The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-10-07

WA\WNW You if you don't
I WIN come. She'll want
to see her near neighbors, if nobody
else is there. Get 'Rastus to bring
You down"
Mrs. Green set the teapot further
back on the stove and murmured an
indefinite "M'm." The milk house
door opened with a rattle of pals
Louis eyes turned slightly in that di-
rection as she talked on persistently.
Brother Ed was going to stop yes
terday and invite You, but be had to
go another way, so stopped in new.
It's rather late to be giving invita-
tions, know but it's all been planned
in such a hurry that we are out and
out fustered. ] thought, too, that /
, might stir you up to coming better
than Ed could. 1t does seem too bad
not to have a LOT of folks at tin we'd
ding surprise party. Everybody's to
bring something beside Refreshments,
you know. I've the cutest little oat-
meal cooker that got at the fve-cent
store in the city, and shall take that.
Well, won't hinder you any longer
about your supper. Good-by. Now
do come il you can. Good.by."
The kitchen door timed its closing
with mathe natical accuracy to the
issuing OF q young man from the milk
house. Through the window Mrs.
! Green saw Lou's innocently surprised
start aud cordial bow, but the bit ol
talk that followed was inaadibfe Il
her. She felt certain. however, thai
IL was about the surprise party.
eff those Harlows amt mRnagin' I"
was her mental comment. "But it'll
take more'n pretty putin on to
mako Lou one mite engagin' to 'Ras
tuf, guess"
'Rastus came in presently, and, after
washing at the sink, sat down to sup.
per. He was thin and not over tall,
with vivid boyish complexion and q
chin like his mothers, marked by a
decision that almost severe GOODNESS OF
gray-blue eyes accentuated. 1t was
only when 'Rastus smiled that one
knew how winning his face could be.
''Lou Harlow stopped in to ask us
to a tin wedding surprise at her
brother Wills. Probably she men,
toned it to you," said Mrs. Green, as
she poured the tea. 'I shall have to
carry something in the shape of tin
wonder if the dipper j got of that
pedler last week won't do. ] took it
for rags. They do pay so little for
rags now, declare it's hardly worth
savin' 'em. If it hadn't been for them
old overalls of yours shouldn't made
out enough to get this dipper."
''Likely they won't have more'n
seven dippers," said 'Rastus, helping
himself to second dish of apple
sauce.
Mrs. Green looked disturbed.
'Well, dippers is handy. Every
housekeeper needs two, and they use
up quick. Dippers nowadays amt
what dippers used to be. There's hard
ly one TO be got but has weakness in
the solderin'. I don't know what's
more provokin' than to have dipper.
full of water como splashin' onto the
floor and leave nothin' but handle in
your fingers"
The quick, bright smile flashed over
'Rastus's face.
"Better carry pan or something of
that kind"
His mother took the suggestion as
profoundly serious.
''I haven't one could spare. Can't
we stop for the Blake girls, 'Rastus ?
They like to get out, and it's rather
far for 'em to walk now they're failin'.
l declare it goes to my heart to see
poor Miss Betsey so meechin' lately.
She doesn't seem to know whether her
things is on straight or not. Last
Sunday twas all 1 could do to keep
my mind on the sermon for wantin' to
straighten her false front. Twas
twisted so the partin' was over one
eye. And it's real pathetic to see Miss
Harriet hoverin' about her sister and
fussin' 10 make her comfortable, when
oil the time Miss Harriet's the Oldest.
Miss Betsey amt but sixty-eight.
shouldn't wonder if 'twould chick 'em
up consid'able to go to the surprise
party this evenin'."
"Well, you can take 'em I'll walk.
'Twould be too crowding in the buggy
for us all, and don't want to get out
the business wagon. There's a spoke
loose.
Mrs. Green looked narrowly at him
the repose of his face indicated moth
ing.
'But, 'Rastus, / can't hitch old Nell.
You know how she acts the minute We
get out-a caperin' and pullin'."
''I'll be on hand to look out foI
you." 'Rastus pushed away his chail
and the door closed after him.
His mother watched as hewent across
the yard, with slender shoulders vel
thrown back. Even in oveTalls and
colored shirt he had not the slouohi
ness of many farmers. She recognized
the fact with thrill of pride but an
other fact was present to her also. The