The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1895-03-27

would have happened if I'd beeI
at homel"
~ dare say not" said Mr.. Well
wood, tapping the feathery tip OF hi,
cigar against the Japanese ash-receiver
and thinking secretly what fortunate
thing it was for the amicable settle
ment of the Wildwood estate that Aunt
Nebby-"Abigail Maria" her name
was written in the family record--had
not been at home.
For she was vertiable thorn in the
side of her relationships querulous,
illstempered, domineering old lady.
mot that l care for the old chairs,
and tables, and bed-quilts, went on
Aunt Nabby, knitting energetically
away at the silk mitten which never
seemed to grow any larger. "Samuels
wife was dreadful poor housekeeper,
and things was most used mp, any
how. But there's one thing Pm de-
termined to havei"
'Wbat is that?" said Mr.. Wildwood,
more ia Compliment to Aunt Nabby's
sudden stop than out of any active
curiosity on the subject.
"The old dictionary" said Aunt
Nabby.
What that old thingP" said Mr..
Wildwood.
"Why, it's the edition of 1910, and
all batteredto pieces--one cover gone,
and half the leaves out p'
''No matter" said Aunt Nabby,
resouing her ball of silk from the paws
of the irreverent kitten; 'T want it.
And mean to have it. And 1 want
you to help me get hold OF it, Mat
thew"
81 don't think it will be possible
for you to find it," said Mr.. Wellgood,
thoughtfully.
"But will find Il" said Aunt Nab
by. "I must find it."
"Why?" point-blank demanded Mr..
Wildwood.
because, answered Aunt Nabby,
II want it for family relic. l hain't
got nothing to remind me OF Samuel's
wife. And that's what I've come on
East for-to get hold of the old die
tionary. I'm goin' out to Pelt's Point
tomorrow to see Squire Sadler-he
was the lawyer that settled the estate,
what there was of it to settle-and
he'll maybe know what became of the
old dictionary"
81 don't regard that as especially
likely" said Mr.. Wildwood. show
should he know?"
''There amt no tellin' what's likely
and what amt" said Aunt Nabby,
resolutely.
And here the subject was allowed to
drop. But when Aunt Nabby had
gone up stairs to bed, with a pitch
plaster IN one hand, for her back, and
a tumbler of boiling hot water in the
other for her digestion. and box of
nervine pills in one pocket, and a
bottle of corn curer in the other, Mrs.
Wellwood-a shrewd, sallow-complex-
ioned little woman, who had all this
time been darning quietly away at a
basket of stockings in the corner
looked up at her husband with quick,
intelligent eyes.
'Matthew," said she, "what does
this mean"
'I think" said Mr.. Wildwood,
'that Aunt Nabby has some sort of
method in her madness this time.
And it is not for any mere sentimental
association that she wants to get hold
Of the old dictionary"
81 remember it WE'LL" said Mrs.
Wildwood, thoughtfully. ga queer
old book, with the edges bulging out,
the title-page gone, half the cover
torn of, and round black ring on
the other half. where little Polly once
set down tin-cut of hot salve. Do
you suppose. Matthew"
"Aunt Nabby knew your Aunt
Walker, SamuePs wife, as she always
calls her better than any one else,
interrupted Mrs. Wildwood. "She
was an eccentric old soul. We were
all surprised, if you recollect, at there
being no money saved up, none de-
posted anywhere, Depend npon 1t,
If there was any money to save"