The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-08-22
HIS WIFE.

The sun had just set when 1 arrived
at Somerset station. A whole mile to
walk in the pleasantest part of the
pleasanteat country in the world Soft
hills, batl In the suns parting glow,
dotted til pdscape on every side, and
over all 81 I'd tender, brooding sky.
What keeI pjoyment the anticipation
of sumh all alone with my best
friend had afforded me-and now 1
was almost there. There was the
house; old, brown and many-roomed,
and most of the rooms on the ground
floor. Grandmother herself had BEEN
the architect of the establishment.
An enthusiastic lover of nature was
this old lady of seventy years. Yes,
there she was l caught glimpse of
her white sleeve on the win1ow-sill.
would walk softly in and surprise
her. How exquisite the taste of this
presiding genius Heliotrope, migno-
nette and white roses Grandmother's
rose bushes were the envy of the whole
neighborhood. Shy little violets bor-
dered the graveled walk leading to the
low door-stone, and over beyond, in
grandmother's pet field, millions of yell
low-hearted daisies nodded and beck
oned to the soft evening breeze. Avoid
ing the treacherous pebbles, cut qui-
etly across to the front door, stealing
with cat-like tread through the long,
narrow hallway, and entering the
sitting room on my tip toes. Wonder
full victory Twice before had tried
sthis wonderful dodge, and each tine
had the old turkey gobbler. betrayed
me. Where was he on this occasion;
and why, when l really need his SER
vices, did he not prove my friend ?
Softly, softly, only step or two more.
The sensation of the next minute
wasn't anything to speak of; mean
by that it was indescribable. The
back of grandmother's big armchair
quite hid the occupant, and nothing
doubling, l made with great deXterity
for grandmothers eyes. 1 found the
eyes, but they didn't belong to grand
mother. l knew that before their
saucy owner had imprisoned my
hands.
"Who is itp" said he, like one first
awakening from IA sleep, "Let me
guess. The fingers are too little for
Madge. and too long to belong to
Sarah I"
found my tongue then. would
not wrench my hands away. That
would be rudeness; for he evidently
supposed them the property of some
intimate friend.
"Please release me-" 1 said; and
then, as he rose quickly apparently
surprised by the voice of a stranger
/ added, rather ludicrously, suppose,
for the tall fellow in the shirt sleeves
laughed right heartily, 81 thought you
were grandmother
"Never was taken for an old lady
before" he answered, with provoking
nonchalance; and then added, as he
hastily threw on a dressing-gown,
"what do you think about it now?"
Il think / should like to know
where grandmother is, and"
"And what am l doing here?" he
interrupted, with another laugh
"Your grandmother has gone to
spend the evening with sick neighbor.
belong to the next house-or rather
am visiting my sister. She was uneX-
pectedly telegramed away, and as !
have been i'll, and am not quite well
enough to take care of myself in the
absence Of housekeeper, your blessed
grandmother offered TO look out for
me until my sisters return. My name
is David Alcott, and yours. take it,
is Miss Susan Ellis" And then we
shook hands.
That evening marked a new era in
my life. l was comfortable, as was
always the case at grandmother's, and
was happy toO-happier than l had
ever been before. What it meant was
of no sort Of consequence to me then
did otstop to analyze my sensations
but enjoyed to the utmost the strange
entertainment fate and placed before
me. Mr.. AlcOtt showed where grand
mother had left the Strawberries after
tea. and then l skinned a pan OF
mornings milk, and prepared my
supper.
"YOu have been TO tea, of course 2
inquifed-of theBehtlemap, who lac
again taken UP his bAok,