The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-02-15


reapers and mowers are constantly get.
ting out Of repair. Luke one day went
to cut wheat in field from which every
stone and stump had been carefully
eradicated. The sky was lowering and
he wished to finish before storm.
Around and around the field went the
horse; faster and faster fell the grain be.
fore the sickle. Luke's blood was
warming with hope. when suddenly,
smash--chunk-chunk went the ma
chine and the horses were jerked vio-
lently lack upon their launches. The
big cast iron seat hurled Luke clear
across the sickle bar into the grain.
Scrambling to his feet he found that
sad accident had happened. A large
stone had been lifted to the surface of
the ground and left for removal. He
had forgotten all about it, and hence a
serious loss OF time right in the busy
season.
1t took several days to obtain repairs,
and in the meantime the rain came on
apace, levelling the wheat to the ground
and causing great damage. Luke be-
came gloomy, aud Sarah could not help
speaking regretfully Of the loss her hus-
bands forgetfulness had incurred,
Everything was propitious for a
quarrel and the quarrel came. Mutual
recriminations became frequent and
seldom did day pass without unlovable
scenes between the two Marpods. The
neighbors began to make comments.
Gossips took occasion to condole with
Mrs. Marpod respecting the unreason.
ableness of her spouse, and, seeing her
take their sympathy kindly, grew bold
enough to betray all the rash things
Luke had been guilty of prior to his
marriage, acts which ought to have been
buried long before in the graveyard Of
oblivion, so extremely remote was their
connection with the present.
Poor Mrs. Marpodl She took them
to. heart and at the next opportunity
hurled them at the head of the aston.
ished Luke. He owned up to every
thing, not even trying to soften his
wiie's too serious Interpretation of his
escapades, as he might easily have done,
for the sinfulness was more against con-
ventionalism than morals. He was in
no mood to extenuate, and declared
coldly that he didn't "care cent about
it" and that he "would do the same
thing over again for all of meddling
neighbors and ill-natured wife," Life
gradually lost it charms for the Marpods.
Through perpetual clouds and storms
they pursued their gloomy pathway to
the grave.
Sarah had begun to think seriously OF
preferring charges against Luke for
cruelty and praying for divorce, when
an event happeued that Temporarily dis
missed the idea from her mind and madt
Luke more solicitous and tender. A lit
tie girl was born to them, and because
it was in the spring time of the year they
named her Flora. She came like ray
of sunshine to brighten the hearts of the
parents and show them their dependence
Oh each other for happiness, but by th'
time Flora was able to toddle around by
herself and lisp the names of papa anC
mamma the parents had resumed thei
old fault finding habits, and having onct
resumed them they were not long in re
gaining their former facility in the use o
sarcasm and taunts.
Luke in the first place found faul
with the mothers method of nursing anC
declared it a miracle if Flora did no
prove a weak, sickly child. He was SUR
that so much fussing would engender {
frail constitution, yet as she grew oldel
she seemed as strong and robust as
child ever is that breathes pure, countr.
air.
On the other hand, Mrs. Marpod dc
clared that Luke's example was enougl
to contaminate the family, and that seed
sown in so young a mind would som
day bring sorrow upon their heads.
"Mercy on me, mani" she woul
shout, "don't touch that child will
those dirty hands of yours. If You dom
know how to be civilized, you had bet
ter not try to bring up children"
One day, after quarrel had bee
brewing between the parents for som,
time, they came to an understanding tina
something must be done at once. The,
seemed tacitly to agree that the time har
come for them to separate forever. Dis
passionately they sat down to discus
terms, and to an outside party all eyi
dence of ill-temper had passed away.
There was no question as to the di
vision of property. Luke was willing /
do more than Sarah wished, but regard
ing little Flora both were keenly sens
tive. After discussing the matter f
some time they agreed to hitch up tn
team and drive to town to see L9wye
Hobbies.
Not wishing to go before a court, the
decided that Mr.. Hobbies should draw
up all necessary papers and arbitrate a
to the possession of the child. BY thi
decision they were willing to abide. Sc
with Flora on the seat between then
they drove to town.
In sad and faltering accents they tol
Mr.. Hobbies how matters stood. Nj
Hobbies, a benignant gentleman, wit
long, white locks that had never bee
put to shame by single mean act IN a
his life, aud who's heart was as tender q
a child's. tried to demonstrate, but bot
Luke and Sarah were sure that the oil
life would be revived and that it woul
be better to separate kindly; and in tn
they stood firm; so Mr.. Hobbies. muC