The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-06-08

Champlain, which seemed to lie asleep
IN the rays of the descending luminary.
through the clearing meandered pretty
little brook, which emptied itself into
the lake at place where a narrow bay
lndented the land. In the midst Of the
opening, and but few rods from the
shore OF the lake, stood an old fashioned
farmhouse, with an clubhouse, barn and
garden, all showing signs Of more or less
enterprise and thrift. From the Chin
ney OF the farmhouse curled cloud of
smoke that fioated dreamily over the
landscape, and finally melted away in
distinguishably with the vapory atmos
phere. Several other chimneys belong.
ing to scattered farmhouses that stood
farther back from the lake were sending
up smoke likewise, and back of the little
settlement, with green uplands and
forests between, extended ridge of
hills, forest-clad to their SUBMITS. Across
the lake and in full view rose the frown-
ing walls OF Ticonderoga, from which
tioated the lion flag of Great Britain,
soon TO be plucked down by the fearless
hands of the free sons of America.
''Supper will be ready as soon as Ma
than comes, " said matronly woman ap-
pearing at the door of the farmhouse,
sleeves rolled to the elbow, and the
signs of culinary toll apparent on her
person.
''It's time that he was here" replied
Farmer Beman as he Strengthened up from
bending over harrow that he was
mending, and turned his bronzed honest
face towards the lake. "He isn't usually
so late as this"
The figure in the doorway followed
the direction of his gaze, shading her
eyes with one hand from the rays OF the
westering sun.
81 think he is coming now; yes, that
is his boat. You can just see it in the
glare of the sun. Well,I / suppose you'll
be ready when he gets here" And Mrs
Beman disappeared within the kitchen.
The Benlans being thrifty people and
living on the shore of the lake, here cnly
a mile wide, were in the habit of sending
their produce to the fort, where the
soldiers paid good prices for the same.
Their son Nathan, boy of fourteen,
usually acted as agent on these occasions,
and this particular afternoon he had
rowed across the lake with a basket of
poultry and fresh eggs for the garrison.
He had started Immediately after dinner,
and expected to be back in three hours,
but it was nearly six o'clock as he drove
his canoe up the mouth of the little !
brook and anchored it to n clump of
hazel bushes. He walked up the path,
crushing whole phalanxes of the starry
blossoms of the white wood Violets-a
sturdy boyish figure, clad in shirt and !
trousers, without shoes and with a rag.
ged cooked hat on his head. WhIstling
merrily, basket on arm, he entered the |
farmhouse, from the open door and !
windows of which now came the fragrant |
odors of steaming fapjacks and hoecakes
and pennyroyal tea.
"You are late, Nathan" said his |
mother, who was just pouring cup of
the hot drink.
eyes, mother, l know am, but there
was a good deal to see, and l couldn't |
seem to get away"
"Anything new at old Til" asked Nj.
Beman.
"Nothing particular, father, only
they've got barber there"
IA whatP
"A barber, man who cuts hair aud
shaves you. The soldiers were all being |
shaved; it was fun to see some of them
vince and squirm."
"Did you see the commandantl
ayes, Captain de la Place bought the
and eggs himself, and took me
to his room to pay me. He told me,
mother, that he did not get such nice
eggs as yours anywhere else"
Mrs. Beman smiled with pleased van
ity. "Well keep good hens and feed
them WE'LL and l always sell my eggs
fresh, she said.
"Yes, mother" said her husband,
Sand you make more money from your
poultry than do from my farm. How
ever, we've always worked together,