The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-06-10
: UNCLE ALlCK'S PROPHECY.

Yes, Robert, l know it's poor
place, but don't feel willing to give it
up. It's been my home-as it was my
fathers before me; and i did hope ~
with sigh" you'd ha' taken to
1t, and made it as good as twas in his
time. Your own poor father never had
any luck with it."
4" Nor do | expect any, mother It
takes a natural liking and natural tai
ent to succeed Mt any business, and I've
none for farming. l wish l could per
suade you to sell the place, and let me
set up store at the crossroads. We
could make more there, without the la
Dor and care that it costs us here"
81 ain'tt - sure of that, Robert Per-
ehaps if-Io- d marry and settle, down
here, w4,h good managing wife to help
you, you'd do better and be better salts
fed; and if it, weren't for old David
Gardner's obstinacy you and Lettv.A-p
Enough, motherl" interrupted Rob-
ert, flushing all over his handsome. sun
burnt face; sits no use to say ANYTHING
more on that subject. I'll never ask any
woman to marry me so long as know
that | couldn't afford her a suitable help.
or so long as there's mortgage hanging
over the roof that I'd bring her TO. A
fathers hardly to be blamed for saving
that his daughter shall never marry a
poor man, to break herself down as her
mother did, with work. So that's set
tied"
His mother looked at him anxiously
over her spectacles.
''lf it want for the mortgage" she
said, slowly, 1--WE might get along.
Twas that worried your father into his
grave-that, and not finding the gold
streak"
Her son made an impatient movement
and she added:
Don't YOU think you could get a
little more time allowed us, Robert.
Maybe when the crops sold, and the
apples and cider"
''Mr. Davis won't hear of it, mother,
saw him yesterday and talked it over.
but he insists it must all be paid by the
first of August-ah, here he comes
now"
Robert went out to meet the well
dressed, sharp-eyed man in his hand
some buggy, while his mother remained
on the back-porch. with sleeves rolled
up, mixing dough for the poultry.
"There amt manySof 'em to feed
now," she said, talking aloud to herself,
as she had been accustomed with her
late husband. "What with cholera and
gapes in the chickens, and weak legs in
the turkeys, / hain't had any but i'll
luck with the lot of 'em this year. Then
there's old Speck missing-the best
layer of 'em all, and Gold streaks fit for
nothin' sence her legs broke. All, me
I'm nightly afeared that she's the only
goldstreak We'll ever know on this
pacew
"What's that about gold streak, Mrs.
Langlyp exclaimed a clear young voice.
And a girl with a sweet face and
bright brown eyes and blue-striped
chintz dress fitting perfectly to her trim
figure, stood smiling before her
Mrs. Langly's face frightened imme-
diately.
"Why, Lefty how you do always
manage to take one by SURPRISE as if
you'd risen out o. the yearth or dropped
down from the clouds! Well, child,
you're welcome! And how's your
motherl"
Lefty made a suitable reply, and ex-
planned how she had been sent by her
mother on some little business connected
with quilt-patterns, for the invention of
which Mrs. Langly was famous.
"You shall have my gold-streaked
pattern" said the old lady, promptly.
'FIt's the hsndsomest of all, and I've
never before given it away-not even to
the minister's wife, who was so taken
with it"
"Gold-streaked againm said Lefty,
smiling. That appears to be favorite
name with you"
"Ah, my dear, I've cause to think
heap of that name Maybe it would be
better if hadn't; and maybe again.
well, nobody can tell yet"
There was moments silence, when
she resumed
81 dare say, Lefty, you've thought me
obstinate and selfish in opposing Rob's
wish to sell the farm. But had rea-
son, child, more on his account than
mine; and think | mays well tell it to
YOU. | know you're to be trusted not 10
20 and spread it around among the neigh
bors, who would no doubt be limiting
that I'd better be put in lunatic asylum.