The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-10-06

leaneu forward III
the carriage that
1 she might get her
~ long crepe veil in
9 place. "It's the
- only piece OF furni-
ture that came from Uncle Abner's
home, and I'd prize it above every
thing else."
The funeral procession had gone
some distance bearing the remains of
Mrs. Desire Boutwell, toward the
country cemetery, three miles off,
when the foregoing remark was made.
These mourners in this first carriage
had talked over many things as they
slowly logged along over the rough
rutted road. How, just five years pre-
vious, even to the month, they had
buried their uncle. Then they dwelt
at length on the last illness of their
aunt and had brought up many of the
events that had taken place in that
long life Of eighty-one years.
Mrs. Boutwell, was deeply loved by
all, and many tears were shed by these
relatives as they thus conversed to-
gether of her. For, having no chill
dren Of her own, her heart had gone
out in double interest toward the
children Of her brothers and sisters
and their families. But besides being
80 universally loved, the Coles family,
one and all, looked up to this relative
in consequence of being connected
with one Of the most aristocratic fam
lilies in Mount Otto. Desire Coles
had married Abner Boutwell,, the son
Of Judge Boutwell,, the latter of whom
was prominent In the early history OF
tie town. In fact, so important was
this parsonage in the affairs of the
village that there was saying that
when Judge boutwell, took a pinch Of
snuff all the inhabitants sneezed in
sympathy.
Now, IT did not matter to the Coles
family that this son had amounted tC
little-that he had always been con
tent to live upon the money his wifi,
had inherited-and that he had been
somewhat irtemperate all his life; they
had all regarded him as a gentleman
and overlooked these shortcomings.
The Coles family had been pioneers
in Mount Otto, too, but they had sim
ply been known for their thrift anC
their ability to make money. But al
of this they would gladly have ex
changed for just one of the rampant
lions, Of which the Boutwell, coat-of
arms boasted four.
'"The tester bedsteadl Why, I al
ways supposed was 10 have that.
was with Uncle Abner more than any
of the other nieces, and I'm sure i
would be his wish, and Mrs. Ganson'i
pale and usually placid countenanc'
was flushed and disturbed. She ha,
seen a great deal Of trouble in her life
time-had lost her home and propert,
but had borne it all with such pa
tient resignation that the family la,
come 10 believe that she was abov,
caring much for material things.
''Well," spoke up a third oceupan
of the carriage, wh6 was designated il
the family always as "Abner's wife,
sit has never even occurred 10 me, bu
that tester bedstead would NATURAL,
come 10 our branch Of the family
Abner often spoke Of II, when he wa
alive, that Of course it woald fall L
him for his name, and then, as w
called our only son the same, it doe
seem TO Ine as il there should be NJ
doubt as to where the bedstead be
longs"
The Coles family was a most unite'
family, who seemed to see only tn
good in one another, but they ha'
found it very hard TO overlook one trai
in Abner's wife. That was her seem
ing disregard for the name of Bout
well. And she had even been know
to laugh at her husband and his rela
tiyes that they had paid such homag
to it. And now here she was putting
in her claim for the only article of fur
niture that had come from Judge Bout
wells home
There was still another murmur i
the carriage-an old lady who ha
been weeping silently all through tn
dialogue. She had sat almost immoy
able, excepting as she from time t
time nervously clutched her black
bordered handkerchief. Now sh
aroused herself, and said in voic
that trembled with emotion;
''I've never had any other though
if I outlived sister Desire but that tina
highpost bedstead would come to me
l wasa little girl twelve years old whei
Desire was married, and the very mex
winter after came out from the farr
to stay with her aud tend school. T.
never forget how pleased was whe
brother Abner told me / was to slee
in the high-post bedstead up in th
spare room. ! can remember iist q
we'll as if it was Yesterday how Desii
used to iron the bed every night wit