The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-12-19

In all the surrounding farmhouses,
even to the hut of Tom Kelly, the section
hand, which was spilling over with child
rem of all sizes, there was some prepar-
ations for feast of thanksgiving and a
holiday from labor Loads of laughing
people rode by, going to the homes Of
friends or relatives to celebrate the day
But amidst all the emerrymakings, Nor
ris house stood grim and silent.
Scarcely II word was spoken during the
early morning hours, and Mrs. Norris
went about her household duties with Il
sterner and more defiant expression than
usual upon her face-an expression which
seemed to say:
"If any Power expects me to be CRATE
ful to-day for the misfortunes which have
fallen so thickly on my past, it will be
disappointed"
Mr. Norris was just leading out his
horses to water, and Janet was in the
stable getting out hay, when stranger
approached-a tall, bearded man, who
lifted his hat politely as he accosted Mr..
Norris:
"This is Mr.. Norris, believer
Mr.. Norris lifted his mild blue eyes, in
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innocence and meekness had crept with
his long and cruel sufferings, and an
swered in the affirmative.
"Well, sir / am informed that your
horses are for sale. | suppose this is the.
span. am wanting to buy, and as | was
passing near here this morning took the
liberty of calling, although knew it was
Thanksgiving day, to see if we could
agree on terms. What is the price you
have set on your span"
Mr.. Norris drew his hand across his
brow.
81 cannot remember" he said,
Though Janet and were talking it
over this very morning. But everything
slips from my mind so since my fall.
Janet will know; you just step inside the
barn, sir and you'll find her. Ho, Janet! !!
here's a customer for the horses" He
led the horses on toward the watering
trough, and the stranger stepped inside
the barn, and at the same time spoke the
name he had heard Mr.. Norris speak, but
in a different tone: ",Janetm ~
1t was voice that brought Janet from
the hay-loft, with wide glad eyes and
crimson checks, and palpitating heart.
And no sooner did she catch sight of the
stranger than she flew to him crying
"Oh, my love, my loven and flung her
self upon his bosom in passion of tears.
But five minutes later when Mr.. Norris
returned, leading the horses to their stalls,
he found the two in quiet conversation in
a distant part of the stable. A little
later he went into the house and left them
still talking, so confident that it would
all be managed right if he left it to Janet.
And it tired him so to think.
After time Janet came to the house.
She went to the kitchen, where she found
Mrs. Norris, who looked up at her with
an expression of surprise in her brooding
eyes.
Why, what has happened to you,
Janet, that your cheeks are all aglow
Have you sold the team fora fortuneln
"Ay," laughed Janet, and then draw
ing nearer, she said: Mrs. Norris, a
man has come to buy the team and pay
the mortgage on the farm, and Oh, Mrs.
Norris, forgive Inc for deceiving you all
these years, but | am married woman,
and this man who has come is my hus-
band and he has money to pay up all the
debts and make us all home while we
shall live. Did not tell you that some
thing might happen"
But Mrs. Norris drew back, the dark
cloud upon her face growing darker,
so, -" she said, slowly, . this
accounts for your seeming kind
ness, Janet Dyer You have been
scheming all these years to get the
house and farm in your own hands,
to hc mistress here, and now it's done,
and you pretend you want us to remain
-paupers-charity objects under your
roof Never; Janet Dyer my husband
and ! will starve in the street first. You
would soon tire of us, you and your hus
band, whoever he may be. We will go
at once and leave you in full possession
of your home. All, the world is all alike,
seltish-selfsh to the core. knew some
selfish purpose lurked under all your
seeming kindness | knew it because
YOU were human. No, no, we'll not
tax your hospitality longer, Janet Dyerw
But Just then the door opened and
Janet's husband entered, and sprang
past her, and took the aged woman in
his arms, saying very gently as he clasped
her to his breast;
"But, supposing Janet's husband was
your lost boy, Ansley, mother, who had
Just come back TO make your old age
blest, would you not dwell under his
roof?n But he spoke to senseless ears,
for Mrs. Norris, with one glad cry of
''Ansley, my boy my boylp had swooned
away to Inconsistencies.
After she recovered there was a glad
day of Thanksgiving at Norris house.
And there was long story to tell now it
all happened.
Ansley had been shot in gaming
room, and had been taken to a hospital
for treatment.
Janet was one of the nurses there, and
they had loved each other at sight.
As soon as Ansley was conyalescent he
had told her his story, had asked her to
marry him, and, as soon as the ceremony
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