The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-12-08
MISS CAROLINE.
A THANKSGIVING STORY.

You are the torment of my life, Seth
Smith. What under the sun, moon and
stars are you forever poking about my
kitchen for" and the speaker, pleas
ant-faced serving-woman, looked up
from the pumpkin she was sitting, with
an expression of countenance which
luite belied the severity OF her words.
"You mean Miss Caroline's kitchen"
said Seth, with grin, as he seated him
self by the pine table, which he had
been heard to say was whiIer and
SIMMER than Deacon Browns bald head,
and considerable more wholesome
looking"
81 rather think you know, Huldah,
why stick round in this ERE way" he
continued "and if you really want me
to tell you the story over again, I am
Just as ready now as I've been any time
these last twenty years."
"Oh, get out!" replied Huldah, MAX
ing an unnecessary racket with hersieve
against the side of the milk pan.
"Throw an armful of wood into that
oven, if you want to do something.
amt got no time to listen to stories"
Seth grinned again, and without
stopping to reply-though his great
mouth was ell oquent with words, which
Huldah might have seen, had she looked
at him, were only postponed-arose and
did as he was bid. Mechanically and
abstractedly, he threw piece after piece
of the dry, split wood into the brick
oven, until HUI lah, alarmed at the blaze
which shot out from its mouth, thrust
him quickly one side, and, with long
poker, separated the burning mass.
"Well, should like to know, Seth
Smith," she exclaimed, as she finished,
what you thought you wor doing
Ask man to help you, and # he don't
set the house a-fire, faint his fault"
"You're more scared than hurt,
Huldah," Seth replied, coolly. "What
shall 1 do now-stir the pumpkin for
you" ?"
"No, you won't do anything of the
Sort" his companion. answered. eff
there's one thing tbu hate above an
other, it's to have l. man fussing about
my cooking"
"I made my own pie last Thanksgiv-
ing" said Seth with unintended pathos.
More shame for you," replied
Huldah. There worn't anybody to
blame but yourself if you did, for you
knew that I'd a come over and made 'em
for you. All wanted was an invita-
ton"
"Why, I've invited you to come and
stay hundreds of times" said Seth, in
the same pathetic manner.
Well, suppose you have" was the
irritated response. 81 should like to
know how you think Miss Caroline
would get along without me? I've
been in this kitchen a good many ears,
Seth Smith, and the folks that I've
served are all gone now, 'cept Miss
Caroline, and wouldn't give her the
slip for a hundred men, no, not or q
thousand So, you can put that in your
pipe and smoke it as quick as you're a
mind to-"
"That's the kind of tobacco I've been
smoking ever since 1 can remember,
Huldah," said Seth, with comicaI grin,
but in minor key for all that; "but
I've kinder thought that mebbe what
you wouldn't do for a regiment, you
might some time see your way to do fol
the man you know you love, Huldah
whatever you may say and"
Rake them Goals again, Seth 7
broke in Huldah, with a well-feigneG
interest in the oven. cat this rate
don't believe shall get any baking
done to-dayP
"I've tried, lately" Seth began again
J ute ignoring the interruption, TO tr: