The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-12-01

evening, WHO balK1nB WlUn Mrs. MOn-
roe. "Women as we'll as men are i'm
proved by the discipline of worldly CON
tact A few hard knocks don't hurt any
one-in fact, they are rather beneficial
than otherwise
Laura sat and listened attentively.
But she noticed that Gerald never tried
to engage her in any such conversation,
much as he seemed to enjoy talking to
Mrs. Monroe on these topics.
''He treats me as if he thought was
only butterfly" she said to herself,
with some bitterness; and ther added,
"and don't know as he has any reason
to think me anything else"
The weeks passed quickly by, and one
morning Gerald stood waiting for the
stage, valise in hand. He bid Mrs
Monroe an affectionate farewell, and
then extending his hand to Laura, said
Goodbye" pleasantly, and, bowling,
walked away.
Laura flew to her own room when he
was gone, and, while she tried to force
the tears back, thought:
"He don't even respect me and there
is no person whose esteem / would so
like to have. He thinks l am one of
those light, frivolous persons that l
have heard him SO often describe, and
that know he despises. And, oh! what
can / do? Here 1 am, the heiress Of
fathers large property, and when Aunt
Bel dies I'll have all her WEALTH. There
seems to be nothing but fashionable
folly for me to engage in. 1 wish I
hadn't dollar in the worldP'
The days passed drearily to Laura
after Gerald left Aspirations for a
higher and better life had taken pos
session of her, and made her restless
and unhappy.
Sylvester St. John had been so fire.
quently repulsed that he was at last
obliged to withdraw, and he began to
pay attention to the next wealthiest girl
in the neighborhood.
It was some weeks after this that. one
day gentleman, whom Laura had never
seen, called and wished to see Mrs.
Monroe The interview lasted for some
time, and when Laura again saw her
aunt, there were traces of tears on her
face.
Laura" she said, "the gentleman
who called is a lawyer from New York.
He came to inform me that every dollar
of your money, and all of mine that
your father invested so securely, as he
thought, is lost; nothing can be re-
claimed"
Mrs. Monroe had dreaded not little
to make this announcement to her neice.
But when she finished Laura only smiled
and said: "Well, Aunt Bel, 1 can take
care of myself, and you still have the
little place at Springville; you can go
there and live"
"What will you do, my dear?"
81 can teach music. L have very
thorough knowledge of it. 1 don't
doubt but that 1 will succeed. will
try, at least"
Preparations were Immediately made
for leaving the grand home. The little
place at Springville was fitted up and
made as comfortable as possible. Laura
had never been so helpful before. Aunt
Bel was daily surprised by the quiet de-
termination she displayed, and the
willingness she showed to accept the
situation as it was, and to make the best
of things.
A letter had been sent to a friend in
| ing music-scholars for Laura, and a
week after they had taken possession OF
their home an answer was received, say
ing that she had obtained three pupils,
who were ready to begin as soon as
Laura could take charge of them.
A few days after, one bright Septem-
Der morning, Laura stood on the plat
form at the depot, waiting for the train,
and by her side was Mrs. Monroe.
''Now, Aunt Bell" she said, just be-
fore starting. 81 am going out into the
world to make my way if can. shall
try my best to succeed; but if l fail,
will come back to you. Goodbye
And Aunt Bel held her to her heart fol
a moment, too affected to speak, an6
then, with faint, "God bless you!" she
turned away.
Laura soon obtained more pupils, but
she found that working for ones living
is not an easy task, at best. Some o.
irritable and peevish.
And in some cases parents were exact
ing; but she was rapidly learning IL
preserve her soul in patience, even un
der the most trying circumstances.
But yet she was wearied at times b,
the daily care and fret, and it was will
unspeakable delight that she looked for
ward to two weeks of unbroken rest a
Aunt Bells at Christmas-time. And, oh
how delightful it was.
'I never enjoyed my old home as 1 d
this!" she said one day, when she an,
Mrs. Monroe were together in the littl
sitting-room.
: Because you never needed the rest,
replied Aunt Bel. ga busy life carrie
its own recompense to some extent
Appetite gives food a relish, and wear
ness gives to rest'an exquisite flavor tina
nothing else can"
/ At the end of the vacation Laura re
turned, refreshed in body and mind, an
prepared to go steadily along till th
, summer months would come and brin
) another delightful change.
1t was one day about the end {