The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-07-29

b'lieve in 'em, an l know / sh'd be
killed II vent QUIT" and she looked
SO frightened that / hadn't the heart
to say another word just then. Dur
ing the next few weeks l touched on
the subject several times, but always
with the snme result and began 10
despair.
One afternoon when / came back
from q drive, 1 found my aunt in the
kitchen, With George ii her arms,
grooming over him and 6ryihg.
"Why, what's the matter, AuntY' /
said, ''is George sick?"
mo, he ain't," she ANSWERED. "but
he's most broke his leg In that pesky
OF trap O. Jonah's. heafd him cry
in, an 1 looked out an seen him up
by the corner OF the barn, caught in
that Of trap that Jonah set there for
skdnks, an I-oh, George |" and she
turned perfectly white and shivered,
"I-l've been out went after him
Oh, George, help me I'm goin' to
die; 1 feel it comm now. Oh,
Georgel !" and the poor woman fell to
the floor in dead faint. 1t was the
first time in her life she had tainted,
and no wonder che thought she was
dying: The shock was terrible one
to her. ! carried her to the bed, and
after some time revived her. She
smiled feebly as she held MY haud,
and asked If she were "dredftl sick"
and ii she we're dying. told her Of
course not, that sho had only tainted.
"But went out" she said 'I went
out g far g the barn, an somethin'
ought to happen. 1 amt been out
side O. my own door before for twenty.
one year. 1 wonder what'n become
o. me?"
'Nothing, I said "you're all right.
Comes have drink of tea, and you'll
be as good as new."
"But, George" she said, II can't
get up. l must hev had q strcke ~
and she settled back on the bed with
groan.
Nonsense" 1 said, "you're oil
right. See I'll help You." And l
helped her TO her feet, and led her
back to the kitchen. She got herself
some tea and eagerly drank it. Then
she dropped into her chair, and, tax
ing George into her lap, she cried
right out. "You pretty little thing, "
she murmured, "you vas most the
death of me j. and she rocked buck and
forth, sobbing and crying hysterieally
and then she began to laugh-a hard,
hysterical laugh. She finally quieted
down, and / persuaded her to go to
bed; and she went to sleep i'm.
mediately.
In the morning she got up as usual {:
but her face was paler than ever, and
she was very weak. ! stayed with her
all day, AS she said nothing about
the events of yesterday, did not. /
thought it best to let her have her
own way for time. But in the even
ing she said to me:
TAM 1 all right, George9 1 feel
sort O. shaky. You don't think I'm
goin' to be sick, do your"
"Oh no." 1 saidj come, won't you
go out with meP"
"No, l can't" she answered; al
can't tempt Providence again. I've
'scaped once, an l ought TO be mighty
thankful for that"
"But it was the first time you went
OUT" said, "that something was CO.
lug to happen. Nothing did happen,
you see. You're all right. Come, go
out with me-"
"No, I don't b'lieve ! ken," she
said; "twas the first time, know,
but-no, 1 can't go;" and nothing
more was said just then.
But the next morning at breakfast
she turned to me and said
"George, I've thought it all over
an 1 am goin' out. 1t was the first
time somethin' was going to happen,
an it didn't; an I'm goin' out again.
Come, let's go up to the barn"
She started for the door. At the
threshold she stopped. ''No, l can't
CO." she said.
/ said "Nonsense I" and took her arm
and stepped ahead out of the door.
How her poor, thin arm trembled
in minei 1 must say trembled
bit myself, for l realized what an aw-
full thing it was for her as looked at
her;white set:face. After d minute she
shut her mouth firmly, made bold
step forward, and she was out. deep
sigh escaped. and she leaned heavily
on my arm, thought she was going
to faint again; but she braced herself,
and we walked on to the barn, where
we sat down on an old bench and
looked toward the house.
"Why, George" she said, "don't
our house look shabby? 1 must have
it painted. Who'd think p'ison neat
OF maid lived inside?" And she
laughed a soft little laugh, and there
was silence again. Presently she said /;
"Ain't the air fine, George? S'posin'
we go up t. the orchard" And we
went.
All the morning we walked about
the place, visiting the hens, the pigs,
the potato patch and all the homely
everyday things about the farm.
Aunt Mehitabel took a childish pleas
ure in everything. Jonah came along,
and seeing us, stopped in amazement.
''Bless me If that amt Miss Mehitabel
u'door /" he said. That was all he
said, but his face was a study.
The news soon spread through the
village, and a regular reception Aunt
Mehitabel and 1 had for the next few
days. The story was told over and
over again; and many a pat did
George get, and many an honest,
homelY word of good will was said to
me.
Aunt Mehitabel went to church
GupIou opI onapk fba ,-,,ly l., Ir;..;,,s.