The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-07-14

whole o Castle Bar1eld Tor ears an
ears. He learned himself to read an
write without any help as liver L heerd
on. He was put to work at the pit
bank by the time he was eight ears
old, and he Termed himself the engine
drivin' by looking at the engine an
watchin' the chaps at work at it. Poor
Balel'
A bright drop or two fell from the
girls eyes and glistened on the stuff
she was sewing.
In the meantime, Bale, the rejected,
had walked down into the valley, had
fingered for a while at the forge gates
to stare in at the white-hot, half-naked
figures that dragged the bloom from
the surface, and ran it on its iron
trolley to the steam hammer, and had
waited to see it beaten from its incan-
descent heat to a dull red glow.
cit takes good stuff to abide that
kind of handling" said Bale. ''The
good stuff's the better for it, But it's
no use trying it on Stag. As matter
of fact, you can't have the good stuff
without it, but it's a pity to treat all
sorts alike"
He was making parable of the
matter in his own mind, and he walked
on thinking of it in a sore-hearted and
rather empty-headed fashion. He
passed the frowsy town and came out
on the road to Quarrymoor, with its
almost instant hint of country odors
in the darkened air. 1t was late
spring weather, almost summer, and
the smoke veil hung high and thin.
The stars shone through it vaguely,
and dew was falling. He walked on
for an hour, clean into the country,
not knowing or caring where his feet
led him, and suddenly he was aware
that the moon had risen, broad and
full, and that nightingale was sing
ing.
"Why, Bale, old lad!" a CHEEKY
voice called out. "What brings you
here?"
''There's a nightingale in the copicC
yonder," said Bale. 'Listen"
They kept silence for minute, and
the birds song, which had been
checked at the sound of the footsteps
began again. The newcomer fidgettet
q little, and after minute or two said
cts pretty music enough. Bu
who'd ha' thought of your caring fol
it, Bale? Going home again?"
'Yes," said Bale. "At least
don't know about home. l shall drol
- at the Sir Ferdinand"
''Ahr' cried the other, striding OIL
again with Bale at his side, 81 shoult
think that was more in your line"
"Well, yes" said Bale, 81 suppos
it is. Shall we set ourselves to wall
toward glass?'
"Why, no." said his companion
mot tonight I've better work o.
hand. You've always been trust
worthy sort of chap in way, Bale
You can keep a secret?"
GIVE kept one or two," Bale ans
wered.
why" said the other. 9Th
secrets this, Bale. I'm going to &c
married"
"Oh!" said Bale. "You've square,
the old lady, have you?"
Eyes. I've squared the old lady
and I'm off now to the top of Hill Road
my lad, to carry the news to the youn
'un."
"The young lady?" said Bale.
"The young lady," said his CON
panion. ''She's been rare and down
hearted this six months past about tn
old woman's opposition. She'll chez
up above q bit when break the new
to her. And look here, Bale, old lad
You and me have always had a likin
one for another. There's a bit of
difference in our stations in life, bu
I've never made difference on tina
account. Have 1, now? Come! Hay
II"
"No," cried Bale; 'you never have.
"When q mans married." said tn
other, "he's got to let his wife hav
something of say about the compan
he keeps. Now, sometimes you are
most extraordinary racketty chap, Bale
You know you are. Selina's got bi
OF down on you, old lad"
Don't you trouble about me
George" said Bale. 81 know wha
Miss Rice thinks about me, and kno'
: what think about Miss Rice. Weir
: never likely to trouble each other"
"Why?" said the lucky lover, check
ing his walk suddenly and facin
: round. "What do you think abou
Miss Rice?"
"Ohp cried Bale, "don't let's hav
any misunderstanding. I've the yer
highest opinion of Miss Rice. She
made up her mind that I'm wastre
and she's let me see her opinion. She
quite right, George right
am wastrel. I'm no fit society fo
| her, and if, as q married woman, sh
makes up her mind as I'm no fit con
pauion for her husband, why, all sa
! is, her will be done. shall neve
: think the worse of her. lisa woman
, business TO keep her own man straigh
, Well, here's the Sir Ferdinand. Goo
/ night, George, and good luck. "
[ mot yet, returned George. "W
! haven't got to the bottom of what
wanted. Try and be bit steady, BALI
I That'll bring Selma round; and I'd lik
TO see an old chum at the hreside no
= and then. don't want to lose yoJ
! Bale.
a "Oh, welll Wen talk O. that al
| other time. Neither Miss Rice, as sh
is, nor Mrs. Truman, as she will b'
p wants me about her. Good night
e George. We shall meet tomorrow,