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

ears. he learned n1mSel1 TO reau an |
write without any help as iver 1 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
Balew
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 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 q dull red glow.
''It 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 q matter
of fact, you can't have the good stuff
without it, but it's pity to treat all
sorts alike"
He was making a parable OF the
matter in his own mind, and he walked
on thinking of it in 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 ladl" a CHEEKY
voice called out. "What brings you
here?"
"There's a nightingale in the copice
yonder," said Bale. 'Iistenl"
They kept silence for minute, and
the birds song, which had been
checked at the sound of the footsteps,
began again. The newcomer fidgetted
q little, and after minute or two said:
cts a pretty music enough. But
who'd ha' thought of your caring for
it, Bale? Going home again?'
''Yes," said Bale. "At least-I
don't know about home. shall drop
n at the Sir Ferdinand"
"Ah!" cried the other, striding on
again with Bale at his side, 81 should
think that was more in your line"
"Well, yes," said Bale, 81 suppose
it is. Shall we set ourselves to walk
toward glass?"
'Why, no." said his companion.
"Not tonight. I've better work Oh
hand. You've always been q trust
worthy sort of chap in way, Bale
You can keep secret?"
'I've kept one or two," Bale ans
wered.
"why," said the other. 9Th,
secrets this, Bale. I'm going to gel
married"
ooh" said Bale. ''You've squared
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 young
'un."
''The young lady?" said Bale.
'"The young lady," said his com
panion. ''She's been rare and down
hearted this six months past about th'
old woman's opposition. She'll chez
up above bit when break the news
, to her. And look here, Bale, old lad
You and me have always had a liking
one for another. There's a bit Of 6
difference in our stations in life, but
I've never made difference on tina
account. Have /, now? Come! Hav'
| I?"
''No," cried Bale; ''you never have.
"When n mans married." said thu
other, she's got to let his wife hav'
} something of say about the company
he keeps. Now, sometimes you are {
most extraordinary racketty chap, Bale
You know you are. Selina's got bi
r OF down on you, old lad"
5 "Don't you trouble about me
+ George" said Bale. 'I know wha
Miss Rice thinks about me, and know
r what think about Miss Rice. We're
r never likely to trouble each other"
'Why2" said the lucky lover, check
ing his walk suddenly and facing
9 round. "What do you think abou
4 Miss Rice2"
"Ohp cried Bale, ''don't let's hay
any Misunderstanding I've the yer.
highest opinion of Miss Rice. She
. made up her mind that I'm a wastrel
q and she's let me see her opinion. She
t quite right, George right.
S am a wastrel. I'm no fit society TO
n her, and if, as q married woman, sh
!, makes up her mind as I'm no fit com
:, panion for her husband, why, all sa
e is, her will be done. L shall neve
y think the worse Of her. lisa woman
e business TO keep her own man straight
9 Well, here's the Sir Ferdinand. Goo
Il night, George, and good luck" 4"
L ''Not yet, ," returned George. "W
b haven't got to the bottom of what
wanted. Try and be bit steady, Bale
It That'll bring Selma round; and I'd lik
10 see an old chum at the ireside mo-
? and then. don't want TO lose you
& Bale"
a "Oh, welll Wen talk o that al
L other time. Neither Miss Rice, as sh
?, is, nor Mrs. Truman, as she will be
I wants me about her. Good night
le George. We shall meet tomorrow.