The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-02-23

of which was the subject. Our con-
versation on these occasions was of the
prlmmest and most demure. Sometimes,
after silent walk of two or three min
utes, a feeble request 10 carry my prayer
book, and that yielded to, few remarks
on the weather, and so on, and we were
already nj our journeys end; neverthe-
less this was sufficient food for mischief
loving friends TO found a Joke upon.
As TO Mr.. Bargill himself, he was
fair game" His conscious, conceited,
and yet awkward and bashful manner,
made him, must confess, most tempt
ing subject; and while he had quickness
enough to see that in some way or
other he was ridiculed, his sense of
humOr was so dull that he could never
comprehend the joke. all this COM
bined to make him undergo torture
when in my friends society, and l verify
believe he fled to me quite, sedate and
harmless as | was) as a refuge from
their sallies. Whether that were so or
no know rot, but by degrees became
quite used to his society. and from toll
rating got to like it and to miss him
when he did not come; and when the
kes ragged, invariably took his part.
Valentines day drew near, and o
course Kate Coventry was full of
business. There were valentines of all
kinds to be dispatched and expected
In return. Numerous "hoaxes" de-
signed for particular friends, and the
plots and schemes rs TO places of post
age and disguise Of hand writing, were
truly wonderful.
"What fun it would be to send val
entine to Mr.. Bargillp exclaimed
Charley. what would he do with itl
Put it into the fire, ] expect, and never
let any one hear of it. He would feel it
an insult"
',,Mr. Bargilip exclaimed Kate, sud-
denly looking up from her work of di-
recting and stamping envelopes. "Why,
of course, he shall have one. How
stupid of me to forget! It's important,
though. ] must take time to think OF
it. Of course we know who the sender
W II ber'
She glanced at me as she said this.
" Kate, please do not" I said, i'm
ploringly, blushing up to the roots OF
my hair, for / knew that was doomed
" Do not what ?" replied Kate. "Oh!
by.the.bye Ethel, you're sure to receive
some this year-one at least"
YES" broke in Charley. Directed
in very stiff, upright hand. Now, who
would think that such very modest,
retiring person would write such very
decided hand You know who mean,
Miss Vane ?"
So the remarks few round, and
knew that remOnstrance was vain, and
that Mr.. Bargill and myself were to be
Not only that, but greatly feared that
fhnu infondnd sand ~ ottha,. 1oy,
tine to Inc in his name, or, far worse,
one from me to him.
For some reason this latter idea was
torture to me. OF course what re-
ceived myself was a matter of little
consequence. l should know whom to
thank for it; but ifI only could know
how they meant to make use of my un-
lortu 4ate name in playing their jokes
upon him.
So time wore on, and 1 comforted
myself by thinking that Mr.. Bargill,
come what might, would believe that
had sent him a valentine, more espe-
cially such one as feared they would
send him.
&c 1t will be as Charley said" ]
thought. He will most likely put it
in the ire. and no one will bea whit the
wiser"
And then caught myself wondering
it would make him shy of our
and whether he would cease
tue walks from church, etc. And ]
must allow that the idea Vexed me.
"How very tiresome they arew said
TO myself. "And what bad taste it is
10 play these jokes on people" forgetting
for the moment how often had my
self been party to jokes of the kind.
At last Valentines morning came.
There was much excitement round the
breakfast table when the post-bag, full
20 bursting, was handed in.
| waited patiently for my share of its
They were three. First, a
etter from home in 10Y mothers writ
ing; secondly, a large document, di-
'ected in the stiff, upright hand l had
been led to expect; thirdly, letter di-
,ected in a handwriting perfectly un
Known to me. l opened the second
mentioned first.
Now, Ethel, let us hearw assailed
ne on every side.
"That's the writingl knew it would
,omew shouted Charley.
"Chank you, i am much Obliged TO
Tou ALL" I replied. cit is admirably
written; but this one is much better
lone"-as spoke | held up the third
written in the unknown
land. THAT large one is too elaborate.
Mr.. Bargill, am sure, would never
end such a howery composition as
hat. Now, this is sober, and to the
,oint."
1 had just read it, and was surprised
o find only short, simple, earnest
Dffer OF marriage-not much like q
except that the writer slight
y referred TO the character OF the day
IS kind of apology for at vessing me.
It was signed only u. B
- see," l said. "Y thought by |
ending me two that should certainly |
De caught by one of them. This last |
)ne is certainly the best. Some of your !
WORK, suspect, Connie. 1t is not in I
katie's style"
Constance protested her innocence;
DuJ in vain. Indeed, a general chorus |
was raised round the table;
lut l simply ignored it, put the two |
Va lep tines in uly pocket. and began tO I