The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-08-06
THE LINEMAN.
by EMMA A. orrER.

"The lineman's comingl" shouted
Sammy.
''Yes, sir, it's the linemanln cried
little Molly, in wild glee.
And their Aunt Eunice, who had come
to the door quickly and with heightened
color, saw Sammy's bare legs and Molly's
red stockings flying down the road.
"What is it, Eunicel" said Eunice's
brothers wife, Mrs. Abner Lane.
eth children saw the lineman, Mr..
Miles" said Eunice, rather family.
"Do tell" said Fiducia, smiling.
The lineman lived in the next State,
when he was not on the road. Two or
three times a year he and his associates
passed through Ridgeville, inspecting
the telegraph wires, and repairing them
If need be, and he always put up at Alb
ner Lanes.
He was an old friend now; Fiducia
put out her best preserves for him, Alb
ner talked politics with him, and Eunice
-Eunice put on her best dresses and
rickracked aprons for him, and with
them a sweetly- welcoming manner.
1t was more than remored that the
young meman put up at Abner Lanes
because of Abner's pretty sister, Eunice.
The lineman arrived, with Molly on
his shoulder and Sammy grasping his
coat tail.
''Real glad to see you, Mr.. Miles--real
glad p said Fiiucia, warmly.
"Eunice!"
Then Eunice came and shook hands,
with a conventional observation - no
matter what, since it was family uttered,
and since the lineman grew red to his
blonde hair and struggled Intellectually
over his reply.
"Abner IL be pleased enough" said
Fiducia. ''Much work to be done here,
you find2"
Considerable, !" said the lineman, get
ting his anxious blue eyes as far up as
Eunices collar button. ''Stokes at
work already, down street."
'Have you shot any more wild turkeys
down homel" said Sammy, between his
knees.
''How's that little girl that had
measles and whooping-cough togetherl"
said Molly.
'Real glad l made that raised cake
yesterday! recollect how you like it,
Mr.. Miles," said Fiducia.
Among all of which the lineman con-
trived to murmur "Miss Lane, you're
well ~ and Eugene to admit that she was
Indeed, she looked so, with her bright
dark eyes and raised color.
Abner came Just before supper. He
was not alone. The tall, stout, black
haired, forid faced-man who followed
him appeared to fill the doorway solidly
"Surprises don't come singly!" cried
Fiducia. 'Silas Baldwin, Mr.. Miles,
Mr. Baldwin. A sort of cousin of mine, "
Fiducia explained to tho lineman.
Mr.. Baldwin sent great laugh into
the room apropos of nothing, kissed
Fiducia, and took Eunice by both hands.
blooming as ever!" he said, with
blunt gallantry.
Abner was glad to see thelineman.
'You generally get around with the
grounding, don't yOu2" he said, not
poctically, but heartily, as he helped the
lineman to ham and eggs.
"Before I'd stand being coupled with a
ground-hogin said Mr. Baldwin jovially.
He was one of those humorously jolly
persons who make irresistible jokes,
keep roomful of people in good spirits,
and carry all before them without an
effort. All the Lanes liked him.
All. And for that reason the lineman
did not like him.
Mr.. Baldwin-who, it seemed, lived
five miles away, and had run over for
the fun of it-sat next to Eunice, and
had familiar and proprietary air.
''You get handsomer every day,
Eunice, r" he avowed. ''Don't know what
you're coming to-" The lineman had
thought so, but would he have dared to
say it to Eunice9 Neverl Snow, I'm
getting old-old and fat. Too fat to be
real captivating"
The lneman agreed with him. BuI
did Eunice!
''How are you getting along over there
in your bachelors halll" Abner inquired
"Oh, Pm lonesome as a dog" said
Mr.. Baldwin, emphatically. "Lone
somerl"
He handed Eunice the biscuits, looking
at her. The lineman grew red and Whit
by turns.
"Possess your soul in patience" sale
Abner, jocularly.
The lineman could only stare. He had
hoped that Abner liked him, and liked
the thought of him in a certain connec-
ton. All, he had hoped that Eunic,
did, too. Now he was all at sea. Worse
he was racked by sharp fears. For it wa
Eunice who most bewildered him.
Why had she so confident, so familiar
a manner with Fiducias cousin, Mr..
Baldwin--laughing at his joke aud re-
spending to his salliesl
With the lineman Eunice had always
been shy, as the lineman had been with
her. There was one explanation. Some