The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-12-03
I'm Dodie, Dorothy Bell, Miss Dris-
nnll1a nnnnaakn


l played with you one Thanksgiving
day when was little boy"
" Did youg | don't remember" stam-
mered Dodie, who had played with so
many boys in her lifetime that she never
recollected one individually.
"Well, do, and you wore little red
dress and white apron"
And hood and basket p' asked
Dodie, smiling.
"No, you were not so exactly like the
little girl in the story as you are to-day;
but let me carry the basket, am going
in the direction of Martha Pratt's cot
tage;" and the handsome young fellow
took the basket from Dodie's hand and
walked on beside her, talking volubly
all the way. He was at college now, but
he should graduate soon, and go right
into business with his father. Was she
at school yetp
Yes, she was at school. How soon
should she graduatep
81 graduated over a year ago"
WHAT and still going to school2'
Yes, every day, to teach.
"Oh," and he looked down with a
tender smile at the little girl-teacher,
with the plying thought, Ah yes,
remember now, Miss Dorothy told me
about her fathers sudden death, and
in order to keep her mother and broth
ers;" and then he changed the talk to
something pleasanter, and almost before
she knew it, Dodie stood at Mrs. Pratt's
garden gate.
81 will wait for you outside" said
Mr.. Woodman; Martha is great
talker and she will keep us too long if l
go in"
"Oh, dear, dear. dear, what cold
day for you to come so far to bring
poor old woman a dinner" said Mrs.
Pratt, when Dodie had delivered her
message with the basket.
"Oh, but / enjoyed the walk; it was
delightful" said bod lie, with almost
sparkle in her h Apply voice, and with a
rich bloom of color on her cheeks and
lips.
"You did ? But you were not alone;
didn't hear voices outside" said Mrs.
Pratt.
("What big ears you have, grand
mother,O thought Dodie, but she an
swered, Eyes, there is a gentleman wait
ing for me-"
"Ah, hal gentleman? That means
a sweetheart, suppose. Well, well,
that is quite right, my dear; at your age
sweethearts are all believed honest and
us pink as a rose."
"What big eyes you have. grand
mother, /" thought Dodie, but she replied:
"Oh, no, no sweetheart, Mrs. Pratt;
only-only a gentleman"
"Who is he; any of our village boys?"
asked curious old Martha Pratt.
What big mouth you have, grand
mother" thought Dodie. "I mustn't
stop minute" she said, quickly; it is
after five; the crows are flying home,
and it will be dark if don't hurry. Miss
Dorothy sent her best wishes, and will
be over to see you very soon; good-by,
Mrs. Pratt" and Dodie hastened out of
the house, and ran down to the gate,
where her lad was whistling for her.
Such n delicious walk as it was home
through the woods; the sunset sky was
gorgeous with color, and the whole
world had never seemed so grand and
beautiful before.
What q perfect Thanksgiving day it
has been," said Dodie with q soft sigh,
as though she regretted its close.
1T has indeed, F" was the low reply, 81
have never had so much to be thankful
for in all my life!" They had reached
Miss Dorothy's gate by this time.
"Win you come in, and see Miss
DorothyP" asked Dodie timidly.
"Thank you, / will come in to see
Miss Dorothy-Bell," he whispered.
Miss Dorothy Driscoll had had her
nap, and wakened refreshed. She was
sitting in her little low rocker now,
waiting for Dodie's return; and as she
smoothed down the shining breadths O 1
her silk apron, she congratulated her
self that the day had passed off so pleas
antly.
"If Willis had only come, then all
my wishes would have leen gratified, :"
she was saying to herself, /" know
they would fall in love with one an
other, and he is going to get in business
as soon as he leaves college, and they
might be married soon, and it's match
have set my heart on.
Just then the click of the gate sounded
upon her ear, and presently, as if in an
swer to her earnest wishes, she beheld
! Willis Woodman standing before her.
"Why," she exclaimed, rubbing her
eyes as if to make sure she was quite
awake, "Why, Willisp and DodieP"
looking first from one smiling face to the
other.
Eyes, both of us. Willis and Dodie, {"
repeated Mr.. Woodman, as though he
liked the coupling of their names.
Well, where on earth-p" she be-
gan
Il found her in the woods" quickly
answered Willis, "she was frightened
almost to death by Wolf"
"A wolf" cried Miss Dorothy.
Yes, my dog"
'Oh, dear! see. " laughed Miss Dor
othy, Yes, yes; why Dodie, believe
the story will end like the new version
after all"
Storyp-endP What is thatP" asked
Mr.. Woodman.
"Why! 1 called Dodie Red Riding
Hood when she started, and she said
the new way of ending the tale was TO
bring in a wood-cutter, Woodman, you
know, who rescues Red Riding Hood,
and they marry and live in peace and
are buried in a pot of ashes,' like all
respectable fairy story heroines and
heroes -