The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-09-10

hisself, and it's half over Dolliver I've
been thrying to foind somebody to take
the job, and niver one is there doin'
nothing at all, at all"
Here was dilemma.
"Well," said Teddy, "those things
have got to be taken into the house.
You and l can carry some of the light
ones"
Neither Teddy nor 1 knew that we
had an audience. Not until long after
ward were we aware of the wicked trick
that was at that instant devised. From
round the corner of the house appeared
two men in flannel shirts, minus collars,
neckties or hats; with hair in wild con-
fusion and extremely dirty hands and
faces. In the richest of brogues one of
them respectfully addressed Teddy and
requested work.
really wonder now that we didn't
embrace them. But we engaged their
services at once, and how they worked |
They did considerable amount of
laughing whenever they were alone, and
they required the most minute directions
for everything they undertook, but they
put down carpets and put up pictures
and carried in furniture and unpacked
glass and china, in fact, worked with
might and main, leaving to the driver of
the van only the task of going to and
fro with the goods, which he managed
to load with Martha's assistance.
At noon we unpacked a substantial
lunch, and as Bill and John, our new
help, showed no signs of going home, we
spread out a meal on the kitchen table
aud sent them in to it. l never in my
life heard men laugh so much over sand
wiches, hard-boiled eggs and coffee.
In all this time, you may be sure Teddy
and were berating these horrid Town
sends at every turn. We called them all
sorts of names expressive of meanness
and selfshness, hoped their own house
would burn down and let them know
how pleasant it was to be turned out of a
home they loved. We were sure they
were sour, grumpy old bachelors, and we
hoped they would never marry unless it
was to sone old witch who would worry
all the year round.
All this we said in confidence to each
other, never needing those quiet, modest
young men who were SO meellly obeying
all our orders.
The house was really in very nice
order, and mothers room as home like
as we could make it, when at last the
carriage drove up with our dear invalid,
Jim and Martha. Mother was very pale
and propped up by pillows, and was
worrying over the necessity of her walk
ing upstairs, when out walked our two
hired men, without any orders whatever
raised her tenderly and gently, pillows
and all, in their arms, and carried her
upstairs as carefully as her own sons, had
she ever had any, could have done.
Jim stared, as well she might, and Mar
tha muttered "Holy Moses !" as she made
a dive for the kitchen.
Teddy paid the men; Jim and I did
the last few things necessary before rest
ing; and then we all gathered in moth
er's room.
Such a chattering as followed, the dear
mother laughing and talking as merrily
as any of us.
''But, oh, what guys you two are"
cried jim. "Tom, you've torn yourself,
as usual, wherever there was the smallest
opening for rent, and your cap is hang
ing half way down your back, while your
hair defies description. Teddy always
does keep nice, somehow; but now
even Teddy will bear an application of
soap and water"
"Same to YOURSELF" said Teddy. 'I
guess you sent all the mirrors away be-
fore washed your face. You've got what
Martha calls 'smooch' right across your
nose"
"Don't be personal, young ladies'"
said mother, in tone of extreme gentle
ness, "but perform your ablutions, and
see if Martha can make out tea"
In a fortnight we had settled down in
the new house, but we did not occupy
ourselves as of old, in beautifying our
home. We were advertising far and
wide for house such as we wished, and
we hoped to purchase one. The price
of the one we had left was beyond our
reach, but we thought we could hear of
one at q more reasonable rate.
During this time of waiting, feeling as
II AlNi hO VIC ROut
out but little. Mother was not we'll,
and the heat was very oppressive, while
Martha's lame wrist threw considerable
of the house-work on our hands.
But one evening there came an ire
sistable invitation from mothers dear
old friend, Mrs. Raymond, Of Chester
Grove, to garden party and a dance.
"You will stay all night, of course"
she wrote, and will send the carriage
for you at two o'clock. Be sure you all
come. cannot spare one of youln
But we did not all go. Mother was
not equal to the eight-mile drive, and
Jim stayed with her. We all wanted te
stay, and finally drew lots, and it fell to
Jim.
"I'm not really out, anyhow" said
that young person, philosophically;
"and, as you and Teddy seem awfully
slow about leaving the family nest, per-
haps it is just as well that am not
brought forward just yet"
"The effect will be overwhelming
when you are" said Teddy, laughing;
but secretly we all thought Jim the
beauty of the family, for, with the
golden hair. she had oft-brOWn ewes and