The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-04-29
ON SKATES.

'It amt the way l was brought up
said Mrs. Gerard ''In the DAYS when |
was girl, we used to be satisfied to sit
down and sew, and make table linen and
bed quilts, against we got q chance Of a
good husband. We never went skating,
or rushed about playing lawn tennis. II
we had any leisure time after the COWS
were MIXED, and the butter and cheese
looked after, and the housework done
up, we learned to use our needles"
'sBut don't see any chance of q good
husband for me, Mrs. Gerard, said Syl-
via, saucily. "There are two single men
In Bustleboro, and one is the Methodist
minister, who is sixty-odd, and the other
is old Jack Dodd, who hasn't got his
full wits, and has to be watched by his
little nieces and nephews.n
"Who knows what may happenm said
the old lady, oracularly.
81 wish my Cousin Chester would
come home" sighed Sylvia, leaning her
plump, white chin on one hand, as she
stared out over the wintry landscape.
Perhaps, and her eyes sparkled mis-
chievousiy, she might fall in love with
mer'
Mrs. Gerard bristled all over at this
audacious suggestion.
Fall in love with you, indeed" said
she. "Nhy you are the last person inthe
world would consent to his marryingr
Sylvia's countenanee fell; she red
dened TO the very roots of her hair.
She had been only in sport when she
uttered her words, but Mrs. Gerard had
evidently accepted them in good faith.
"Folks can't skate through life !" said
Mrs. Gerard, satirically. ''Nor get
cookery receipts out Of novel books, nor
mend stockings with your fine Kensing-
ton-stitches. | want Chester's wife to
be real helpmeet to him, not mill
stone slung around his neck"
"Well, you need not be alarmed, said
Sylvia, flushed with unspoken resent
ment. ''Rest assured, Mrs. Gerard,
shall never marry your sonp
'"Then wen both be satisfied, said
the old lady, philosophically; land now
you'd better 60 and get those rolls of
calico, and wen pick out some pieces for
patchwork quilt
Sylvia glanced out at the diamond
brightness Of the snow-covered fields
and wales.
AUt MIS- 1tfutuf HdAsA hhtg tHt
pond by Duton's Mill is crowded with
skaters, and the ice is perfect, and was
longing 10 60 there this afternoonw
''All the loafers in the neighborhood
arc there, aud all the giddy headed
girls retorted Mrs. Gerard. ats nc
place for you 70 be seen"
''Well, then, mayn't / 60 down on
the riverln pleaded Sylvia, eagerly. "a
do so want 20 skate Oh, it is exactly
as If you were bird, flying through the
keen, cold air and the sunshine Alayn't
i 20, Mrs. Gerard. DO say yesw
Mrs. Gerard compressed her lips.
II never did approve Of skating" said
ihe. ''aud ! never shall. In my days,
girls were girls and boys were boys"
'Horrid old womanw thought poor
Sylvia, ready to cry. ''But at least, she
hasn't absolutely forbidden me. And
the ice is like glass, and l have been
shut in the house for three days, chop
lping sausage meat and darmng pillow
cases. Oh, 1 must have one more skate
II die for il 7"
Sylvia Seton was Mrs. Gerards second
cousin, who, deprived Of her sole re
naming parent by death, had come tC
live with her. She was not altogether
dependent on her relation-in fact, she
had hundred dollars year Of her own
"Enough," said Mrs. Gerard, 'tC
clothe you nicely and pay all the little
odd expenses; and you can earn YOU
board and lodging by helping me around
the hcuse-and be a lot Of company fo
me into the bargain. Bustleboro's al
awful lonesome place, and there's day
hsnd days when me and the cat sits ant