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

At this very minute her husband came
tearing into the room before his wife
could get the jewelry out of sight.
'Give that to me !" he screamed. l
knew you had it all all along. But you
lied lied !"
With this he struck at her in his
drunken rage, and poured forth tor
rent of cursing vituperation.
Then grabbed him and yanlSed him
backwards with pretty rough jerk, but
before / could secure him he gave me
clip under the ear that knocked me over
stool, and made another savage lunge
at the defenceless woman, as she strove
to get out OF his way.
The blood of Constable John Frick
was now up to fever heat. Generally he
is mild tempered man, with consti-
tutionai tendency to peace. He never
could stand quiet and see a woman or
child abused though. and he tackled
that maddened brute with as little com
Function as he would have trampled the
life out of a snake OF rat"
knocked him down, kicked him a
time or two in the ribs, and mopped up
the floor with him in way that sobered
him so he fairly roared for mercy. Never
gave man such an unmerciful thrash
ing in my life before.
And all this time his wife, her face as
white as death and holding out her arms
imploring, begged for mercy on his cow
ardly hide.
That was womanlike too.
"Now you get team and move this
stuff lively' / said, as L let him crawl
up off the floor.
Turning to his wife, as she stood all
in tremble. / assured her he had never
had anything do him as much good as
that beating would do.
And l was right, as am able to
show.
did not see or hear anything of
them, except once, about three months
after, when Sevholm called at the office
and redeemed the chain, till as much as
two years had gone by, 1 CHANGED to
be walking one evening on street !
had not seen before, when l came to the
front of mighty pretty cottage, with a
trim garden and grass lawn in front;
and stood admiring it bit, as l have
fashion of stopping TO enjoy the
sight of nice place, when hand was
laid on my shoulder real hearty and
CHEEKY voice cried out:
Constable John Frickl give me your
hand !"
eff you'll believe me it was that iden-
tical loafer, Carl Sevholm!
But not the first bit of loafer now.
Not much. You wouldn't meet
smarter looking man, nor more respect
able gentleman in long days march.
1t was a solid pleasure to look at him
and remember what -forsaken
scamp he had been not three years ago.
Come right in and see Mrs. Sew.
holm!" he said, pulling me up to the
side of the porch all covered with pretty
vines; "Shell be migbtF. glad to see
Pleased9 You'd better bdheye it.
Pleased wasn't half name for it. The
light of newborn happiness and thankful
gratitude was just dancing in her bright
eyes.
Ah, wasn't she picturel Health and
rosy gladness of heart had all come back
to her. Soul-numbing trouble had all
gone. She was Just as sweet and nice
looking a lady as / ever set eyes on, and
the baby, as plump and fresh as spring
robin, was toddlihg around like house
a-tire
House was furnished handsome, 1 can
tell you. Everything in top apnle-pje
order. 1t was easy to see that the old
miserable saloon tippling was played out
for good.
When stood up to leave, after enjoy
ing real pleasant chat, and promising
TO call again. Sevholm clasped my hand
as he said:
"Constable John Frick, that was an
auful thrashing you gave me. My bones
ached for month. But it did me more
good than anything ever had. And l
thank you for it to-day. 1t made man
of me. Cob bless youW-W. Whitworth,
an OleCeIand Leader.