The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-08-26

HcIc arc YOU BoluBi asheu hlnu
Miss Comfort, her voice growing hasky
in spite of herself
owe are going to my grandpapa, " said
little Essie. "Grandpapa was vexed with
my mamma for marrying papa and going
to England, but papa thinks he'll take
care of me now. But won't stay with
him unless papa stays too"
And she resolutely frightened her grasp
upon the thin, fevcr-burning hand.
81 s'pose you want to get to LonsdaleP
said Miss Comfort.
The man nodded.
as it far2"
"Eleven good miles yet" said Miss
Comfort, "but I'll tell ye what: I'll
make Joab get out the wagon, and with
a good buffalo robe over the seats you'll
ride easy enough. They'll be back afore
Eliallim gets through shoutin' and pray
in; and while you're a waitin' I'll bring
down a smack o. bread and meat and a
bottle of my currant wine. 'Taint good
to travel on an empty stomach"
And five minutes later Miss Comfort
was carrying her hospitable intentions
into effect, greatly to the delight and APP
probation of the hungry child.
"Now, see here, - said Miss Comfort,
drawing the child aside, when Jacob
drove up with the comfortable farm
wagon and stout old horse, 81 don't
guess you've got more money than you
can useW
''We have only enough for our rail-
road tickets" said Essie, her counte-
nance falling, "but-"
81 thought So" said Miss Comfort;
"and here's a five dollar bill I've laid
aside out of my butter money that Ella
kim don't know nothin about"
The child's eyes were trimming as she
looked up in Miss Comforts honest, hard
featured face.
"Will you let me kiss you, just once2"
she whispered, standing on tip-toe to
bring her blooming cheek close to the
spinster's wrinkled lips.
kissing, as Miss Comfort might herself
have remarked, had she leisure for re-
mark, was not much in her way, but she
could not resist the sweet, wistful en-
treaty.
"There," she said, with q strange
moisture in her eyes, ''run along; Joab's
waitin'.n
comp cried little Esther, as she sat
on the buffalo o-draped seat, 81 wish l
was rich and grown upY"
'Why, what 'ud you doG" demanded
honest Joab.
"Td buy a diamond necklace and a
pink dress for that good lady,"
Joab chuckled. 81 don't know as
they'd become her." he said, with grim
jocularity. $50 gee up, old DOLL ~
81 know I'm pretty old to be lookin'
arter a situation" said Miss Comfort
Fairhaven, "but can't starve, nor l
won't beg so what's there leftl We had
good farm once, but my brother
couldn't rest till he speckiated 1t all
away, and now he's gone and I'm all
alone. So, if you know of good place
as housekeeper, or matron in an asylum,
or general oyerseer, | don't much care
where"
The intelligence Office keeper, with
slight shrug of his shoulders, broke in
on the torrent of Miss Fairhaven's ex-
planatory eloquence.
"What wages did you askG"
81 amt particular about that so long
as it's good home"
"Here's a place that might perhaps
suit you-housekeeper wanted at Mr..
Duponceau's, No. - Fifth avenue You
might try it, although | hardly think
person like you would suit"
81 amt young, KNOW" said Miss
Comfort, with sigh, "but there's a deal
of tough work left in me yet. Give me
the address, shan't give up and starve
without tryin' for it,"
Yet, in spite of all her philosophy,
Miss Comforts heart, like that of the
queen of Sheba of old, grew faint within
her rs she sat in the luxurious reception
room of the Fifth avenue mansion, sur
rounded by silken chairs, gilded tables,
flashing mirrors and pictures, whose ra-
diant skies might have been painted in
liquidized gold, so rare ana costly were
they"
"I'm Almost sorry l Gomez" thought
Miss Comfort. ~ don't fairly believe l
can give satisfaction here
While the thought was passing through
her mind, the door swung open, and a
tall young lady in blue silk morning
robe entered-a young lady with golden
brown hair looped after the fashionable
oll 10 ONNl AASA Rloh1 anu dNNl3 bluG blGos
Miss Comfort rose and dropped a stiff
little courtesy,
"I've called to see-' shs began, but
to her amazement the rest of her speech
was abruptly checked by the young
lady's arms being thrown round her
neck.
"Oh, I'm so glad to see you," she
cried out, ecstatically; 4 thought l
never should see you again. 1 went to
the old farm, but you had gone away,
nobody knew whitherp
And she Rugged Miss Comfort more
enthusiastically than ever, with bright
tears sparkling on her eyelashes.
"Why,n demanded the. bewildered
spinster, "who are youW
"rm Essie! Don't you remember lit
tie Essie Bell thai you gave the five
dollar bill to in the twilight by the wild