The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-11-25


lieyed most OF them, success was at
the end of the "race," aud my ambi-
tious blood flowed rapidly with restless
expectation. I had saved little
money, besides being the owner of a
fine span of grays and heavy wagon
not a bad outfit, l was told, for a
young man going West with no one to
care for but himself.
Yet there was one, lucky for me, to
work for beside myself, who accom-
panied me the first ten miles of my
long ride. When 1 helped her out of
the wagon to admit an old ohum who
was to make the journey with me, I
could say nothing for the lump in my
throat; and Helen, too, looked very
pale when our lips met; and her "fare-
well' was in whisper.
did not call halt until reaching
Bradford, village on the Little
Cedar, nearly q hundred miles west of
Dubuque. After looking about over
the timber .skirted prairie for several
days, l chanced upon a young man
who, like myself, had left his girl be-.
hind him. He began to praise the
''dear old State of Indiana, and l
knew, before had talked with him
five minutes, that he was pitiably
homesick. A month before he had
purchased beautiful "quarter, with.
in mile and half Of the village, and
was now anxious to sell it for what he
had paid the Government. / at once
accepted the offer, and soon after be-
gan work. There was a square forty
acres without a stone, stump, hill or
ledge-and to think it was mine
ours for | thought of the partner
elect just then.
The next six months were hard-w k
ing ones for me, but was cheered and
strengthened by such letters as this
"DEAR WILL; 1t is fifty days since / saw
your covered wagon pass out OF sight over
the hill at uncle's and this is my seventeenth
letter. SO often writing might seem silly to
some, but 1t is the least can do to show how
much am thinking Of you and of what you
are doing for us. Forgive me this use of 'us'
but l like to think Of 1t In that way; you
know you told me l must. How would like
10 be there, do your cooking and help you
otherwise; but know God will let 1t be some
time. Keep up good cheer, dear viii, the
weeks are passing. Do you know, am get
ting ready even at this early date. One big
trunk is full and another well under way.
Two or three of my girl friends think they
have guessed a secret. They tell me l am
foolish to take my accomplishments out
among the Indians. But you can guess what
they would do II they had chance. l am
more than pleased TO be foolish as they
term it, 1 am satisfied. Only one thing re.
mains to make me supremely happy and
HELEN F.
When the first snow began to fall,
was the owner of the most complete
log house'in the country, thanks to my
father, who had taught me the use OF
the broadax. Every room, even the
cellar, had coat of plaster and every
win low a double sash.
The early days of December found
winter beginning in earnest then came
the long-anticipated 10th The morn,
ing was crisp, but bright and calm,
and the horses took the big bob sleighG
over the smooth road at lively pace.
It was fifty miles to the nearest rail
road station-a six hours ride be-
tween me and supreme happiness.
My feelings were indescribable as
walked about, that evening, waiting
for the train to arrive. 1 looked at
everything but saw nothing. 1 was
weak, strong, light, heavy, happy and
miserable, all the same time. When
the shrill scream of the locomotive al
last echoed among the Turkey bluffs,
l had worked myself into feverish ex'
citement.
The cars were usually crowded with
emigrants, and this evening it seemed
that scores of persons, mostly men,
were streaming from every coach. ]
watched intently, but no vision such
as had been uppermost in my mind
could i see among the arrivals. With
limpsy move toward the train, de.
termined to investigate; perhaps she
was there after all. l passed group
of noisy hotel clerks who were each
trying to induce lady to deliver her
baggage.
mo" 1 heard her say, 81 have NOT
yet decided where l shall stop; am
looking for a friend.
That voice / would have known il
anywhere. "Are you Miss Foster? 2"
exclaimed, stepping near her.
"Qb, Militant"