The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-04-11

AZ Z WIN would have suf-
w GNW fered the pangs of
W hunger before they
would have made an effort TO till these
same fields or soil their dainty hands
by milking cow.
Among the country relatives was
Aunt Tabitha Simonds. She began
life with a little amount of property,
and had been known to have been very
economical for many years. She was a
very peculiar woman, but received due
courtesy at the hands of some mem
bers of the family on account of
what Aunt Tabby might possibly do
for them"
The shrewd old lady intuitively
gauged these courtesies and knew Just
where to draw the line, where true
Difference should manifest itself.
The Fosdicks we're family of six,
father, mother, son and three daugh-
ters. Celinaa, Clara and Marie were
the daughters, but we're unlike in char
acter and personal appearance. Ce-
linda WAS the acknowledged beauty of
the family. Clara considered herself
of the most Importance in literary
matters, and Marie, the youngest, a
plain, sensible, good little daughter,
who made everybody happy.
just now all were busily discussing
letter just received. 1t was Celinda
who spoke first.
"Of all thingsl That Aunt Tabby
should thrust herself upon us this sum
Aud xrn tc,I,4 %
had some guest from the city who
would have returned the hospitality
for me next winter. And no knowing
whether we shall make anything out
of her"
"Celinda, I'm ashamed of you. Why
need you be so mercenary? exclaimed
her father, reprovingly. Celinda
Scowled.
'1'm sure Aunt Tabby is mer SEN
ary, she said, in complaining tone.
'1f she would ever do anything for us
or make us presents it would be differ
ent, but she just scrimps all the time
and allows us to scrimp, too" Celinda
Sossed her head fretfully.
'And I'm sure she has no regard for
the poetry of life, simpered Clara.
Maybe Aunt Tabby doesn't care for
the poetry in books, but she cares for
another word that begins with p and
that is practical ; she takes right hold
to help with the housekeeping, said
the tired, overworked Mrs. Fosdick.
''Yes, indeed l don't know what
we would have done that hard summer
without her, said Marie, with a CRATE
full remembrance of Aunt Tabby's will
ing and ready hands.
1--WE ought to have souls above such
drudgery," exclaimed Clara, rolling
her eyes towards the ceiling.
''Well, Clara, l can tell you one
thing, interposed Mr. Fosdick.
Books are all right enough in their
places. Folks ought to have plenty of
'em and know what is in 'em, too
which is more than half of EN- can say
who have a big library. All the same,
l guess if it wasn't for this same drudg-
cry as You call it, you wouldn't be
quite as comfortable as you are.
There was little silence while Mr..
Fosdick drank his tea and then con
tinued:
''You like pie and cake well enough,
but you don't want TO go into the
kitchen to help make 'em. Seems to
me you might help mother and Marie
a little more.
''Ma says l bother her." replied
Clara, in an apologetic tone.
''That's because you amt teachable,
like Marie. She had to learn"
'1t's no use of fussing, girls, said
Mrs, Fosdick ''Even if Aunt Tabby
is old and sometimes queer and cross,
think we can manage"
"She needn't be SO queer" said Ce-
linda.
"She is just as she was made, if she
is my sister, and we've got to make
the best of it,, said Mrs. Fosdick,
rising wearily from the table.
Abner Mason, sitting in the kitchen,
had heard all this conversation. He
compared the fretful, complaining
voice of Celinda to Clara's drawing
tones, and again with the cheerful,
practical words of the pleasant Marie.
Abner was something more than
farmers hand. He possessed fine
physique and fair education, broadened
by a course of good reading. He
wanted to know how to run farm.
He had views of time when he might
own farm of his own and he wanted
to learn how to utilize every acre.
He had also had his day dreams of
the time when his home might be pre-
sided over by fair, good woman, and
somewhere in the depths of his soul
had been registered a purpose to make
Marie his wife.
But of this Marie was blissfully ig-
norant, She worked about house all
day and served Abner at table as grace
iully as if he were titled guest
Marie had no nonsense about her and
respected the young man who so faith
fully ligbtened her fathers toll.
On this particular afternoon she
watched her father as ne stood in the
back porch, pausing for a few mo-