The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-03-19
THE BEST ROAD
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

"And here, Claribel," said old Mrs.
Grigg, 81 declare, had nearly forgot
ten little Pen. Pen came so long after
the others, and she's such mite of
thing, that Pm always forgetting her
But"-plunging her hand deep down
into her pocket--"here's ten dollar
gold piece. Tell her to buy something
with il to remember old Cousin Grigg
by.
ats very good of you, Cousin Grigg,"
sam Claribel Wilton.
Every year, on her birthday, old Mrs.
Grigg visited her relations and made
each one of them present.
"I've got plenty of money, and they
haven't" said Mrs. Grigg; land it's a
pleasant excitement to me to pick out the
things. A sort of fairy godmother bust
ness-ha, ha, ha! And it does me good
to see how pleased Clara and the chill
dren are
So Mrs. Grigg rolled away in her COM
Portable old-fashioned coupe with the fat
coachman and the still fatter horses, and
Claribel stood ecstatic among the parcels,
viewing their magniticence.
IA black silk for mammal" she cried.
"Oh, how did Cousin Grigg know that
the old one was SO shabby! And books
for Kate, the family book worm and a
camera for Tom, and skates for VIII, and
the sweetest muff and boa for Edith,
and rosewood writing-desk for me !
But how wish she had given me the
money insteadl / did SO want a new
white satin bodice for my evening dress
for Fanny Ilsley's party! The old one is
too shabby for anything, and ten dollars
would have bought all the material, and
could have made it myself"
She looked longingly at the gold
piece in the palm OF her hand.
''If Pen wasn't so little" she said, al
could make an exchange and give her the
writing desk instead. But Pen is only
eight years old, and not out of Number
Three writing books yet. What could she
do with rosewood desk7 Why didn't
Cousin Grigg think to give her doll or
a tea-set, or some regulation children's
toyl Or why can't do it?" Claribel
exclaimed, with sudden long breath.
"There's a solution for The riddle! Pen
shall have a tifty-cent dolll l can dress
it myself with some Of the old laces and
sash ribbons 1.-THE catch-sll drawer, and
l can have the satin peasant waist after
ALL"
Claribel Wilton carried out the pro.
gramme.
She ran to the nearest toy store and
bought ii limp, big-eyed doll, with &
cataract of yellow jute down to her back,
and by dint of exceeding haste, man,
aged to get it dressed before Pen, q
dimpled, plump little maid of eight
came trottihg~ssme from school.
SIS it Cousin Grigg's PRESENT. Oh
| how nice!" cried the child. 'But
Cousin Grigg always gives me big
! iointed doll, with eyes that will opeI
and shut, and real silk stockings, and
boots buttoned with little gilt buttons
Is Cousin Grigg poor this year, nam,
MAJ"
"Hush, child" said Claribel, sharply
"Never look gift horse in tn,
mouth -
"But l don't see any horse" said Pen
casting a half-terrifed glance over hel
shoulder. Mamma, what does BE
mean by horses mouths3"
"Why do you talk slang to the child
Claribell" said Mrs. Wilton, who wa
cutting off the breadths of her substantial
silk gown. "She means, Penelope, tina
you. should be satisfied with whateve
Mrs. Grigg is kind enough to give you.
"But the eyes aren't match, com
planned Pen. "And there's hole in on
shoulder, where the sawdust is coming
out; and Just look at the greasy mark i
the hounce of the tea gown! 1t isn't
bit like the dolls that Cousin Grigg al
ways gives me shall he awful 'shame
to introduce this doll to Frederica an
Emily and my other dollies!"
Claribel's conscience pricked her a lii
tie when she saw the piteous disappoint
ment of her little sister, but she forge
it all in the joyful excitement of cuttin
and fitting the glistening white satin fold
with their trimming of white blonde
caught down with Roman pearls.
NHarold Carlton will be there" sh
exultantly thought, "and / always do loo
. well in white"
But the afternoon before the eventfl
evening she went out in the rain to buy
pair of long-wristed kid gloves, an
caught cold, and just when the cer'
monials of the toilette ought TO have con
menced, she was lying in bed with mu
tard plaster on her chest and prodigiol
pitcher of fiax-seed tea on the table besid
her, making her piteous complaints IN
whisper, because she was too hosrse
| speak