The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-04-07

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"Six O'clock" cries May, stopping
her warbling to laugh up in the face of
the old clock that chimed the hour.
six O'clock" she laughs, as she turns
the fragrant rashers in the oven, and
casts a searching glance at the table TO
see that it contains all her own home
made dainties. Father will be here
presently. wonder If Abe will
Hush, you naughty thing" she adds,
under her breath, and pressing her
hands to her rosy mouth, rs she hears
crunching sound drawing nigh.
The sound draws nearer till it stops
outside, when there is scraping and
stamping of feet, and then the door
opens, and fragrant, warm smell, and
a bright gleam of light, and smile of
delicious youth and innocence stream
out in the face of the night and salute
the intruders.
The first to enter is m an, tall, and
slightly bent, with thin, aged face,
and fair, long beard, plentifully leav-
ened with gray hairs. He bends down,
with an air not quite in keeping with
mis- homely garb, and impresses fer
vent kiss on the sweet, upturned face
that greets him. He then steps aside
with a courteous movement and dis
closes the figure of robust youth, with
beardless face wreathed in smiles,
halfdiffident. half-assured, altogether
guileless.
"Come in, Abe" says the little
hostess, as he beams at her from the
doorway.
Smiling, Abe insinuates himself past
her, without word, merely rubbing
the top Of his frost-smitten nose by way
of salutation.
In or about this hour, Abe Gilman
generally insinuated himself into the
presence of May, and beguiled his even
ings in the company of her and her
father. George Seton had some books
which greatly interested him, especially
when read to him by the owner or his
daughter, and he occasionally borrowed
one, though frequently puzzled by some
of the words; for Abe was not much of
a scholar, but he had taste for litera-
ture, and for Mays society, which was
a sort of education in itself.
You haven't had supper, Abe" said
May, invitingly, to the visitor, with n
peep at him that might have upset a
more confident youth.
I'm just goin' back to it," said Abe,
apologetically. 81 only KEN for book
yer father promised to loan me-"
Better stay for supper now, Abe, !"
said George Seton, in his quiet but
kindly way.
Don't require to be coaxed too much
before you consent" said MAY, with
mock gravity, and merry twinkle in
her blue eye, that sent Abe into n CON
vulsive litter, and brought him to the
table without further parley.
"Who went to Fairbank to-daYp in
quired May, when she had set the meal
in full motion.
"Abe, my dear; he brought you your
paper" answered her father. 81 was
chopping wood all day; much warmer
work-eh. Abep"
Eyes, SIR" returned Abe, with an
emphasis on the second word that eft
no mistake as to his thorough agreement
with his friends opinion. 81 never
thought I'd get home. There wasn't a
soul to be seen in the village, 'cept what
was keepin' the stove warm in the store
There was lady that KEN by the cars,
an she wanted to start straight away
for Mansfield, an she offered ten dollars
to any one that'd take her, an, by golly,
sir, she couldn't TO save her life git one
that'd face it"
"She was a trump" laughed May,
land she'd face it herself?"
Eyes, by golly, she would that, " said
Abe; but she had so many shawls,
an turs, an wraps with her, that
think she could have slep' in the snow
for a week without being frozen"
"It's nasty road from here to Mans
"but that was a stiff price F"
"She may get some one. -.that'll take
her yet" said May.
"She may, and she mayn't," !" said Abe,
grinning comfortably at the fire. " II
Jack Price was around, don't think he'd
let so much money go. / think he'd
skin himself an that horse OF his for the
whisky that ten dollars'd buy"
q fear he'd run the risk of it, Abe, y
said George, smiling. Poor Jack is Il
rare fellow for his whisky"
-" Hushr' cried May, "this is a sleigh
; coming now; Pm sure heard the bells
, Perhaps it's she. Look and see, Abe"
2 "He couldn't see his finger outside, my
dear, - said her father, taking down his
pipe off the mantle and filling it, whilst
Abe rose to poep out.
! The tinkling sound advanced rapidly
but it was dark rs pitch, and sleet anC
7 snow were travelling furiously with thC
G wind.
e Abe could see nothing from the door
step, so he ran down to the woodeT
1 bridge that spanned the frozen stream
! He could now discern the dark obiec
:, coming furiously toward him, but h,
!, noticed, with anxiety, that it was in
- clining dangerously near the side OF tn,
i road on which was tHe little ravine.
d Onward came the snorting horse a
J. the top of his speed, but closer and close
It to the brink of the highway.
= Abe raised bis hands and voice il
e alarm to the driver, but his warnin
r was not heard, or heard too late, for tn
next instant the horse and sleigh ha
r tumbled into the bed of frozen water.
y The hoarse cry Of man in pain and
Al stifed moan reached the ears of tn
ID Mortified Abe, as he shouted Oui
Of "Georgel Georgem
But George, who had heard the crash
le was on hand a moment after the acc
n dent with "A lantern, snd, taking til
I'd situation in at a glance, first released tn
re furiously struggling horse, an6 the
as lifted up the heavy sleigh that had cou
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