Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-04-19
FRED'S FARM.
BY U. V.

He was the handsomest fellow
ever saw, so far as bright, black eyes,
soft, curling hair, red cheeks and the
shadow of a dark mustache go to make
up the beauty.
No one appreciated this more fully
than the shy little Theodore Brown.
But Fred was poor, and Theodore,
though all orphan and penniless her
self, had been adopted by wealthy
relative, a maiden aunt, Miss Charity
Powers, who seemed determined to
make her first name misnomer; for
it was universally conceded that what.
ever other good traits she might have,
she certainly had not charity. so it
came about that Miss Charity decided
not to allow the two young people to
walk together any more to and from
singing school and evening meetings,
or 10 look over the same tune book in
the village choir. But finding that,
like all other natural attractions, they
would gravitate toward each other,
and they were evidently unhappy Mt
being kept apart, while they must see
each o.her so frequently, she began
to cast about for some means to separ-
ate them entirely.
First she thought she would send
Theodore away to boarding school;
but rs there was good academy in
the village, this seemed rather too
much like airs; besides, she did not
like to do without her favorite; SO
after much consideration another plan
suggested and perfected itself in her
mind.
She had, away down in New Jersey,
a small farm which she had never seen
left her by some aged relative who
had starved there in comfortable in
digence for Is or 10 years. The old
lady made up her mind that she would
offer Fred fai; chance to make for
tune without fail, if he could. So she
told him Of the farm, brought out the
lapers, called in lawyer, and had
deed duly written, signed, witnessed
and recorded.
This deed she put into Fred's
hands, saying:
''There! don't say I never gave you
tHluS, tdhc tudb dut IL.
He did as he was bid; took the deed
and read it over carefully. By it he
learned that he had, all at once, come
into possession of 30 acres of land,
and a stone house, with outbuildings,
situated in the town of Newton, county
of Sussex, State of New Jersey, and
that one especial point and provision
xv.c tbot I,a cIoulI u,, %bara nd ,toy
for three years. Otherwise, the pro-
perty reverted to its previous owner,
for her heirs, assigns, etc.
what" said Fred, looking puz-
zled, and then, speaking quick and
angrily: ''You want to De rid of me?"
The old lady chuckled. "lou will
never do for a minister-you Jump at
conclusions.
''But l won't go; I don't accept
your gift.
Every WE'LL Then I'll send Theo
away tomorrow, and you may stay
here and starve."
81 shall not starve; 1 will work
hard and patiently; and will not see
Theo without your consent"
'You will neglect your work; you'll
follow Theo's striped shawl up the
street at safe and melancholy dis
tance; you'll waste your time watch
ing for her to pass, and, finally, you'll
starve to death, and be found a cold
corpse on the very morning that the
bells are ringing gayly for Theo's
wedding with Squire Upham."
Theo will never marry Squire Up
ham; she hates him."
''On the contrary, she admires
him."
Does she say sop
eyes, to me-"
''All right then. I'll never stand in
her way. Heaven knows 1 only want
to see her happy. Oh. Theo! Theo!"
The young man spoke low, and Miss
Charity could see the tears in his dark
eyes. "Give me the papersp' he said,
desperately. 'I'll go to Jersey i
know it's cowardly thing to do, but
l have neither the strength nor the
courage to so out in the world, friend
less aud penniless, and fight for my.
self. And I shall be dead to you al
then; you'll never hear from me again
Good-by; tell Theo good-by and tel
her that love her too we'll to inter
fere with her happiness. There is
picture mp in my little den that
painted for her. May l give her that?'
sob, yes!" said Miss Charity, ant
it was not hard to imagine shadow
of relenting in her gray eyes. 81
| YOU bring the picture tomorrow vou'l
find Theo at home. I sent her ava,
today on account OF wantin' to sec
you on business. Now that's settled
I suppose you'll only be here onc'
more, anyhow, jest to say good-by
Remember, trust you to do what i
right in this thing. You cannot sci
the farm; you are not to run ava
with Theo. You may write to her Al
much as you please, and she to You n
often as she likes, for / am no spy
but Won are to stav awav from har 20