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

taste.
Mrs. Seabury took the sample in her
hand. 1t was strong and fine, as Mrs.
Beamau had said. Esther stopped cry
ing to see how the cloth affected her
mother.
Mrs. Seabury possessed quick inn
agination, and a keen sense of the ri
diculous which the long years of hard
ship had not dulled. Already she saw
in her minds eye the family of five,
clothed in that startling plaid, march
ing into church.
1t was too much for her to bear.
She leaned back in her chair and
laughed and laughed.
"Why, mother, how can youP" asked
Esther, Indignantly. "Why didn't
they make coat for father at the same
time? 1t would be just as suitable for
him as it will for you. Oh, have we
got to wear them?"
''I'm afraid we shall have to, dear.
There really is no money to buy any
thing else, and we caunot go without
clothes. We must be thankful for
what we can get"
She could laugh no more, but was
just on the verge of tears.
''f it wasn't SO queer wouldn't
mind. Why didn't they get some
plain color? Rebecca says her mother
selected it. 1 didn't stay to talk about
i'll couldn't. Rebecca walked part
way home with me, and she talked
about it all the time. Her mother paid
for most of the cloth, and the society
is making it up. How could they do
such thing?" And poor Esther burst
into tears anew. 'Rebecca thought
we'd be pleased" she added.
Mrs. Seabury had collected her scat
tered wits during this last speech of
Esthers.
Esther, my DEAR" she said, "this
certainly is cross for us to bear. But
we must try to think of how little con-
sequence clothes really are. The ma
terial is strong aud warm. 1t will
make us comfortable clothing and we
must wear it.
81 don't see Why" said Esther, re-
belliously. "You can wear your old
black dress aud we children can stay
at home"
''It never would answer" replied
her mother. ''Mrs. Beaman and the
other ladies have meant to be very
kind to us. We must consider their
feelings. How hurt they would be if
we refused to accept the present which
has cost them so much, in time and
expensel Come, Esther, you must
help me in this matter. The other
children will take it in the way that
you do. If you accept the gift cheer
fully, and as if you were pleased, they
will do the same. / shall depend up
ON you to do this"
81 will, mother, L Wilt" replied
Esther.
''And above all things, do not let
papa suspect that there is anything
peculiar about the clothes, for it would
grieve him so.
Esther's example was of so much
value that not one of the children
made any complaint when the new
garments were brought home and tried
on. When the cloth was made up il
looked even more startling than it had
in the sample. The girls dresses,
even little Nannie's, were made Just
like their mothers, with straight,
plain skirts and short wasted bodices,
which buttoned in front. Such frocks
had been worn by children when Mrs.
Beaman was young, and she saw no
reason for making these in any differ
ent fashion. Her own daughters was
after the same style.
No one knew how hard it was for
Mrs. Seabury to leave her house ar
rayed in such garb. But it was a
great deal harder for her to see her
children made so conspicuous. There
was no trace of her unhlppiness in her
face, however. Her struggle had been
u silent one, in the solitude of her
chamber, and no one knew that there
had been struggle.
1t was indeed fantastic procession,
for the cloth had held out wonderfully
well, aud Esther aud Hope had short
capes to wear with their dresses, while
little Naunie had long one with
hood to it. The capes were lined and
and We're really very comfort
able.
Mrs. Beaman had felt that the
crowning point was reached when she
found pieces enough to make a cap for
Johnny in addition TO the spencer.
The parsonage was about quarter
of mile from the church, and the Sea-
bury family had traYersed nearly half
the distance when a carriage drove up
behind them.
Herbert, Herbert, do see those
queer looking people," said the lady |
who was one of the occupants of the !
carriage to her husband. "They are
all dressed in the same kind of cloth. |
They must belong to some institution,
Or perhaps they are strolling players,
and dress in that way to attract atten- |
ton. Do stop and ask them something. |
want TO see their faces"
The gentleman, who was much older
than his wife, smiled indulgently, and |
lrew in his horse beside the little |
group.
"Can you tell me the way to Mon
.rose?" he asked courteously.
Mr. Seabury turned to reply.
'Why, John Seabury, can this be |
you?" exclaimed the gentleman, hold |
ng out a friendly hand. "You don't |
lnow how pleased 1 am to see you
lgainp
"And / to see you, Professor Dawes.
Ada, =" turning to his wife, "this is