The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-08-23

German so beautifully-and it's 80 kind
of Aunt Edie to have you share Grace's
advantages Papa may be sick for two
OF three months. 1 wish l were half so
good as you, Nonie," said Meta, with o
hopeless little sigh.
Monte pressed the plump arm, and
gave her sister loving smile.
=" / can catch up evenings, There is
Mr.. Stedman's store now. Let's go
right in, and have it settled" said
Monte, with quiet decision. She had
shared her parents burdens since she
was ten years old, and while IL had not
robbed her OF girlish brightness, it had
made her constantly thoughtful and
helpful.
Mr.. Stedman was naturally surprised
at three such golden-haired lasses in
vading his business sanctum, and bent
his brows rather gravely at Monies
proposition.
"I can try it, sir, If you will only let
me-" said Monte, modestly, "1 always
help father with the books at home,
and he says can do it as we'll as he
can. 1t will keep the place for father
till he gets well, and, OF course, we
SOuANh non JOu w bhhp uhApoo WO
supplied q substitute"
"You're a good girl--a good girl.
Come here" said Mr.. Stedman, abruptly,
and led her to desk covered with ledg-
ers and day.books, "Give me speci-
men OF your work, and we'll see." He
watched her from shaggy (though not
unkind) brows, as she neatly and rapidly
executed the little task he assigned,
and, woman-like, carefully wiped her
pen before replacing it in the rack.
"Bravol Consider yourself engaged
for o'clock tomorrow morning. We'll
see you in mercantile establishment
of your own one of these days." and
Mr.. Stedman bowed the party out with
delightful, old-fashioned courtesy,
though they we're "only his book
keepers daughters"
"NOw, not word to papa or mamma, 7"
said Winona, gayly. "Won't it be
delicious to hand him the salary when
he gets well I'll beg Aunt Edie not
to tell"
"What will you say If they ask you
about your lessons2" said Meta, who
was trife given to seeing "hons in
the way"
dodge it." was the brief reply;
"and go must Dill and you"
"Let's get up all sorts Of surprises.
Well be 'artful dodgers'-form q club
of three, called the "A d. O., and not
q soul but ourselves will know what it
means till we choose to tell them" said
Dill, in high glee. She loved mysteries
innocent, pleasant ones.
$50 we will Itll be jollyI" Choir
used the others.
By this time they had come to a
home-like house on quiet street, with
no style about it, but "heaps of com
fort" as the girls said. Monte ran up
the steps and flew into the arms Of a
pale, but pleasant dark-eyed lady,
who had been watching at the parlor
window for the first glimpse of her
sunny daughter.
"Precious little Noniel Did you have
real rest, and beautiful time, dearie,
as you expected"
"Oh, yes, indeed Splendid But
how pale you ere, mamma darling ]"
etc.
"Now We will 60 up and see poor
dear papa" said Monte, and the suffer
ing father almost forgot his pain in the
greeting of his bright eldest daughter.
Monte settled down to tell of her visit,
while the girls brought her dinner up
stairs and hovered lovingly around her,
as she satisfied healthy girls appe-
tite. After dinner, Joanna must be
visited in the kitchen. Monies trunk
was brought and unpacked, and the
evening slipped away in the dear old
shabby house.
"Girls," called their mother feebly,
as the little troop filed past her door
the next morning.
"Mamma's down now Her voice
sounds sick |" said Dill in dismsy, and
they all went in to pet and pity her and
receive orders.
81 can't get up, dears. Joanna and
you will have to manage for a while,
and you can take turns waiting on papa.
It's too bad, just as Monte has come
home, and wanted to make such 6
good Thanksgiving for you all u She
thought of Elmer and sighed, pressed
their little hands close to her face and
kissed the rosy fingers. She "babied'
her girls though they were fast grow.
ing up.
"Never you worry, mamma dear,
said Dill. "We'll get along beautifully
and take splendid care of papa--and
you, too"
She smiled at their affectionate eager
ness. "Pm not sick enough to neet
much waiting on. Rest is all 1 want
Just bring me = cup Of tea, Dill, and b.
J sure to have papa's toast nice anC
brown. Don't think of staying at hom,
from Aunt Edie's, Monte child, We shal
not need you. Now run along, Joanni
: is ringing the breakfast bell"
With a conscious flush at the allusiol
to Aunt Edie's, Monte kissed her mother
, and the three hurried downstairs. Di
) prepared two ravishing little brekkfas
trays, which Meta helped TO carry up.
/ "How doleful breakfast is by our
3 selves 1" sighed Meta. afterWard