The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-05-09

don't like bein' tied to stick.
The Squire gazed at him vacantly
for moment. Evidently his
thoughts had been far away, and he
was bringing them back by a powerful
effort. AS he Strengthened himself up
to his full height he looked very tall
and thin; and there was something
pitifully homogeneous in his rough, i'll
fitting garments and his clean-cut,
scholarly face and snow-white hair.
"What is it, Thomas?" he asked,
gravely. 81 was thinking, and did
not hear you. We old men,"
with a slight smile, "have 80 much
past and SO little future that we are apt
TO go wool gathering"
"Speakin' fer yourself an not me,
then," said Thomas, hastily. ''My
past amt good place ter gather wool,
an don'tgo TO it 'ceptin' I'm 'bleeged
ter. But that amt here nor there. I
didn't want nothin', Squire, only Jest
ter hear you speak, so't I'd know you
was live and not purnambulatin'
machine" :" He spread seaweed for
several minutes in silence, then once
more leaned upon his fork. "Come
ter think ont, Squire, there is one
thing I'd to asst ye. When 1 come ter
this place 1 found you was already
here, an ] got to calm ye Square cos
the rest did. But down n the kitchen
last night they told me twas rally so
Is it?"
els what?" dreamily.
"That you was high-toned oncet,
an had money an things, like rich
folks?"
'I had all wanted, believe"
"An' owned that house acrost the
lake, an had horses an stables an
servants an'-an' Government bonds ?"
excitedly.
"Yes"-a slight tremor came into
the grave voice-"but we will not
speak of that, Thomas. Suppose we
go to work. We will freeze if we stand
here talking"
They set to work vigorously, each
taking one side of the long row of
piles which the wagon had left and
spreading as far as the seaweed would
cover. But occasionally Thomas
glanced furtively at his companion.
$50 it's rally true" he muttered
under his breath, ''son gambled an
run off an old man paid his debts an
come here. 'Tarnal pityl fer the old
feller S good sort, if he don't talk.
An the son-well, 1 guess it's them
kind o. sons as makes hangin's."
All through the afternoon they
worked, and only stopped when the
shrill call of the supper HON came
across the field.
AS they passed through the barn
yard, a great, hulking figure slouched
from one of the sheds.
"Hullo, 'Sias !" called Thomas, jeer-
ingly; "got over bein' sick, have ye?'
"Ye-as, 'baout," the man answered,
sheepishly.
"Well, take car ye don't git down
agin when it's time fer work"
At the door they met Pratt.
'Jest the fellers I'm lookin' fer, -
he said, briskly. you'll have ter go
back an do up the barn chores. Bill
an Ike don't seem to think they're fit.
You see t. the horses, yourself,
Squire" he added, as they turned
to do his bidding; "Thomas amt per.
tickler 'nough." "
1t was late in the evening when they
returned to the house. Thomas went
into the kitchen, but his companion
was too tired to eat. He climbed
slowly to his cold room in the garret.
In the morning he was awakened by
the rough voice of Pratt.
'Come, git up, Squire Bills down
with cold an you'll have ter drive his
team ter-day. Step iively!"
The old man dressed hurriedly and
stumbled down the dark staircase. II
still lacked an hour of daylight.
Pratt stood by the kitchen door.
"Take bit o. suthin' an be gittin'
off soon IS We can," he exclaimed, i'm
patiently. 'Itll be daylight fusJ ye
know. I'll be boun' there's a dozen
teams on the beach already"
81 don't know as / shall be able tc
make load without help" said the
Squire, doubtfully, 81 sprained my
back little yesterday.
'"Tut, tut We'vegot shirks 'nougl
on the place now 'thout you tryin' to
join 'em. You're all right. Git some
vittles an be starin. We can't ford
ter board ye here for nothin."
The Squire made no reply. Taking
a few pieces of cold bread he ate them
mechanically, and then opened the
door and went out. 1t was bitterly
cold, and he took handkerchief from
his pocket and tied it around his neck.
When he reached the barn he found &
piece of old sacking, and this wa'
made to do duty as an overcoat. Ii
did not take him long to yoke tho
oxen, and presently the heavy wheels
of the wagon were creaking sharply
over the frozen ground.
When the sun rose he was well OF
his way to the beach. Soon after h,
drove across the low ridge of sand hills
which had been washed up by success
siye storms. But, early as he was, sew
eral teams were ahead of him. The
best of the seaweed had been thrown
into piles, and the men were now load
ing it into their wagons. As the wine
was offshore there was no fresh sci
weed coming in. The Squire took hi
folk from the wagon and drove SLOWLY
along tho beach, picking up stra,
! bunches here and there Sometime