The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-10-19

| HIN. We were to give him the northeast
chamber and they were TO allow us so
much a month for his keep. It amt
every one that would be willing to have
an old man like him about. But he's
harmless aud quiet, and the 50 week
helped us. But Breezy Point has grown
TO be a fashionable resort, aud things
have changed. And what's worse his
folks have left off sending the money"
"I wonder why9" said Helen, her
large, dreamy eyes fixed sadly on the old
man, who sat under the naples wistfully
watching the sea.
"They're dead, p'raps," said Mrs. Dag
gett. "Or p'raps the've got tired of him.
Anyhow, it's three months since we've
heard word, aud me and Dageett have
made up our minds that we can't stand
it any longer, so we're going to put him
on the town. Lawyer Boxall says it's
legal and right aud they can't expect any
thing else Of us. Squire Sodus is to
send his covered carryall next Saturday,
aul old Daddy Mifflinll suppose he's
going for ride. And so thiugs'll 90 off
smooth and pleasant"
"Smooth aud pleasant" Helen Hyde
looked across the grassy lawn to the lit
tie old man with his mild, abstracted
face, his ruiiled shirt front, the silver
hair that glistened in the sunshine and
the white, claw like fingers that slowly
turned themselves backward aud forward
as he sat there.
"He owned the place once" said
Mrs. Daggett, "5ut his sous turned out
bad and he indorsed for Squire Sodus's
cousin and lost everything. Aud here
he is in his old age, without penny !
What is it Becky3 The oven ready for
the piesG Yes, Pm coming"
She hustled away, leaving Helen
alone. A sort of inspiration entered the
girls heart as she sat there with the
briny smell of the ocean filling her senses
and the rustic of the maple leaves MUIR
muring softly overhead. She took Mrs.
Dardanels $40 bill from her pocket and
looked long and earnestly at it. She
thought of the little one-horse carryall
which she and the girls from Ixwood
Institute were to have hired together to
drive over the hills and glens all those
sweet, misty summer afternoons, of the
excursions to Twin Rock by steamer
upon which she had counted; of the new
black bunting dress which she had de-
cided to buy. She must abandon all
these little darling extravagances if she
INDUCED in this other fancy.
GAS if there could be any choice"
she said to herself.
Then she got up and went softly
across the grass and clover blossoms to
where Daddy Miffiin sat.
"Do you like this place2' she asked,
softly.
'It's home, my DEAR" he answered,
seeming to rouse himself out of a
reverie; "it's home. have lived here
for eighty odd years. I could not live
anywhere else."
"But there are other places pleas
anter."
"It may be, my dear; it may be" he
said, looking at her with troubled eyes
through the convex lenses of his glasses.
''But they wouldn't be the same to
me-"
Helen went to Mrs. Daggett, who was
baking pies and rolls aud stra wberry
shortcake all at once.
"Mrs. Daggett," said she, "here are
$40 which Mrs. Dardanel gave to me to |
do as l pleased with, and 1 please to
give it to you to keep old Mr.. Miffiin
here five weeks longer"
"Mercy sakes alive!" said Mrs. Dag |
yett; she amt no kin to you, is he9"
"No," said Helen, "but he is so old
md feeble and friendless, and-and-
please, Mrs. Daggetr, take the money.
Perhaps by the time that is gone l shall
,e able to send little more. My en-
'loyers are going to pay me generously in
'ity, and feel myself growing better
bile to work every day."
So Helen Hyde adopted the cause of
me even poorer and more friendless
han herself, and for over a year she
aid 50 week steadily, and Mr.. Mifflin
ever knew what danger had menaced
lin.
At the end of that time the old gentle
mans grandson came from some wide,
vild region across the sea, q tall, dark
yed young man with the mien of a
rince in disguise.
"My father aas been dE7 year," he
aid. "Ard his papers have only just
een thoroughly investigated, so that l
ave just learned for the first time that
here is an arrearage due on my grand
ather's allowance. hope he has not
cen allowed to suffer-
ooh, he's all right" said Mrs. Dag
EFT. ''We have taken excellent care of
i'm"
"You are a NOBLE. hearted woman"
nd the young man, fervently claspin3
er hand, "and l will see that you are
o loser by your generosity"
at sin'C me-" SAID Mrs. Daggett,
lrning red and white, for Helen Hyde, !
ow spending her second summer at the |
.rm-house, sat by, quietly sewing in 1
ne window recess. "I'm free to allow
nat me and Daggett got out of patience
nd was going to put hun on the town,
ut Miss Hyde, here, one of our board .
rs, she's paid for him ever since" q
81 beg your pardon if have inter. a
cred, said Helen, blushing scarlet as J
ne large black eyes fell scrutinizingly on =
er face, "but he seemed so old and k
elpless that" i
"God bless you for your noble deed" i
aid Ambrose MifHin, earnestly. b
But there was something in Helen's '
lanner which prevented him from offer C
~ any pecuniary recompense to her. q
'My grandfather will require your !
srvices no longer" said he. ave /