The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-07-28
GOSS & SONS.
CHAPTER I.

were sent out.
"Goss IL Sons" were in the shop.
Goss was a country grocer; the sons
were young fellows Of nineteen and
twenty, John and William; the shop was
a low wooden edifce, with window in
front and a window round the corner,
crammed up with mixtures the most re-
markable 1t was, in fact, quite a small
''store," for it was the only shop in Hep
burn, unless we count two or three cot
tages with goodies and apples in the
windows.
"Now, lads, look alive" said Mr..
Goss, bustling about in his glory.
The three worked on in silence for
some time.
''Is it twopenny or threepenny sugar
Mrs. Reece takes, father?" said William,
presently.
"Threepenny, of course!" struck in
John, impatiently,
"Will never knows what belongs, {"
said his father; "he's always wool
gathering, Will ism
"Will never supposes anything's worth
thinking about that isn't printed in
bookm
'It doesn't want much thinking to
tell him that Sir Benjamin Sykes house
keeper doesn't want common stuff.
What's thisl If it's meant for half
pound it's uncommon good weight"
''Oh, well! 1 thought few butter
scotch drops didn't matter" said Will,
turning crimson.
'Butter-scotch drops!" said John,
pricking up his ears, ':they must be for
Miss Dulcie; she must be home from
school, then"
'Yes, she was in the shop to-day. We
had two carriages standing at the door
at oncer' said old Goss with pride.
John didn't speak, but he was very
vexed indeed that he had chosen lust
that time to slip out about some pota-
toes. Even to serve Miss Dulcie across
the counter with half pound of butter
scotch drops was a privilege highly
prized by either of these rustic admirers.
viii, tying up package, gently
hummed:
Tell mo where is fancy bred,
Or in the heart, or in the head?
How begot-how nourishedi
'I'll tell you what, young man." said
his father sternly, 'if you don't get lit
tie more sense in your head with your
readin', an writin', and poetry, and rub
bish, Tll-Tll-"
Here, father, let's go and draw the
treacle for the Rev. Matthew Barton"
said John.
1t is five years later. The village shop
is shut, but only for the day. The vii
layers are standing about in groups,
some of the most excitable ones have
their handkerchiefs to their eyes. Walk
ing slowly along the white highroad is
black procession, the group in front toll
ing under heavy burden. Those behind
are singing,as they draw near the church
yard:
The saints of God, their conflict past,
"The saints of God!n What more
noble and beautiful tite2 Who can it
be who is now saint of God? Only old
Goss, the grocer.
After that heavy burden walked the
two young men and their mother,
rather lady-like little woman.
They were left comfortably provided
for,,about three thousand pounds apiece
besides the shop.
Let us sell the business and go up to
London, said Win.
What fort What's the good of Lon
don2n
"Oh, London! Why, Knight get some
literary work if we only lived in London.
Editors and people like that don't think
anything of you if you live in the coun-
try
Poor, honest John, who knew nothing
about editors or literature. or anything
OF the kind, looked troubled.
Il should have thought myself that it |
didn't matter where good work came |
from. know when l am buying things |
all care about is the quality; whether |
they come from Reading, or London, or
America, doesn't matter a bit. By the |
by, brother Mrs. Reece said Miss Dulcie
liked those biscuits had made for her
and wants some more. I'll have a whole .
lot done; dare say might get little
trade for them"
You've no SOUL John, declare p said
Wlll, with impatient disgust. ''You think
your little trade the most important
thing in the worldm
1T is to me-it's my work"
"Now, if l were in your place would
never let another creature taste the bis
cults that l made for Miss Dulcie; they
are stamped with her approval, and no
inferior person should have them for love
,r money. It's trihe, of course, but it
ihows how utterly you lack poetry and
that your only idea should be
II making little tradep"
'Well, a great trade, then"
Pooh! And if you did, would it bring
'ou any nearer Miss Dulcie2"
John didn't speak; but a sudden wild
dea flashed into his mind. Perfect mad
less 1t was, but it made his heart beat
md sent the color into his face.
CHAPTER II