The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-09-08
PLAINTIFFS AND
Defendant.
By HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

Toplady Arms had simultaneously re-
covered his breath and his presence of
mind.
"ATiss Ives, he puffed, stertorously,
don't be flustratedl It's only Israel
Jenkins. ="
'Bless the mans heart!" said Miss
Isidora, "why didn't he say so before?
And what on earth do you want here,
Jenkins?"
TITS lodger, Miss Ives," said Jen-
kins, who had married Miss Isidora's s
old nurse, and somehow felt himself to
be connected with the family.
"A-lodger?" repeated Miss Ives.
'"This isn't lodging house, man
alive"
Yes'm-rm quite aware of that, -
said Israel, meekly. "And where no
offense is intended, it's hoped as none
will be took But, knowing as you
was alone aud unprotected-"
81 don't know what you call unpro-
tected," brusquely interrupted Miss
Ives. ''I've got loaded gun and a
six gallon kettle of boiling water here. -
and" mildly went on Israel Jen-
kins, "this ERE gentleman, Mr. Mar
shall, of Alabama, wanted q pleasant
lodging in tho neighborhood, which
meals could be took at the Toplady
Arm-though our apartments is all oc-
cupied with the gentry as come to fish
and shoot, through October--and No
vember- and it might be consolation
to you, Miss Ives, to have gentleman
about the premises; and 1 could par
ticular recommend him as very quiet
and decent"
Good graciousv' said Miss Isidora.
"Why don't the man speak up for
himself? Is he deaf and dumb?"
1T would be a great kindness,
ma'am," said Mr.. Marshall, Of Ala
bama, at this direct appeal.
Miss Ives hesitated.
"Well, she said at last, 'I don't
know that I've any objections. Re-
becca, unbolt and unchain the doorl''
And SO The Tower garrison was
strengthened by an addition of one.
Of course, Miss Isidora Ives told
Mr.. Marshall the whole story before
he had dwelt twenty-four hours be-
hind the queer little wooden battle
ments of The Tower. Mr.. Marshall
listened quietly.
isn't it clear case of swindling
and extortion?" she demanded, ex-
citedly, with her short curls (parted
on one side, like man's) all rumpled,
her cheeks Redeemed, her plump little
fist unconsciously doubled.
81 should think So" said Mr.. Mar
shall.
Would you submit to it?" she
asked.
"No, 1 wouldn't" said Mr.. Mar
shall.
"And all because my great grand
fathers name was written John b. in
stead of John c., in the Decd" per-
sisted Miss Isidora. "Why, any
schoolboy would be ashamed to avail
himself of any equivocation like that"
Mr.. Marshall proved himself quiet
and peaceable member of the little
household He liked dogs, and al
lowed Miss Ives King Charles spaniel
to sleep, undisturbed, amid the papers
ON his table.
He was partial to birds, and en-
tered, at once, into the most friendly
of alliances with the parrot and the
macaw. He grated Miss Isidora' S
orange tree for her, and showed her
a new way to train her wax plants.
And at the end of four weeks Miss
Isidora put into execution plan which
she had long been forming.
"Mr. Marshall" said she, ''it's a
great deal of trouble for you to go
three times a day tramping down that
long hill to the Toplady Arms and
back again. You are no longer a
stranger to us here. We have learned
to respect and trust you. If you
choose to take your meals with us
here, 1 shall be quite willing to admit
you to my frugal table, as a friend. u
Mr.. MarshalPs countenance changed
oddly He made curious sound in
his throat as if he were swallowing
something.
''AIiss Isidora," he said, 81 can't. d
Can't" repeated the lady.
Nothing could induce me to eat
salt under this roof" said Mr.. Mar
shall, incoherently.
''Bless and save us! Is the man
mad?" cried Miss Isidora Ives.
81 am, socially speaking, a fraud, D
said the stranger-'a forgery"
Miss Ives sat down ON the sofa in a
helpless way and stared at him.
''But your sweet graciousness and
kindness have conquered me-" added
Mr.. Marshall.
"What do you mean?" said Miss
Ives.
Gust this, said the stranger, 81
am here on false pretenses. am
your cousin, the plaintiff, My name
isn't Marshall, but Gideon Marshall
Robinson.
"Ma'am," whispered the heartless
maid, who turned absolutely green on
hearing the name of the family
enemy, "shall bring the kettle ol
boiling water?"