The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-04-25


the doors were all shut; l wouldn't had
mother hear the Deacon for farm.
Again he picked up a paper, but the
silence of the room and drowsy warmth
of the FIRE were so inviting to slumber
that his head dropped back, his mouth
dropped open and soon discordant sounds
attested to the regularity of his breath
ing
Mrs. Martin coming in later found him
thus, and was just in time to admit
tall cadaverous looking individual, with
pants tucked in boots, a raw hide under
his arm and powerful odor of tobacco
permeating all his garments. He was
the owner of a saw mill on Turkey Creek,
and had frequently sold lumber to the
Martin Harrow Company, and thus
formed the acquaintance of Mr.. Martin,
in a business way. This he evidently
thought sufficient to allow his appear
ance at the house of the President of the
Company.
Mr.. Martin woke with q start as in
stentorian tones the man shouted rather
than spoke, "Howdy, howdy. Is the
old man to hum2 l heerd he wuz sick"
Being very deaf, he had, in common
with ull similarly afflicted people, the
firm belief that all other people were
likewise deaf, and he pitched his voice
accordingly.
Mrs. Martin gave him chair and he
sat down, placed his hat on the floor by
his chair, and began to unwind slowly
a red woolen comforter which en-
veloped his neck and head. He put
this beside the hat and leaned forward,
!. h,. ill I. l.. i l. q
hands outspread to the fire.
II brung a load of lumber up this
forenoon, an heerd yes'day as how
you'd hurt your leg, an l lowed then
I'd cum to see you to-day. How du
times sarve you! Pooty ruff, heyl"
Mr.. Martin kept up his part of the con
versation, which was limited to mods and
smiles, as best he could and was secretly
wondering if this honest, simple back
woodsman had "an AK to grind" when
the dinner bell rang. lie could do no
less than ask his visitor to dine with
him.
"Wa'al, yes, don't keer if I do.
Flowed when l started up 'tware most
eating time, for ! seL to my woman afore
| sot out this mornin', when she sez you'd
better take a bite, that I'd reckon on
strikin' you bout dinner-time."
Alas for the honesty of the simple
millmanl Another doubt as to the ex-
istence of "disinterested friendship was
lodged in his hosts bosom, and he was
not sorry to have his guest depart soon
after dinner.
"There, mother, was an illustration of
your side of the question; mine will
come later; I've not lost faith yet"
He felt a little twinge as he thought of
the Deacon's call, of which she knew
nothing. The short December day was
rapidly darkening when another caller
presented himself. He bowed grace
fully to Mrs. Martin, shook hands with
Mr.. Martin, begging him not to move,
and expressed great concern for his we'll
being. He was an agent for large iron
firm with whom the Martin Harrow Co.
had dealt for several years.
Well, Mr.. Martin. hows trade2 Boom
ing, booming, if half hear is true, and
| don't see any reason to doubt it. You
folks have got the best harrow ever
made, without exception, no doubt of it,
sir. It's the leading harrow all through
the West and Northwest, everywhere
it's introduced, in fact. l just came
from your office where they told me of
your accident. Good thing it wasn't
more serious. Hard fate for an active,
robust man like you. Why, you don't
look as if anything could affect you."
The most interesting topics to Mr..
Martin were his harrow and his physical
appearance; six feet in his stockings,
broad -shouldered and muscular, he was
a fine specimen of manhood. He was
never known to express admiration of
any man unless in the words: "He's a
fine-looking fellow, about my size"
Could this caller have known the gates
to his interest and goodwill that he so
readily entered them9 1t may be; he
had known him in business way some
years, and many men are read by an
acute observer.
The agent was not slow in following
up the advantage he had gained, and by
easy transition led the conversation to
the iron trade.
''Yes, my trade is good, too can't
help but be good when manufacturers
have good trade. have any number of
orders on my book for this trip. l have
two new customers right here in your
town." and he drew his book leisurely
from his pocket and idly ran his eye
down its pages.
Its curious now, the difference in
firms in ordering; some order six months
in advance and Others run as close as they
dare. was talking with the other mem
bers of the company down at the office
and they say you have about a months
supply. They didn't order this trip, said
they wanted to consult you first, for you
always ordered the iron, and I'll beround
again before many days" He closed his
book and sat slapping his knee with it in
an absent-minded way. Mrs. Martin
glanced up with an amused expression,
but failing to catch her husbands eye,
bent over her sewing again.
lie was all business in a moment.
"Only months SUPPLY That's close
enough to run; | don't like to run too
low. l might as well order of you now;
we shall want the same brand as before.
''Ah-a-hadn't you better wait till you
have seen the other members."
when do you leave the cityl"
In an hour; my business is all done,
and so lust ran up to see you a moment;
it didn't seem natural at the factory with
out you."
"But, - persisted Mr.. Martin, II won't
see McLamn until 6 o'clock when he
brings up the mail, and by that time
you'll be gone. l guess I'll order now
Something might happen, and it