The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-09-01
AIDING THE ENEMY.

4 Cdn \, Il WOn y, IL hOb kOllAS
so therew
To a person unacquainted with the
Gregory family, the above singular pro.
testation would seem not only very
cross and impertinent, but decidedly un
called for.
Grandma Gregory, in the most melli-
fhous of tones, and with her sweetest
company smile, was simply suggesting
to her daughter Gertrude, the propriety
ofpniting up her back hairs
"But you are seventeen years old"
tue ldy urged, to all appearance quite
undistmbed by her companions reply.
- Grandma, | shall OF he seventeen
till next Saturday," the young lady an
swered with flashing eyes, and it don't
make any uitference how old l AN.
When l went TO Mrs. Graham's party,
said that my hair would never get top
OF ms head again unless it went there
itself. My head aches now with those
old longs of hairpins that that hair
dresser stuck through my scalp. wish
my hnnd was as bald as old Mr.. Tom
lirsoa's; then should be let alone"
You are very tall Ui your age, my
dear" andma began again, in the
same unruflled manner, and for GER
tain occasiuns-such, for instance, as
Carrie She1Ville's wedding tomorrow
night-the arrangement OF your hair, as
you own good taste will tell you, should
clrrespond with your dress. There
must be harmony in these things, else
we might as we'll be barbarians."
"Therell never be any harmony
about me, grandma inside or out, if
have got to be badgered all the time
about my back hair, and how l enter
and leave a room, and how l behave
when go to those hateful dinner
parties, which nobody but an antedi-
luvian can enjoy, why, then, grandma,
you might as we'll give me up, for l shall
never do you or. papa the least credit. !"
Just consider a moment, Gerty,"
grandma began again. Do you think
your hair. arranged as it is. now, in u
braid at the back Of your neck, will be
in keeping with your white silk dressP"
No. grandma, don't suppose it will |;
but I'm not to blame for that. wanted
blue silk, or white muslin, such as
girls OF my age wear; but you bought
1.-THE white silk, and what could dol?
The discrepancy will be in this grandma
that my dress will be old enough for
a lady twice my age, and my hair will
be just as old as ! am"
Grandma's patience did seem of the
elastic kind, for even now, after all this
provocation, she proceeded to argue the
case in her most cheerful and smiling
manner.
81 only care" she said, "to have you
dress as becomingly as possible. You
look veritable full-hedged young lady,
my dear, and the costume that would
be suitable for many girls of your age
would be in very bad taste for you. l
hope you will acquit me of aAy RESPONSE
bility for your outgfoWth of short skirts
and pinatores, my dear"
For a moment Gertrude did not speak.
She stood before the library fire, looking
down among the glowing Goals, appar-
emily in deep thought.
Finally she said, with keen glance at
her grandmother;
4" heard you and papa talking about
Court Bently last night"
Yes, my love-" the old lady replied,
giving the last smoothing touch to a
new lilac glove she was trying on.
"Well, grandma" said Gertrude, eff
Colrt Bently comes TO this house TO
make visit, you needn't think I'm go
ing to be polite to him. / believe Grand
M Gregory, that the reason you have
taken to talking so much about my back
hair and my style generally, is because
you want me to look sufficiently mature
for that travelled gentleman TO take PAL :
ticular notice of. 1t won't work worth a
cent, grandma, because / shall tell him
my age as soon as he sets foot in the
house, and / shall wear my hair down
my back, unfettered by braid, ribbon or
comb, and shall endeavOr to look and
behave just as much like wild Indian
as possible"
"a Low me TO inquire, Gertrude, and
now tlfAe was a trihing change in the
Old-lady's manner, as she carefully drew
the glove from her shapely hand, "why
you Should single MIR. Bently, out of our
large circle of friends and acc uain 'ances
for the.savage exhibition you speak OFF
confess TO some curiosity, strange as il
may seemP"
Because" the girl replied, with q
blush of vexation, . you and papa have
talked so much about Court Bently's
perfeetions, and Court Bently's fortune