The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-06-17
"Grown up9"
81 hope so; otherwise they will tower

"And do you understand themW
asked Mr.. Leigh, with gravity that
made the parsons blue eyes twinkle and
the corners of his mouth twitch.
Oh, no, don't understand them; I
don't understand any creature in petit
coats; but my daughters are good girls,
and their mother assures me that they
are remarkably gifted. What do / want
to understand them for2"
at might be an advantage under
some circumstances, Mr.. Leigh re-
marked.
"What is the matterl What girl do
you think it might be an advantage to
understand"
"My ward" answered Mr.. Leigh.
She is an orphan, far-away cousin of
my wife, and she has lived with us for
the past five years. She has nice lit
tie fortune; she is pretty she is we'll
bred"
THAT goes without saying" NUT
tered the parson, stroking his long
beard.
"But she hasn't grain of common
sense" Mr.. Leigh rose, took up posi-
ton on the rug, slipped his left hand
under the short tails of his cut-away
coat, and gesticulated with his right as
he warmed to his story. Last sum-
mer," he began, "she was twenty-one,
and just out of school. She went to
Cape May with the Phippards, people in
whom placed the utmost confidence.
thought she was safe with them; but 10
and behold she must make the acquaint-
ance of yoang gentleman who held the
responsible position of bookkeeper in
one of our large hardware shops, retail
concern, and he has sold many a paper
of tacks over the counter. / was in Eu-
rope; so this interesting tack-seller ran
down to Cape May every Sun
day, and staid until Monday.
Then he had clerks two weeks va
cation, and he spent that at Cape May.
| came back in October, and before l had
been home twenty-four hours who should
call at the house but this young man?
He wanted to sec me, and | saw him,
and was informed by him that he had
wooed and won my ward. l asked if
he proposed to take her to live over the
shop"
Mr.. Leigh's thin lips curled down
ward; he glanced at the parson for
sympathy, but he encountered steady,
somewhat critical look
why shouldn't they live over the
shop2" DR.. Melton said.
"Oh, you don't understand" Mr..
Leigh exclaimed, fretfully. "She has
been brought up in luxury, and she
ought to have some idea of what is
proper and fitting. There has been a
terrible time. Why, assure you l haze
had the sympathy OF all Philadelphia.
This hardware man had the effrontery to
say that he had money enough to take
care of a wife, just as though he had
never thought Of my wards little fortune.
He begged me to go and see his en-
ployers-people | never heard of-and |
told him that did not want their recon-
mendations; did not propose to hire a
bookkeeper. He was insolent, and l
ordered him out. Then she blazed away
at me, the weak, infatuated girl. l tried
to reason with her; my wife talked to
her; my son-well, you see, my son
wanted to marry her, too, and he would
have made just the husband for her, but
she told him if he spoke to her she
would ask her hardware man to protect
her. Think of itl AS though Morton
would insult her-the best. hammered man
that ever lived"
"And Morton is very fond of her." he
continued-"so fond of her, in fact, that
he is waiting like a hero for this to blow
over. Think the farce is nearly ended, for
the hardware man became partner the
other day in nail factory or something
of that sort, and week ago he sailed for
Europe. He will have to stay year,
travelling for his firm, and when he
comes back" Mr.. Leigh broke off %
smile astutely and to drop the lid over
his left eye.
81 don't exactly understand your OBJ
jections to him." said DIR. Melton slow
ly. 'Does ne drink or keep low com
pany2"
NO." answered Mr.. Leigh; "but--"
81 beg your pardon, " said the doctor.
interrupting him, "but want to speak
in his behalf. He must be industrious,
and no fool, and prospering, or he would
not have jumped into this new position.
l confess l don't think you have made
out a clear case. OF course you want to
see your son happy; but if she does not
love your son, that ends the matter. And
if she does love this other imam, and he
is honest and upright, why should he
not have herr"
''He is not her equal, " said Mr.. Leigh.
"You know in Philadelphia
The parson rose up with a stifed ex-
clamation.
sit is warm in here" he said az
want little fresh air; am not used to
a furnace-heated house. Poor girl! The
city has not yet claimed me for its own,
and miss the fireplace in my old study.
Poor fellown
He threw up the window, and looked
out on wide expanse of tiny high fenced
back yards; but overhead was the clear
sea of sky, where the moon rode at an
chor amid the fleet of stars. He stood
there, drawing in the crisp December
air, until q tap sounded on the door.
"Come in," he cried, and one of his
daughters entered-a tall, slim girl with
her fathers blue eyes.
Papa" she said, pressing close to
him, and smiling mysteriously, there