The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-12-22

comparing it with my present, | am
grateful that / can say that while ] then
Thought l was so constituted that l
could be neither useful nor happy in
life, now find that have been endowed
with abundant capacities for both use
fulness and happiness, and that no
talent / possess has failed of bearing
some fruit. And Florence says the same
thing ABOUT herself.
Let me elaborate:
The cottage we lived in was not
strictly beautiful, but it was comfort
able, and in a pleasant place, with an
orchard before it, and we traiaed Creep
ers on trellises about it, and planted
roses and Towering shrubs along the
stone walls. 1t was fresh, sweet place
to live ina and the children had a lovely
playground. AT first Florence had no
servant, and worked very hard, but she
was young and well and strong, and she
declared that she did not get so tired as
she had often done II our old home with
the thousand and one society duties
| from which she was exempt now.
And the balance in favor of this is"
she added, "that now l get tired in ac-
complishing something"
/ enjoyed my life even the first day,
| for, as nobody knew me, / had no loss
| of caste to fe8r, and it was amusing to
me to see the puzzled faces of my GUS
| toners. who seemed to feel that in some
way / was not to the manor born, and
were evidently pleased with my hum
BILE airs and graces.
l like to study human nature, and
now saw much of it ut home and off its
guard. This delighted me. Two rules
/ observed which made me respected and
popular: first, l never entered house
unless / was invited; second, never in
sisted that people should buy what they
did net want. But always had an ex-
cellent assortment of things, and any lit
tie novelty 1 might have | took pains
should be seen at glance, that it might
recommend itself.
I am passionately fond of outdoor air
and scenery. / used to enjoy fast
horses, but have my dreamy side, and
hardly know anything more exquisite
than to jog leisurely along the country
roads ut six o'clock on a May morning,
when the buds are all bursting and the
birds all singing, or to return quietly
home in the late June twilight, just as
the stars are coming out. like to be
out in soft summer rain, too. There
is enough to see and enjoy in the crisp
autumn weather to reconcile me to the
unwieldly cart 1 ride in. Even on run.
ners it is not to be despised. | believe
like all winds and weathers. Then
used to give myself holidays, often in
winter, when Florence and the children
and had no end of fun. Of course We
helped Florence to do the house work
first, and then had the day for pleas
ure.
From May to October 1 hardly ever
went alone on my journey. Every
pleasant day Florence, or one of the
children, or all the family, went with
me on our rounds. How exciting il
was, and how happy we were! We
took our dinner with us sometimes, ano
played we were gypsies, and camped out
in the most enticing places in the beauti'
full woods.
If l had to go alone. l often took {
book; sometimes l learned a poem
sometimes l even composed one, and
strange to say the magazines which haC
disdained my contributions in the days
when desperately needed money, now
often accepted my effusions with com
pfments.
In the evenings Florence and l sans
duets, and popped corn, and read novels
AS we had no social dignity to keep up
we felt at liberty to enjoy ourselves ever
|
saying a great deal, for we always haC
such good time then.
Then my business kept improving, sc
Florence could have servant. Then WI
, had more time fer "larks" Than ever
We got acquainted with our neighbors
There was not a person of any hterar.
' pretension in town except the minister
t and doctor. This state OF things had 1T
4 advantages as well as it's disadvantages
: because it is pleasant TO be Caesar evel
y in q country village. Florence and
! wrote comedy for the Sons of Temper
ance, and performed in it with great ap
plause. l suppose Shakespeare went T.
his grave ithout such recognition Q
!, we received. Florence sang in the choi
. so sweetly that several people who la
hardly been to church twice year bt
q fore began to go regularly. We torme
a reading club of all the young peopl
= who showed n spark of promise, an
y they had delightful time, and though
. they were literary, and we had de
lightfUl time, and the modest consciou!
v ness that we were great benefactors
our race.
u Once q year we put on our best clothC
. ana went to the city tor week, an
. went to the theater, opera, concerts an
y art galleries, and came home tired an
u happy, and convinced that tin peddlir
y was far healthier and happier life this
~ it was possible to lead in the midst
l. such effete civilizations.
y Let me be clearly understood. | d
- not continue the business when l hi
y laid aside enough money to live up'
'e without it. Meantime can truly say
'd enjoyed It'll thousand times better thl
p, l ever did the law, and to me at least
inS5 was a hundred times more lucratly
III and bless the day when my clever wi
discovered a sphere in which all o.
y odds and ends of talent would be ava
5 able.-HdTper's Bazaar.