The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-04-07

Six O'Clock" cries May, stopping
her warbling to laugh up in the face Of
the old clock that chfmed the hour.
six O'clock" she laughs, as she turns
the fragrant rashers in the oven, and
casts a searching glance at the table TO
see that it contains all her own home
made dainties. FEATHER will be here
presently. ] wonder If Abe will
Hush, you naughty thing" she adds,
under her breath, and pressing her
hands to her rosy mouth, as she hears
crunching sound drawing nigh.
The sound draws nearer till it stops
outside, when there is a scraping and
stamping of feet, and then the door
opens, and fragrant, warm smell, and
bright CLEAN of light, and a smile OF
delicious youth and innocence stream
out in the face of the night and salute
the intruders.
The first to enter is a man, tall, and
slightly bent, with a thin, aged face,
and fair, long beard, plentifully leav-
ened with gray hairs. He bends down,
with an air not quite in keeping with
his homely garb, and impresses fer
vent kiss on the sweet, upturned face
that greets him. He then steps aside
with a courteous movement and dis
closes the figure of robust youth, with
beardless face wreathed in smiles,
half-diffident. half-assured, altogether
guileless.
Come in, eAbe," says the little
hostess, as he beams at her from the
doorway.
Smiling, Abe insinuates himself past
her, without a word, merely rubbing
the top of his frost-smitten nose by way
Of salutation.
In or about this hour, Abe Gilman
generally insinuated himself into the
presence of May, and beguiled his even
ings in the company of her and her
father. George Seton had some books
which greatly interested him, especially
when read to him by the owner or his
daughter, and he occasionally borrowed
one, though frequently puzzled by some
of the words; for Abe was not much of
a scholar, but he had taste for litera-
ture, and for Mays society, which was
a sort of education in ITSELF
You haven't had supper, Abe," said
May, invitingly, to the visitor, with
peep at him that might have upset
more confident youth.
I'm just goin' back to it," said Abe,
apologetically. 81 only kem for book
yer father promised to loan me-
Better stay for supper now, Abe"
said George Seton, in his quiet but
kindly way.
Don't require to be coaxed too much
before you consent" said MAY, with
mock gravity, and merry twinkle in
her blue eye, that sent Abe into a con-
vulsive litter, and brought him to the
table without further parley.
"Who went to Fairbank to-daYp" in
quired May, when she had set the meal
in full motion.
ABE. my dear; he brought you your
paper" answered her father. " l was
chopping wood all day; much warmer
work-eh. Abep"
"Yes, sir" returned Abe, with an
emphasis on the second word that left
no mistake as to his thorough agreement
with his friends opinion. 81 never
thought I'd get home. There wasn't a
soul TO be seen in the village, 'cept what
was keepin' the stove warm in the store
There was lady that KEN by the cars,
an she wanted to start straight away
for Mansfield, an she offered ten dollars
to any one that'd take her, an, by golly,
sir, she couldn't to save her life git one
that'd face it."
"She was a trump" laughed May,
"and she'd face it herself?"
"Yes, by golly, she would that, said
Abe; "but she had so many shawls,
an furs, an wraps with her, that /
think she could have slep' in the snow
for a week without being frozen."
It's a nasty road from here to Mans
field, such night" said George Seton;
''but that was stiff price"
"She may get some one -that'll take
| her yet" said May.
"She may, and she mayn't," /" said Abe,
grinning comfortably at the fire. If
/ Tonlr DR., oa xrr. q ovOx1nA dox,3f fhsn6 hafd
| let so much money go. / think he'd
! skin himself an that horse OF his for the
whisky that ten dollars'd buy.
+" fear he'd run the risk of it, Abe, Z"
said George, smiling. Poor Jack is Il
rare fellow for his whisky"
y" Hush!" cried May, "this Is sleigh
coming now; I'm sure heard the bells
Perhaps it's she. Look and see, Abe"
'He couldn't see his finger outside, my
dear said her father, taking down his
pipe OFF the mantle and filling ii, whilst
Abe rose to peep out.
The tinkling sound advanced rapidly,
but it was dark as pitch, and sleet and
snow were travelling furiously with the
wind.
Abe could see nothing from the door
step, so he ran down to the wooden
bridge that spanned the frozen stream.
He could now discern the dark object
coming furiously toward him, but he
noticed, with anxiety, that it was in
clining dangerously near the side OF the
road on which was d ke little ravine.
Onward came the snorting horse al
the top of his speed but closer and closer
! to the brink of the highway.
Abe raised his hands and voice in
, alarm TO the driver, but his warning
was not heard, or heard too late, for thI
next instant the horse and sleigh haC
, tumbled into the bed of frozen water.
Z The hoarse cry of a man in pain and /
! stified moan reached the ears of tn,
l Mortified Abe, as he shouted cut
+ "Georgel Georgep
But George, who had heard the crash
g was on hand moment after the acci
= dent with n lantern, and, taking tn
situation in at a glance, first released tn
e furiously struggling horse, an6 thel
$ lifted up the heavy sleigh that had com