The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-05-27

1.-THE new old woman, repeated DIR.
Mary, with smile.
"That is" exclaimed Mrs. Cunning
ham, "she only came last night "a quiet
old soul, half blind, aud quite bad with
the asthma. Perhaps you'd better just
see her before you go. She brought
card of admission from DR.. Merton, the
New York clergyman, who is one of our
directors, you know. And she seems
decent body enough"
So DIR. Mary went cheerfully into the
little brick-paved room, with its white
pallet-bed, cushioned rocking chair, and
neatly. y.draped easement, where sat
poor, little, shriveledup woman, wrapped
in faded shawl.
She looked timidly up, as DR.. Mary
came in, from under the borders of her
cap.
''I'm q poor body, MISS" said she,
"and I'm sensible I'm making deal of
trouble in the world. But the Lord
don't always take us, miss, when we'd
like to 60"
"This is the DOCTOR" said Mrs. Gun
ningham.
The little woman would have risen
up to make a feeble curtesy; but DR..
Mary motioned her to keep her seat.
"What is your name9" said she pleas
antly.
"Louise Marlow, miss"
"Marlowl That is an unusual name,
isn't itl" said Mary Clairmont, coloring
in spite of herself.
"We're English, miss" said the old
woman, struggling bravely with her
asthma. "There amt many of us in
this country. I've a son, miss, in the
law business, as any mother might be
proud Of :"
ga sonl" echoed Mrs. Cunningham;
"and you in the almshouse9"
"Not that it's his fault, ma'am," the
old creature made haste to explain. "My
son is to be married to a fine, proud
lady, as is fit for any prince in all the
land, and, of course, he can't he expected
to burden himself with helpless old
woman like me. He says Pm to write and
let him know how get along, and if I'm
sick or anything he'll try to see. 1
sewed carpets until the asthma got hold
ofme, and supported myself comfortably.
But, of course, couldn't lay up any
thing for a rainy day-who could? And
Henry couldn't help me, for he's getting
ready to be married, poor lad! So l
went to DR.. Merton and asked him did
he know any decent place where an
old woman like me could end her days
in peace. And he gave me card to
come here and some money to pay my
travelling expenses-God bless him -
and here l am"
Mary Charimont listened quietly to the
garrulous tale, but the color varied in
her cheek more than once as she stood
there.
''Is your sons name Harry Marlowm
she said, slowly and thoughtfully.
eyes, miss, at your SERVICE" said the
old woman. with duck of her white
capped head, which was meant to do
duty in place of the impossible curtesy.
sis he like this2" said DR.. Mary, TAX
ing photograph from her pocket.
The old woman, with trembling hands,
fitted ON her iron-bowed spectacles, and
looked at the picture, uttering little
cry of recognition.
"Sure, miss, it is his own self, she
cried. "You are acquainted with him,
them"
Somewhat" said DR.. Mary, COM
posedly, as she returned the photograph
to its place. "And now | will leave you
something to relieve this difficulty in
breathing"
But the old crone eyed her wistfully.
"Perhaps you know the young lady my
son is to marry9"
eyes" said DR.. Mary, writing some
thing in her prescription book. "Ihave
seen her."
"Perhaps, miss" faltered the old
woman, ''you would give her my humble
duty, and tell her would Just like to
look at her for once and see what she is
like. There's no fear of my troubling
her, miss, for l mean to end my days
here. But l would like to see her Just
once. And if it wouldn't be asking too
much, miss, would you please write TO
my son, aud tell him where l am, for
Pm no scholar myself and Pm his mother,
after ALL"
II VIII WIlle 10 ullu, sdlu OEs mary,
quietly; and so she went away.
NJ never see lady doctor afore, " said
old Mrs. Marlow, with long sigh. "But
she's pretty creetur, and it seems good
to have her around. hope she'll come
again soon."
"You may be very sure of that" said
the matron, brusquely. "Dr. Clsrimont
amt one to neglect poor people because
they are poor"
That evening Aunt 10, frying crullers
over the kitchen fire, was surprised by
visit from her niece, who came in all
wrapped in furs, with her cheeks Grim
soned with the frosty winter air.
"Bless mel this amt never you'll" said
Aunt Jo, peering over her spectacles.
81 drove over to see you, Aunt 10, A."
said Mary, "to tell you that you were
right. The metal was counterfeit"
"Eh9' said Aunt 10, mechanically la
ding out the brown, curly crullers, al.
though she did not look at what she was
doing.
81 have written to Harry Marlow, can
ceiling our engagement, said DIR. Mary,
calmly, albeit her voice faltered a little.
THE man who will heartlessly let his