The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-10-02
nDid YOU speak to me. sirln

"Oh, | beg pardon. ! am a stranger
to some of the people, I am glad to say.
but to none of your beautiful scenery,
except that which is kept under lock and
key"
"Under lock and key, Miss Wiley!
What do you meanl"
"Why mean the prettiest place in
Edgewood is kept shut up like prison
by the horrid old man who owns it. He
can't enjoy it himself and he's too mean
to let others enjoy even a glimpse of it.
| wish l had the chance to pay him off;
I'd"
Here the pretty little widow paused in
real or pretended anger that brought
most becoming blush to her check, and
venomously clenched fist that was
scarcely large enough to annihilate
moA.
Mr.. Pinkleberry laughed in a manner
that was intended to be pleasant, but was
not altogether reassuring and then asked:
'"'Do you Know the owner of the prop
erty that you speak off,"
No, am glad to say that / do not.
10 YOU"
"Well-yes." The two words were
uttered some distance apart.
"What do you think of him?"
81 dunno" said the rich man, remov-
ing his hat and rather excitedly rubbing
the thin hair on top of his head. "Sup-
pose | ask you what you think of him"
"It would take too long and l don't
care enough about him to express an
opinion. OF course he's dog in the
manger, disagreeable and hateful gener-
ally. l suppose he has been guilty of
some mean act or crime at some time in
his life and is so afraid people will find it
out that he will not let them come into
his house. For all know he may have
been a bank cashier at some time and
came here by way of Canada, or a
doodle Alderman, whatever that is, or
has made his money by some such equally
honest fashion and is afraid to brazen it
out. There must be some strong reason,
you know, for a man in his sober senses
to live the life of a bear without having
the excuse of having been born with four
legs"
But, my dear young lady, are you not
afraid to ayow such sentiments! Don't
you know that the owner is said to be a
very wealthy man, unmarried and the
best catch in town."
"What of it, my dear old gentleman?
What can possibly care for catch who
is quadruped and disagreeable one?"
''But suppose some one should repeat
your remarks to him. 1t would spoil
your market there, sure
''No one need report what I say. l
will be most happy to give him my
opinion personally. And let me add that
when the women get the power to make
the laws, the first thing we will do will
be to pass law creating the death pen
atty for all old bachelors.n
IF l see him l will tell him, miss.
No doubt he will feel fattered, but I'm
afraid, after what I've heard this morn
| ing that | cannot conscientiously advise
him to marry-not Immediately, any
how. Good morning"
The widow rose and executed an elabo-
rate courtesy. But scarcely had Mr..
Pinkleberry driven away than Miss Har-
kins appeared on the piazza in a curious
state of agitation, only to be met by peal
after peal of laughter from the widow,
who did not seem to reflect that its sill
very echo might even reach the ears OF
her recent visitor.
'What have you done, Miss Wiley
Didn't you know that you were talking
to Mr.. Pinklebeery! And to think OF
you giving him such an awful laying.
out And had thought when l intro.
duced him to you that he might take 9
shine to you. Law me, Miss Wiley, il
you amt just awfulw
The pretty little widow laughed more
than ever, and even Miss Harkins at last
began TO smile.
"Well, anyhow, one mans heard the
truth about himself, - the elder lady said
"and will never be the one to let hin
know that you knew who he was all the
time. Only he'll be worse than evel
now
Certainly the ladies at the house were
exceedingly surprised, and Miss Harkini
most of all, when, Il few days later, Mr.
Pinkleberry drove to the door in a ligh
phaeton, asked for ''Miss Wiley" and in
] Nlttu ucl W liht AilNt WIN MN.
''Perhaps you may be afraid to driv,
with me, now that you know who | am,
he said, with a touch of malice.
"That is true, responded the widow
gravely. 1T might not be of any advan
tage to me TO be seen in company will
Mr.. Pinkleberry, and I ought to decline
Permit me to go and consult Miss Has
llins.n
'But stay moment, Miss Wiley, anC
tell me if you do not think that you ow
me something in the way of salve fo
your terrific onslaught upon men in gen
eral and myself in particular? | throw
myself upon your mercy and appeal t,
your womanly generosity. This is al
appeal you cannot resist"
The villagers were struck dumb will
amazement at the sight of Bachelor Pinkle
berry driving at Il high rate of speed
through the main street and afterwarC
through his own grounds in company Will
Il young and pretty woman. But it wa
a sight to which they had to grow aecus
toned during the month that followed
The men smiled sagely and wagged thei
heads and said that "Old Pink" woulC
be put on a short allowance of night -ke,
soon, and the women asked, without
smile, ''Who would have thought it tina
a bold baggage from no-one-knows
where should come to Edgewood anC