The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-06-04


For moment Mrs. Baker was tempted
to rush into the next room and frankly
tell her neighbors "what she thought Of
Them" but angry as she was, an in
stant's deliberation convinced her that
such course would be highly inju-
dicious, and might lead to a scandal
which would afford the village gossip
for months to come. So, without giving
any intimation of her presence, she hur-
riedly left the house.
$50 this is how my neighbors talk of
me behind my back |" she murmured, as
she reached her own kitchen again, and
threw off her hat and shawl. ''Th:s is
how am traduced because l would not
sit up all night with querulous old
woman"
She was very, very angry; but gradual
ly she grew calm, and began to think
over quietly all she had heard. The
longer she thought, the more reasonable
seemed the charges which had been
brought against her. Had she brought
her religion into her daily lifeY Was it
not true that it was kept more for show
than for wear2 Bottled up, as Tilly had
said, and the cork taken out only on Sun
days in prayer-meeting Had her re-
ligion made her more lenicnt to the
faults of her daughter1 Had it caused
her to be more gentle and kind to her
husband9 Had it caused her to forgive
old Miss Starr an offense of ten years.
standing9
Poor Mrs. Bakerl the truth brought
home to her thus roughly from other lips
did more toward opening her eyes to her
own past conduct than any advice or
counsel, however kindly meant, could
have done.
When John came in at 10 o'clock he
was surprised 10 find his wife in tears.
Such sight was extremely novel to say
the least, and he was very much dis
tressed by it. But he was not given any
key to the mystery. Sarah took up her
candle and went to bed without word.
Madge thought her mother strangely
silent and subdued the next morning, and
watched her with some anxiety.
.Tm afraid mothers going to be sick, !"
she said to her father, following him out
into the yard when he went to the pump
for pail of water.
'She does act sorter queer" admitted
John. "We must jest be gentle with her
and not answer her back if she gets
riled."
AS Madge came back into the kitchen
again her mother looked up from the pan
of milk she was skimming.
''You can have your club meet here on
Tuesday if you choose, Madge, y she said.
'Tye thought better of what said yes
terday."
"Oh, mother, how good of youp cried
Madge, running to kiss her-a caress
which Mrs. Baker received very kindly.
''We shall be ever so careful of the car
pet and curtains. And / want to tell
you, mother that am sorry made such
fuss last night. 1t was ridiculous, as
you said, and Pm ashamed of myself.
And beg your pardon for speaking to
you as did, too"
''Well both forget all about it." said
Mrs. Baker; ''and now"-as John came
in with the water-'I want to hold o
consultation about Miss Starr. 1t is only
right that we should do what we can to
help her. What do you say to sub
scription to buy her another COW, John
l should think we could raise enough to
buy her milker quite as good as old
! Queen"
"Just the thingi" exclaimed John.
"You have such a clear head, SARAH Tll
put my name down for three dollars"
"And I will carry the subscriptions
paper around, said Madge. 'I'm a first
class beggar, you knowp
The news that Mrs. Baker had under
taken to restore to Mrs. Starr her means
of livelihood flew about the village like
wildfire, and handsome sum was soon
raised for the old lady, whose gratitude
to her former enemy was very touching.
She could not say enough in Mrs Bakers
praise.
The first step is always the hardest.
Mrs. Baker found it not at all difficult to
keep on in the new path into which she
had stepped. There were, very naturally,
times when she forgot her new resolutions
but the thought of Miss Tilly's remark
about her religion was always sufficient
to give her strength to begin again.
GLOW good of you, Mrs Baker, to take
up the cause of that poor Mrs. Starr l''
said Tilly Marsh, one day, when she met
her neighbor in the village street.
'It was only my duty, " said Mrs Baker.
81 was the only person to see to her, you
know, since am on the relief commit
tee."
When Miss Tilly went home she said
to her mother that she felt sure they had
done Mrs. Baker injustice in thinking heI
yainglorious and selfish.
"Perhaps we did," said Mrs. Marsh.
81 don't understand her lately. She isn't
at all as she used to be. Something has
changed her / wish I knew what il
was" But she never did.
How to Preserve the Voice.
! Emma Ahhntt- the singer. saws