The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-04-16
HOW III ALL CAME ABOUT.
BY ANNA SHIELDS.


Well, ma'am, it was quite a story, but
| never felt free to tell it to anybody be-
fore; but since you are so anxious to
know about it, I'll tell you how it all
came about. Them fine embroideries
and the yards of crimping's off my mind
now, and if you'll take a chair I'll talk
and rest Il bit.
You'll hardly believe me, seeing what
n heap Miss Sanderson thinks of me now,
that it is only little over year since |
first knew her, but it is just so. 1t all
came about through Jim. Jim's my only
son, ma'am, and he's been better'n two
year a tow-boy on the horse cars.
You don't know what n tow-boy is?
Well, ma am, it's the boy that has charge
of an extra horse to pull the cars up hill.
From five in the morning till three in the
afternoon Jim's going up hill with car
or down hill to meet one. He's a good,
steady boy, and his wages are great
help, seeing am not strong enough for
heavy washing, and fine aint always to
be had.
Well, ma'am, about fifteen months
back, Jim, not being well used to the
horse rs he is now, fell off and broke his
arm. He came home, and the pain
threw him into a fever, and he was very
bad for quite long spell. 1t was when
he was lying very sick, that one day !
heard knock, and opened the door for
the prettiest young lady ever my two eyes
saw. She was about eighteen; as white
rs one of my fine linen colors newly
ironed, with the prettiest touch of pink
in her cheeks. Her eyes were rs blue as
the china cup you see on the shelf yon-
der, and her hair rs fine and yellow as
corn silk. She was dressed plain, but
everything she wore was of the finest
quality, and fitted as if it had grown upon
her slender, little figure.
care you Mrs. McArdlef" she asked
me.
eyes, Miss" said, hoping it was
fine washing she wanted done.
II heard to-day she said, ''that my
best scholar in Sunday-school had met
with an accident. You are James Nc
Ardle's mother, are you not?"
eyes, Miss, l said. "Will you walk
in' and thank you kindly for calling"
She came in and l told her all about
poor jim, and she gave me basket she
had for him, with some fruit and flowers
all fixed in it like picture. Not as if
it was charity, you see, for we've never
come to that, ma am, though Pm not say
ing we haven't been pretty hard pushed
sometimes. But as l was saying, the
basket was as pretty and delicate as if it
was for fine lady instead of a little tow
boy, that had got hurt earning his days
wages.
After that she came often and often,
bringing jim books and little tempting
things to eat, and sitting to talk with him,
and always as merry as a child, though
she was a lady, every inch of her.
Then, when jim was getting better,
and the care of him little off my hands,
she asked me to do up her fine things,
and her papa's shirts, as if it was favor
was doing her, telling me how particu-
lar she was, and the trouble it was to her
to get suited in fine washing.
Well, ma'am, not to make too long a
story after Jim got well, 1 went to the
houseNNice week to get the washing
and take it back, and / always saw Miss
Emma. 1t was grand house, with par
lors like a hotel, and wide stalrcases, and
great bedrooms splendidly furnished.
And Miss Emma had no mother, but was
the mistress of it all.
was all taken aback the first time
saw her pa, for he was rs rough as she
was gentle, and looked more like labor
ing man than fine gentleman, for all his
fine clothes. But he was very prompt to
pay, and always had a pleasant word for
me about the beautiful ironing of his
shirts and cuffs. And, though say it as
shouldn't, you might go long way TO
find prettier linen than | took up every
week to Mr.. Sanderson's. But after
bit, noticed that Miss Emma was losing
her pretty smile and merry words, aud
was pale and often red-eyed, as if she
had been crying. jim, who was seeing
her, you mind, every Sunday, he told
me he noticed it too. We, though we
knew our place too well to say word,
were very sorry, for there was a trouble
somewhere, we were very sure.
One night, jim, while he was eating
his supper, heaves a great sigh, and says
he to me.
II think 1 know what ails our Miss
Emma, mother" says he.
''What makes you think sol" says /.
Jim's a master hand, ma'am, to read,
and he gets the papers often that's left
in the cars, and reads the stories, or
maybe he wouldn't a noticed what he
did
"Why, mother" says he, ''there was
a gentleman used to come with Miss
Emma TO church. I've seen him often
an often, but he never comes to the Sun
day-school, only TO church. lie wore
diamond studs, and shiny boots and a
silk hat-a regular swell; and she used
to hook as pleased as a baby with a toy
when he was with her. Well, he hasn't
been to church for more'n a month, and