB
bling of the turkeys. the clatter of the
guinea-fowl, the cooling of the pigeons, and
the screams of the peacocks, the rumpus
was that of Pandemonium ITSELF But, ex-
cept for the unsightly coops, it was rather
beautiful Pandemonium--the huge Brah-
mas with their fluff of snowy feathers like
so many arctic owls, the jet and shining
Creve-ceurs, the silver-spangled Hamburgs
fine as silk-clad court ladies, the Cochins
with the gloss of dark green enamel on the
blackness of their plumes the superb red
Game, the crested, rufied and bearded Sui
tans and the little Bantams more important
than the whole. Marcia felt all the glory
Il
ducer, as she moved through the place, and
recognized her own, and listened to the
clarion calls about her.
She found seat for Bessie at last, and
then went to see the secretary. "Phil will
be sure to be here" she said to herself, " so
! long as he knew Bess was coming He'll
find her, and keep her from being lonely
As she came back with radiant face after
a half hours interview, she saw that her
prophecy was fulflled-Phil was there sit
| ting by Bessie, their heads close together.
their backs toward her. Meaning to be as
merry as she could, she started to put her
face close down between theirs in order to
tell her news, and so it came about that she
heard Phil saying: "Ah, if only had some
sort of business, SO that could speak with.
out disgracing myselfW
"Speak any way, Phil" answered Bessie,
putting Marcia in mind of Priscilla and
John Alden, in spite of herself.
The little hen-woman drew back and
waited half a minute before she touched
them on the shoulders.
"Come with me, Phil" she said and she
led him down the lower corner of the hal,
where, the peacocks having rested from their
screaming, it was trihe less noisy than any
! where else. =" ! heard what you said, Phil"
SAe W say AlI6CllyJ anu nave
proposition to make to you. See here "-as
he turned to her with a stare of utter amaze
ment in his handsome eyes. Look at this
list of premiums-Ive taken twenty. And
every one of my birds is sold, some at
ten and some at fifteen dollars a pair,
just as the secretary chose. What do
you think of that for wealth P she cried,
gayly. My receipts and my orders from
| this poultry show will be only a little
less than one thousand dollars. Now, Phil
you're listening?-if you don't feel
ashamed of it (and Pm sure you won't if
| you really want 10 marry dear Bessie), |
propose to sell out my hen business to you.
You can double it, you're a man, and can
do twice as we'll as l could; and you can
have, anyway, in spite of accidents, good
| income of fifteen hundred or two thousand
dollars year, with everybody buying your
rare breeds and coming after your choice
eggs, you know. And you can pay me in
the course of your life, and you can marry
! Bess tomorrow"
Then there was silence a moment, while
she looked at the gorgeous illumination of
the azure on the peacock's breast, and feared
that Phil would hear her heart beating.
Marcia" said he, presently, getting hold
of her hand somehow, "you are certainly
the most ineffable little goose in this hall
What in the world do you suppose want
TO marry Bess for? It's you / am in love
with "-Harper'8 Bazdr.