The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-10-27

y WO IhculDtIb VI buO ObW-
ke>N @A ing Society, "efter
AW we voted at the last
NK\N meeting to get q
- w w dress for the minis
ter's wife, L just went up there to see
If anything else was needed"
GIVE been thinking, interrupted
Mrs. Lane, a gentlefaced little wo-
man, "that perhaps we'd better give
the money TO Mrs. Seabury. and let
her get just what she wants for herself.
What do you think about it, Mrs. Bea-
man?"
81 don't think nothin' about it, re-
torted that lady, sharply. "She hain't
got no Judgment, know well enough.
She how rusty that black dress of hers
isl If she'd bought somethin' that
wouldn't get rusty she'd a showed
judgment, 1 say 1t wouldn't be
right to give her money to spend, and
l, for one, would be against it..
Mrs. Beaman glanced around the
little circle. She was large, portly
woman, with O massive double chin
and keen black eyes. Her mouth had
n habit of shutting tightly, and she
would press her lips together until
only line was visible. She was
dressed in bright blue wooden gown,
made perfectly plain, and ornamented
about the neck by rufile of red silk.
She was wealthy widow, and as
president of the society and the largest
subscriber in the church, her word
was law with everyone
Meek Mrs. Lane was the only per-
son who ever dared to argue with her,
and to-day she made feeble effort to
defend the minister's wife.
Perhaps Mrs. Seabury didn't have
money enough to buy a good black
dress. They must have got awful be-
hind with his not preaching for so
long. And really, it doesn't seem as
If should want any one to buy a gown
for me.
She looked around for supporting
voice, but there was none.
We'll, now I'll tell you just how
feel about it, said Mrs. Beaman. eff
/ wasn't very good Judge of dress
goods, and somebody that was should
go and pick me out dress that would
wear, aud wouldn't fade nor cookie
with dampness nor nothin', and should
buy it, and pay for it, should feel to
be thankful, know"
There was a subdued murmur of as
sent from the other women.
'As l was saying when somebody
interrupted me, went on Mrs. Bea-
man, with severe look at Mrs. Lane
81 went up to Mis- Seaburys to find
out if anything else was needed. Well.
now, l tell you it made me feel bad
Mis- Seabury was tryin' to cut out a
dress for Nannie-that's the one next
to the youngest-and she didn't have
half cloth enough. The biggest twin
was washin' the dishes, and the other
twin was tryin' to keep the baby from
cryin'. He certainly is the fussiest
baby l ever see He yelled the whole
endurin' time that / was there, but his
mother said she didn't think he was
sick. Then johnny had the tooth
ache, and he bellered most of the time.
and Mis- Seabury was just as patient
with 'em all, and just as perlite TO me,
as could be. l didn't see the minister.
for he was writing his sermon, but /
did have quite talk with her. Why.
they hain't got nothin' to wear, aud no
money to buy anything with. She
didn't want to tell me, but it came out
little at a time"
Here she paused for breath and
Mrs, Driscoll, tall, gaunt woman with
a little wisp of hair twisted into a
knob on the back of her head, made a
remark.
"They must be awful shiftless peo-
pie, / think. don't believe she's got
no faculty"
"That amt either here nor there"
retorted Mrs. Beaman. "They hain't
got no clothes, sure, and that's more
our business than whether they've got
any faculty"
She could criticise the minister's fam
lily herself, but no one else should have
the same privilege.
'Well, she continued, 81 went
down to Claremont yesterday, and in
to Clarke's, where 1 always trade,
they had piece of goods that was a
bargain. 1t was a good heavy piece
of twill, and by taking the whole piece
thej let me have it pretty cheap. 1t
cost considerable more than we in
tended to pay, but I'll make up the
rest out of my own pocket"
why, there'll be lot more'n we
shall want, said Mrs. Driscoll.
''No, there won't be, neither" an
swered Mrs. Beaman, "for Wen make
a dress for every one of 'em, and
spencer for Johnnie and a cloak for
that yellin baby" And her glance
swept triumphantly around the group.
won't they look kind of queer, all !
dressed alike SOP" yentured Mrs. Lane
again.
II don't see as they will. They'll !
look kind of nice and neat, 1 think" "
Mrs. Beaman's eyes were a trihe
bright, and all her old friends knew
what that portended.
"Shell be gett!n' mad in minute. "
they thought, ''Then she won't do