The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-04-14

1t TOOK nlm several minutes to collect
his scattered senses, as well as his scat
tered letters, not feeling certain but
what he wss still being regarded by a
pair of brown eyes; lie did not stop to
see, but was rather more attentive for
the rest Of the day.
"A blind cupid, sure enough" he
thought. "Blame the grill II IL had
been a servant, wouldn't have cared"
In few days there was another letter
for the same house, and the preternatu-
raj solemnity with which he handed it
in, without raising his eyes, certainly
did amuse the young lady who took it.
1t got to be interesting finally, when
there was letter twice a week addressed
to "Miss Mercy Hoyt," in the same
/ handwriting, and he was sometimes
asked to mail one bearing the superscrip-
tion of IS. Welles Kendrick, f" and when
he was always met by the same bright
faced girl, sometimes watching for him
at the very door.
1t was a quiet, blossomy place, and he
liked IL better than most Others, despite
his first awkward adventure. He even
made up a romance about the two--the
girl and the absent man-just as Con
had predicted, only he did not tell
| him so.
Poor fellow! he was very lonely those
days, and was too proud to seek his ac-
customed society; and it is not to be
wondered at that he would stand and read
over the name Mercy Hoyt, and feel as
II he knew the girl who met him twice
week with such happy face.
AS if for having laughed at him at
first, she gave him a rose one day, when
she saw him stop to smell one-oniy a
common rose, but the foolish fellow
coveted no othHr; and when the slant
rays of the sun tell on royal jacqui-
| minot that the too full hands of little
child had dropped on his pathway, he
! left 1t lying there, feeling almost jealous
for his own, then well-nigh faded.
He asked for glass of water one day,
hoping she would bring it herself, as
she did; but the next time her letter
came he found himself wondering why
she must have it, and if it would make
| any difference to him ii she did not.
| Then the summer went, and for three
weeks he delivered no letter bearing the
familiar address then one with black
border, and in strange hand Norris
believed he knew all about it, and was
not surprised that he missed the girls
face at the door, and the letters ceased
| altogether. He knew then what hold
she had taken on him. and in his sorrow
for her grief. as he pictured il. and
partly because he wanted the excuse, he
sent her flowers. and sometimes books,
! through the mail he wouldn't have
done it If Con had been there to laugh
ut his sentimentality. This went on all
winter. Then Con wrote:
"DEAR CUPID-Are your wings all
rightP How about the valentinesP ?
| Glad to hear old PEI chance knew what
he was about. iii bet you bought
cigars and new meerschaum, first
thing. W hen are we to see youP Fling
your mailbag at your fortunate sue
cessor's head and come right on. The
guest-chamber is prepared for you. so
is Yours, Con-
"rll have to GO" thought Norris,
"but / vow l don't want to. Who
would believe I'd live to say thatp III
take day off, and think about it." So
he did, and came to the conclusion he
would be Mercy's postman a while
| longer.
But the first day the latch of her gate
clicked behind him, he stopped dumb
| founded; for although the sparrows
| were busy in the vines, and a gray cat
| dozed on porch in the sunshine, the
house was empty, and For sale" stared
him in the face. He turned away, feel
| ing rs King Midas must have done when
the rose, turning to gold in his hand,
lost its perfume.
THAT settles it, " he thought; "I'll 20
to Con-" But first he tried to find
Mercy's address, but was told all letters
| were to be sent to a certain p. o. box.
Con met him with open arms.
Thought you were never coming.
Holloi shaved off your beardP Quite
an improvement. What's newP How's
the U. S. Mp Awfully glad you are
out of 1t. You must have had fear
fully stupid time all winter"
mot so very" said Norris. "What
have you been doingP"
Con launched forth into a series of ac-
counts until they reached the house.
The next morning the two sat smok-
ing on the porch. The se-chestnuts
were opening little green parasols over
the primroses, lest they should get sun
burnt, l suppose; a busy little wren
was building her nest in the honey.
suckle.
Con was doing most of the talking
and Norris sat back taking in his sur.
roundings. Finally he became absorbed
in watching the movements of a straw
hat in the adjoining garden; occasion
ally IL WOulu MAKE us appearance ABOVE
the tence-sometimes a side view, anC
he would catch glimpse of brown hail
under it; then a front view less fortu
n ate, the least tip of chin only beinl
visible, and he could not decide if the
owner were young or old, pretty or not
1t was getting decidedly interesting
when a hand appeared taking hold O
the fence, and, rising from her stoopinl
position, the Wearer of the hat stood up
Norris sprang to his feet, calculating g
"By Jovew much to Cons astonish
ment, who had been putting ava,
silently for some moments.
J Morris, my dear boy. would yol
mind telling me what is the matterPi
he asked, mildly.
81 only burnt myself with the end @
9 my cigar" he answered. Lets take
l walk. I'll swear it was Mercy" h
: said, under his breath, and was so silen
$ all the morning that Con began to
q alarmed.
I