The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-12-16

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1t was an awful sick smile, though.
1t made my heart ache to see it. 1t was
sight more pihful than frown.
1t may seem . strange admission to
make, but Constable John Frick apollo
gizcd for doing his duty. Actually said
he was sorry for having to do it. Then
he touched the weeny cheek of the baby
with his rough fingers and said he hoped
1t would soon be well. and otherwise
talked in way some folks might have
thought was ridiculous in constable.
But then, if man has soft, tender
heart, being a constable won't change it,
you know.
When the landlord came to the
'squire's Office, four days later, and per-
emptorily ordered the things put out of
rooms and z, Constable John Frick
felt about as blue as he had ever felt in
all his life. He hadn't been able to get
that delicate little woman's sad face out
of his mind, nor the sick baby, nor the
drunken wretch Of husband
To tell the plain truth, he and his
good wife had talked the matter over
frequently. You see, she was a mother,
and had a mothers big tender heart in
her bosom, quick as a flash to feel
where children were concerned. Only
that morning, when ! was starting away
on duty, she said promiscuous like:
"Recollect, John Frick, if you put that
poor woman and her baby into the
street such day as this--snowing and
blowing fit to kill-you needn't never
look me in the face again"
Jane, said in my utmost dignifed
voice. al must do my duty"
When the writ of expulsion was put
into my hands and the landlord said he
wouldn't give another day, felt meaner
than a skunk. The weather was Just
fearful. 1t was not only biting cold, but
damp and foggy, and enough gloomy to
make folks in trouble bend their ideas to
getting relief by self-murder.
| found the same sodden young man
in the saloon, as tipsy and slouchy and
dirty as before Now he was noisy,
drunk, staggering about the place, swear.
ing ana Dragging, thick-tongued and
maudlin, and looking still more disgust
ing than when he was doubled up on the
chair.
'What do you want herel" he yelled,
as was passing on to room six
''You dry up, Sevholm" snapped the
greasy-faced man, grabbing him by the
al m and swinging him back from follow
ing after me. "He's got business with
your wife. Keep still-you2 you're not
fit for business"
But the tipsy loafer broke away and
burst into the presence of his wife; and
when had explained the nature of nv
errand he ranted out:
'lt's all right, Elsie. I've got place
ready. I'll fetch wagon and have the
things moved right away" And out he
started on a run.
l now learned that another suite of
rooms had been secured, only awaiting
the payment of the first months rent in
advance, and that by the sale of por-
tion Of his wife's best wearing apparo
the needed money had been secured.
also learned that the man was first elias
workman in business that paid exceps
tionally high wages, and that until he
had fallen into habits of intoxication
they had lived as happily and respecta-
bly, as hearts could desire.
Would he return with team and gain
the new home for his family! Or would
he continue his drunken spree and spend
the money his wife's clothing had been
sacrificed to secure? asked these ques-
tions a score of times. as / stole furtive
glances at the troubled looks in the
woman's eyes, and noted the terrible
strain her mind was in while he was
gone.
The furniture'was nearly all packed in
readiness for removal; and l knew,
fhntrrh che did coll that e.
wife had spent her strength in the ardu-.
GUS preparation.
had told the landlord that they were
ready to move, and would be surely
gone that day. He was not half salts
fed. He had come tearing to the Office
in a great stew of anger aud impatience
to have them thrust out forthwith, he
would not grant another hours delay. so
there was no help for it; if Sevholm did
not speedily appear l should be COM
PEELED to place their effects on the side
walk.
So stating TO Mrs Sevholm, added
that | would heap rather take a licking
than do it. With tears Of thankfulness
in her eyes, she responded:
'You shan't be put to the pain of it.
God bless you for your kindly sympathy.
You are like the dear old father / once
had"
Then after she turned her head min
ute to brush away the tears that blinded
her, she drew heavy gold chain from
the bosom of her dress, and as she held
it up for me to look at, went on:
'It cuts me to the heart to sell this.
1t was present from my dear mother
the day was married. l can sell it for
enough to pay the rent, and have the
things moved in a little while, if you
will be so good to watch the baby until
my return"
OF course / understood well enough
that she had given up all hopes of her
mans return, or of ever seeing the
money she had trusted him with to
pay for the rooms. And it was curious,
as | could see as plain as plain could
be, that she was ten times over more
pained and worried about me finding out
40 ,1a haw