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


WN\NNM you if you don't
I "NM 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 pails.
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 he had to
go another way, SO stopped in new.
It's rather late to be giving invita-
tions, l know; but it's all been planned
in such a hurry that we are out and
out hustered. thought, too, that l
might stir you up to coming better
than Ed could. 1t does seem too bad
not to have 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 l got at the tive-cent
store in the city, and shall take that.
Well, l won't hinder you any longer
about your supper. Good-by. Now
do come if you can. Good.by."
The kitchen door timed its closing
with mathe natical accuracy to the
issuing OF n young man from the milk
house. Through the window Mrs.
Green saw Louis innocently surprised
start aud cordial bow, but the bit o
talk that followed was inaHdibie Il
her. She felt certain, however, tina
IL was about the surprise party.
eff those Harlows ant managin' u
was her mental comment. "But it'll
take more'n pretty putin on tC
make Lou one mite engagin' to 'Ras
tut, l guess"
'Rastus came in presently, and, after
washing at the sink, sat down to sup
per. He was thin and not over tall
with q vivid boyish complexion and {
chin like his mothers, marked by &
decision that almost severe GOODNESS o.
gray-blue eyes accentuated. 1t wai
only when Rastus smiled that ono
knew how winning his face could be.
"Lou Harlow stopped in to ask us
to tin wedding surprise at her
brother Wills. Probably she men.
toned it to you," said Mrs. Green, as
she poured the tea. 'T shall have to
carry something in the shape of tin.
l wonder if the dipper l got of that
pedler last week won't do. ] took il
for rags. They do pay so little foI
rags now, I 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'r
seven dippers," said 'Rastus, helping
himself to a second dish of apple
sauce.
Mrs. Green looked disturbed,
"Well, dippers is handy. Every
housekeeper needs two, and they ust
up quick. Dippers nowadays aim
what dippers used to be. There's hard
ly one to be got but has weakness il
the solderin'. 1 don't know what
more provokin' than to have dipper
full of water come splashin' onto the
floor and leave nothin' but handle il
your fingers"
The quick, bright smile flashed ovel
'Rastus's face.
"Better carry pan or something D
that kind"
His mother took the suggestion a
profoundly serious.
'I haven one l could spare. Can
we stop for the Blake girls, 'Rastus
They like to get out, and it's rathe
far for 'em to walk now they re failin'
l declare it goes to my heart to So
poor Miss Betsey 50 meechin' lately
She doesn't seem to know whether he
things is on straight or not. Las
Sunday twas all 1 could do to keel
my mind on the sermon for wantin' t
straighten her false front. 'Twa
twisted SO the partin' was over on
eye. And it's real pathetic to see Mis-
Harriet hoverin' about her sister an
fussin' 10 make her comfortable, whe
oil the time Miss Harriet's the oldest
Miss Betsey amt but sixty-eight.
shouldn't wonder if 'twould chick 'er
up consid'able to go to the surpris
party this evenin'."
"Well, you can take 'em; I'll walk
| 4WOulu De 700 CEOWulhS III VIC Jug III,
for us all, and don't want to get on
the business wagon. There's a spok
loose"
Mrs. Green looked narrowly at him
the repose of his face indicated notl
ing.
'But, 'Rastus, can't hitch old Mel
You know how she acts the minute v
get out-a caperin' and pullin'." "
"Pll be ON hand to look out fl
YOU" 'Rastus pushed away his cha
aud the door closed after him.
His mother watched as hewent aero
the yard, with slender shoulders we
thrown back. Even in oveTalls al
colored shirt he had not the slouoh
ness OF many farmers. She recognize
the fact with thrill of pride; but a
other fact was present to her also. III