The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-11-19

Dear tninBs, DuSaH' AHSiS
lots of things has to be borne in
this world, and them that
learns to bear 'em best's the best
off Men will be trying, and il woman
can't be patient it's apt to make trouble.
But mind--when ! say bear l mean
there's reason in all things, and l don't
mean you should bear things that's out
of all reason. If a woman III let herself
be trod on, she's sure to be trod on and
them that does it, II never thank her for
it OF look up to her for 1t. Bear what's
reasonable, Susan, but If things goes be.
yond reason, why then look out for
yourself"
1t came about that when the next Oc-
tober term of the circuit court was in
session John was drawn on the jury,
and had to be away for two weeks.
"Why, what in the worlds this, Su-
SAM" he said, staring into the wood
shed when he got home the second Sat-
urday.
"That's my winters supply of wood"
said Susan.
"And how in the dickens did it get
there-and in such good shape, toow
He gazed at it in astonishment.
1t was in good shape. Row after row
of we'll seasoned, neatly sawed and split
wood piled to the rafters, with heap of
pine and hemlock in kindling lengths in
one corner.
~ had it put there" said Susan,
quietly.
Some more questions he asked, but,
with little way she sometimes had of
asserting herself, she gave him to under
stand she had nothing more to tell, and
he was ashamed to ask any one else.
The winter brought its usual round of
simple gayeties in the country rieighbor-
hood, in which John and his wife took
their full share.
at seems to me, Susan" he said one
sociahc, "you don't fix up quite enough
when you go out"
Don't look nice9"
"'Yes, of course you do; but that's a
dress you had when we were married,
and that's nigh on tive years ago.
haven't seen anything of that silk gave
you last fall"
care you sure," she said, with a smile
which nc could not understand.
eyes, am. 'Taint even made up yet,
is it2"
'Yes, it is. And you've seen it
worn"
John was puzzled and felt sure he had
not, but Susan would give him no fur
ther satisfaction on the subject OF the
! silk dress.
As spring approached, she made few
suggestions as to the advisability Of fire
wood being set to season ia due time.
But John, prompt and diligent in prepa-
ration for seed time and harvest, full of
the best intentions regarding his wife's
comfort, still thought the wood was one
of the things which could be looked to
any time, and Susan soon gave over re-
minding him of it,
One day in September he came home
to dinner and found cold lunch wait
ing him. The house was clean and
quiet and cherries; no wife there,
but a written line which ran
DEAR JoHN:-I am going to spend the day
over at Mrs. Carriers. VIII be home in time
TO give you a late SUPPER
He was glad to have her go, for she
had had a busy summer and needed a
little change. But there was day out
the next week and the next and the
next, until he began to wonder at Susans
growing taste for gadding about. In
early October he came home to find his
woodward, which had still remained
empty, occupied by half dozen or so
cords of frst.class wood, with Sol Car
ter and his two big boys busy at it, and
they worked until it was stored up as
before in the shed. And John felt cross,
but asked no questions.
"WheIe's Mrs. Barkerp said small
Carter boy TO John, as he put up his
bars one evening.
"She's over to neighbor Grants. You
will find her there if you want her."
''lt amt no matter. You can tell her
here's the sewin' she's to do for mother,
and mother wants TO know if she can
come ard wash to our house tomorrow.
"The-old scratch she does" ex-
claimed John, turning on the boy in
blank amazement, which rapidly grew
into anger. Mrs Barker hire out to do
washin' and sewin'2 What dye mean
by comm to noe with such message,
you young rascal9"
The astonished youngster dropped his
sewing and applied his knuckles 70 his
eyes as John advanced toward him, then
ran with all his might as the bundle
came whizzing after him. And Susan'f
lord and master strobe in wrath down
the road to meet her.
"Susan-I don't understand this
there's peer young chap talkin' about
sewin' and washin for Mrs. Carter
What in all creation does 1t mean, I'd
like to know"
at ali right, " said Susan, composed
ly. "What was the messagem
''You don't mean to say you sew ant
, wash for other folks, do your"
"Yes; do"
"And for what. Is there anything
, you want, Susan, that l don't giv'
/ youi"
Eyes, John, there is. want wood
; can't saw and chop, but can wash anC
sew and do anything else a woman ough
! tn do and there's no blame to me for