The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-02-28

and wait upon you in few mo-
ments.
~" How odd p said Arabella. "Who
Is his housekeeper, mammaw
don't know"
It soon appeared, when Uncle Israel
hung up their wraps in a wardrobe,
and brought them a repast of very
good coffee, crackers and cheese, on a
little tray, for lunch, that he hadn't
any.
II had very good one, but she be-
came old and feeble and unable to
work. A woman comes twice a week
from the village, washes, irons, cleans
and bakes for me; the rest Of the time
I manage to serve myself"
"How actually dreadful, Uncle Is
rael, for a man as rich as you are to
live that way p exclaimed Mrs. Crea-
mer.
"I'm old-fashioned, need little, and
do not like uncongenial people about
me. l do very WELL" he answered,
mildly, looking observantly at the
lady.
"Aint you lonelyp" asked Mildred,
little timidly.
mo-" he answered, with q smile in
his blue eyes; and rising, he unclosed
the door of a very pleasant library,
holding hundreds of books. 81 have
my garden, my books, and my neigh
Dor, Mr.. Delorme."
"Who is that?"
. "My minister"
Then he begged his niece to tell him
of herself. This the lady was very
ready to do, and when the story was
told he proposed that the three spend
few months with him, and he would
think how he could best assist them.
He is nice, isn't he, Bell?" asked
Mildred, as the two sisters unthreaded
their braids at bedtime.
"Oh, don't know; 1t depends, you
know" yawned Bell. ats going to
be awful poky here, isn't it?"
Do you think so2 l don't. There's
beautiful fruit and flower-garden,
and the books, you know"
g don't care for books. l shan't
stay here one minute longer than can
help"
Fortunately for her tastes, Arabella
was able TO terminate her visit at the
end of week. Uncle Israel gave his
niece one hundred dollars, and pro-
posed that one of her daughters make
it her permanent home with him.
alt won't be mew exclaimed Ara
bella. "And that is all he is going to
do for us ? How mean !"
"Beggars mustn't be choosers," F."
sighed Mrs. Creamer.
"I think Uncle Israel is perfectly
right" said Mildred. 81 don't see
why three perfectly healthy women
should depend on anybody for living.
For my part, l can maintain myself
and choose to stay here. lisa good,
pleasant home, and needs woman's
hand. l can make myself useful here,
and shall try to be contented. You
and Bell can visit among papa's rela-
tions. mamma, and perhaps you can
find her rich husband. l will dc
without a husband for the present
unless he finds me here"
You'll be an old maid," warned
Bell.
"Then I'll be as nice one as ever
l can"
Mrs. Creamer was rather glad OF
Mildred's choice. 1t lessened her cares
and expenses.
." At least, it's the best we can dc
for the present" she said. 81 'hea
there is Il party of very nice people al
the Springs, aud if l should be so for
tunate as to find good match for Bel
this summer, I'll take you in band
You're younger, you knowfMilly,'
But Mildred was not listening. Sh,
was already looking ab9ab her new do
main with the eye of ;T3nistress.
Mrs. Creamer and ASsbell@ set forth
commencing u kind 0fanomad exist
ence for the summer; and Mildred, t
Uncle IsraeIs secret satisfaction, be
came housekeeper at the homestead.
The house was well furnished will
what was serviceable and good, ant
MilGred's tasteful hands daily drew
from it unexpected possibilities.
Old vases came out of hidden nook
and were filled with flowers ole
carpets came up, the floors wer,
stained and polished, and bright drug
gets put down; and when Mildred hat
been at work few weeks the rathe
forlorn kitchen shone like risin,
star.
Old Judy's instructions were such a
she had never had before.
"You are expecting company t
/ supper, Miss AIildred?" she asked, on
day, when the young lady, having fin
ished the most delicious of macaroons
insisted upon having the loaf cak
frosted.
"Yes. Uncle Israel will be here,
= answered Mildred, with smile.
II did her good TO see how please
Uncle Israel was at having everything
= nice.
Without disturbing his habitua
S serenity, she had worked all her change
so that the transformation had tn