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

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with thanks. had also written vers
de societe which had been pronounced
by good critics as witty as Holmes; but
when / sent them to the magazines, /
received neat printed circEaar saying
that, lowing to the overcrowded state
of the Market" they could not accept
anything more at present, but urging me
to believe that 9 want of literary merit"
had nothing whatever to do with their
rejection.
Florence, getting desperate, advertised
for private pupils in mathematics; but
the only one who appeared was bent on
! studying logarithms, which she had
found so tedious when a schoolgirl that
she had skipped them altogether. This
was too bad, for sheis really a splendid
mathematician, as far as the principles
go, and that is the reason probably she
hates eternal figuring SO much.
With her music the contrary is true.
She knows nothing about the theory,
but her practice is exquisite; so of
course she cannot give lessons.
She sews very well, ] believe-at least
we are all kept neat and whole-and she
has good taste; but she says her
stitches will not bear examination, and
! If she tried TO sew better, she should
work SO slowly that she could not earn
| her salt. Her housekeeping is very
pleasant, know; but we have hun
dred little idiosyncrasies which would
make taking boarders impossible, even
If it were not intolerable, so we have
never seriously considered that ques-
| ton.
1t will probably be thought cold
blooded in me to speak in this way of
my wife's earning anything, especially
| hod i-l
she had everything to do for the chill
dren and for me; and, in fact, did not
mean she should do anything, but she
was always pondering the matter, and
in some dark momen gave in little
! myself. l thought ] would commit
suicide, and let her support the chill
drenl
1t is obvious that now neither of us
felt as sure of our elevated character or
Of our talents as before the legacy was
lost, and we had at last arrived at the
aforementioned state of blank despair
cit is really too bad" said Florence,
at last; it would take so little to make
US happy, and yet we can't have it,"
There is nothing under heaven to be
DONE" said /, gloomily, but for me to
go as a day-laborer in factory; and as
/ am unskillful, and very old for a be-
ginner, cannot earn enough to support
the family, so think, my dear, that you
had better go into the same factory:
| that is. If we can find work, PC hich
think doubtful in these times. And we
will apprentice the children to the trade,
so they will be better able to take care
of themselves than we were when they
grow up"
Florence made no reply to this re-
mark, but shortly after began a short
catechism.
Evan, are you aristocraticP"
"No, not exactly, " said /; " like the
things aristoCratic people have, you
know, but it is not for fear of losing
caste that / object TO the factory"
Il thought not" said Florence. COM
| placently; "but of course you object to
the grind and so do 1. Now the ques-
ton is. what are the necessities OF life
to youP'
"Oh, es," said I. First, you and
the children; second, house that does
not leak to cover us; third, corn cake
unG salt fish; fourth, a good fire in the
wirt ter; IF warm wooden suit for
cache us; sixth, sone light active out
door employment, which will not re-
4 duce my spirits to such q point that
can't enjoy your society when l have
leisure to sit down in the evening"
"And you would like TO keep a
horseP" said Florence, confidently.
why, yes" said, rather surprised
"but since we have never kept one since
we were married, it seems to me We
might dispense with it now."
"Unless it came lin the way OF bust
ness" said Florence, calmly. Nov
that l know what your real views o
the necessaries OF life are, have plal
which | had hesitated to propose be
fore, thinking you might demand more.
She unfolded a newspaper, and polntc[
to an advertisement.
NOR SALE.-The horse, cart and complet
IL stock OF a tin peddler. Excellent route
, Business pays well. Sells only because iamif
! matters require removal TO the West. Term
/ easy. Address A. WIoKs,
: Plainvill
l I felt a spark of hope. 'I suppos
l you are in fun, Florence" said; " bu
| really think l should not hate this a
? much as anything else l see any pros
/ pect of trying. However ii will proba
d bly, amount to nothing"
Y It then appeared that it was severg
y days since Florence had seen the notice
and she had taken pains to inquire int
d the matter before speaking to me. Sh
IS kNew some one in Plainville who ha
y learned all the particulars. 1t reall
IS was true. The business was good, ths
r is, of its kind. "Of course" our il
d formant said, sit did not pay anythin
k like the laws" and we hoped he ws
II right. The peddler really was goin
IF West, for he had money enough to liN
5. on, and his Wife's health demande
|, change of climate. He would sell chea
r and let us pay in installments, and v
could rent his cottage for very sma
* sum.
d It did seem proVidential. Ridir
Te about the country, even in a peddleI
re cart, had far more attractions for n
Te than toiling in factory. Besides, Ia
ge a secret assurance that l had no capaci
it for "toil," and / knew could dri'
- any horse in-Plqinvile at least. Tht
7e the selling, my gooa looks q believe
ly forgot to mention that before), my &c