The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-11-04
A COUNTRY GIRL.
BY GENEVA MARCH.

"Ihere arc lots OF pretty girls around
here. You've come Just in time"
The speaker was Jerome Wallace. He
and his friend Clinton Munroe, sat smok-
ing in the room of the former, at the St.
Nicholas Hotel, a fashionable resort
among the picturesque hills Of Colorado.
''You ought to know, as you came a
week ago." replied AIunroe. "Are any
of our set hereG"
"None, except Miss Fortesque. re-
ferred to the girls of the neighbor-
hood"
1.-THE country giilsl BAIL Milkmaids
and farmers daughters, and the like.
Blowsy creatures, with waists like bar
rels, great red hands, and feet as big and
heavy as sledge hammers. Thanks, none
of them for mel"
"Shln said his friend, speaking in a
whisper. "Not so loud. The partitions
between these Western hotel rooms are
Tery thin. Miss Fortesque's room is next
to this, and, if I'm not mistaken, saw
some of those very girls go in there a
while ago."
Munroe was gentleman notwith-
standing his coxcombry, SO he lowered
his voice also as he replied;
''Sorry, 'pon honor, if they heard.
Wouldn't do anything to hurt their feel
ings for the world. l suppose they have
feelings, you know"
"Wait till you become acquainted with
some Of these girls before you speak SO
impudently of them," said Wallace, Sc
verely. There's Judge Horizons
daughter. He was in Congress for
several years, and she spent her winters
in Washington. She's as fresh as a
pink, and bright as a diamond; rides
superbly; rows like a Harvard or Yale
stroke oar; dances divinely; sings"
"Spare me, spare mel" cried Munroe,
affecting to stop his ears. 81 know just
the sort of thing you mean. Goes
clustering about in a mans hat and
jacket, apes all sorts of mems sports,
talks in mans voice, and has mus
tache almost as thick as a toothbrush.
A woman has no business with physical
exercise. It's the fad of the age. A
Fifth avenue belle is the only woman fit
for our class"
"You don't mea- what you say"
answered Wallace .lf angrily. "You're
not such an absC Ate fool"
The next day the two friends returning
from walk up the mountain side found
themselves in the valley, where a clear,
crystal stream here and there starred
with water lilies flowed between wooded
banks. Suddenly they heard the quick
sound of oars, and the next moment there
shot into sight around bend small
boat. The only occupant was young
lady, q beautiful one, too, who sent her
fairy sk:ff skimming along with a grace
and ease that made it seem really alive.
She remained in sight only few minutes,
then disappeared around another bend,
coming and going like swallow in its
flight. Wallace, however, during that
brief space, recognized an acquaintance,
and removed his hat deferentially with a
low bow. She answered with b-ief
smile and a nod, then was gone.
"a modern water nymph, by Jovel''
cried Munroe. "Beats the old Greek
ones all hollow. Who is sheG Some
Eastern girl, suppose.
"That returned Wallace, gravely, sis
one of the girls of the neighborhood
of whom you made fun yesterday, you
remember"
Munroe gave a long whistle.
sob! Miss Horton,n he exclaimed (;
''if she's specimen of your country girls
take back all l said. Are there any
more like herr"
"Plenty, replied Wallace, "but this
is not Judge Horizons daughter. This
is Miss Mamie White. Her father owns
farm in the valley. A farmers daugh-
ter, you see."
Munroe gave another long whistle, but
said nothing further.
That night there was q hop at the
hotel, and Clinton Munroe, in perfect
evening costume, was to be seen dane
ing with Miss White, not once only, but
every time she would permit him.
''It really seems one of those cases, p"
said Miss Fortesque, $50 rare in this
selfish world, of love at first sight, and l
congratulate you, my dear" she said,
turning mischieyously to Miss White,
who just then came up. Miss Fortesque
was few years older, and had way of
saying what she chose. she is unde-
niably handsome, beside being mil
honaire.
"Dear me-" demurely replied Miss
White; "you frighten me. To think
that this grand Sultan should condescend
to throw his handkerchief to poor me,
who am only country girl"
Miss Fortesque looked at her sharply.
$50 you overheard that speech of his, u
she said. 81 hoped you hadn't, foI
Clinton Munroe, with all his dudishness,
il at heart a goodfellow."
'But think Of his having to associate