Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-07-22
CHAPTER ~.


n CHAPTER ~.
/ sConfound tha! Moulton and his Ca
madam ihistles 4! l really believe he
planls them on the edges Of his field.
that they may work through into mine
Eh ! What No they don't see me. >
And Slocum, 70, he it was, stepped be.
hind thick clump Of bushes, looking,
and peeping, wondering and amazed
Suppose we look ia the direction Of his
eyes, and see what all this surprise was
about. On the Slocum side Of the fence
was fine sun-burnl fellow, Of one OF
two and twenly-as capital model o
manly beauty as one may desire 10 see--
with hoe over his shoulder, 10 preserve
appearances, in case any one should
meet him in the field. On the Moultor
side OF the fence was a maiden Of about
the same age, and every way worthy OF
the swain We need hardly tell the
reader that these were Isaac and Re-
becca. Old Slocum knew his ground.
On the Moullon side Of the fence was a
wall at right angles with the one which
sc parated the lovers, and as Rebecca
would undoubtedly stop there, there was
little fear Of lsaac's proceeding any far
iher on his side Of the barrier. The old
man was half.ashamed of himself to be
II listener but as he felt rather provoked
with his son for being one Of the inter
loo utors in such an interview and as he
saw no mode Of getting away undetect-
ed, and had really too much respect for
Rebecca to lrighlen her by his sudden
apparition, he was compelled TO wait and
hear il out. Right glad was he that he
did so.
Rebecca was stating to Isaac the
whole difficulties Of her fathers case
and the miseries of her own dilemma. -
With what Slocum already knew and
suspected, he could understand the pos
ture Of affairs better than ever Rcbecca
did. When they reached the ang le--a
place. by ythc-way, with which they
seemed well acquainted, Rebecca sal
down on pile Of stones which looked
very much as if Isaac had been over
that side Of the wall, once upon a time,
if not more than once, and at several
times to arrange matters. Hardly was
Rebccca seated when Isaac putting
down his hoe, looked in all directions to
see if the coast was clear, and then,
step ping over, seated himself beside Re-
becca. Well thought old Slocum,
almost aloud this does beat all. The
young scamp-so coniounded SLY. But
was boy, once, myself
Flint had 'proposed'-not 10 Re ebecca,
to be sure, but TO her father. 1t took
the poor CIR! long time. to come to this
passage IN her narrative--and as soon
as she had finished, she bowed her head
and old Slocum could see her bosom
heave with heavy sobs. Isaac sat and
looked and thought moodily a moment
then shouied-in voice which sounded
very much as if he knew he was out of
doors, aud imagined he was out Of hear
ing, form Of objurgation which is more
remarkable for its abrupt shortness, than
ITS pollteness, or its elegance.
Amen to that y said voice behind
them. Both started 10 their feet. Re-
becca looking all lerror-lsaac, all de-
tiance. But even he cowed little when
his father stepped out from his hiding
place.
Come, now--don't be too much nus-
tered-l've heard, and 1 have seen
against my will al first, but very much
TO your benefit, i think, it will turn out,
| suppose l ought 10 be very angry with
lsaac-but l've had enough of bad blood
lately, and if you will agree to behave
like reasonable creatures, III see If an
end can't be put 10 some of it. Sit down
Becky. | reckon Pll sit down, too,-'
Ike, what are you doing with that hoe p
Isaac stammered-and ended in say
ing nothing.
well, | should survc you right if ]
sent you down to the other end Of the
farm with it-bu, ! reckon III let you
wait. Now Becky, you know Flint is
perfect knave, and that your father is
-
Rebecca looked up deprecatingly.
No matter. He's not bad at heart.
AS to you, you's one Of ten thousand
and ! always knew that Ike, here, has
found II out, too-but he need not have
been so awful sly. Ii the thing was all
10 begin anew, it's very likely / might
be C, ossgrained enough to make obJec-
tons. It's too late now and if you'll
trust me as far as you have trusted my
son, aud Just answer few questions,
III pu, you all right-drive Flint out Of
town-put your father on his legs-and
him ashamed Of himself, too.
Rebecca was puzzled al this curious ad.
dress, but a look from Isaac assured her
of her safety ; and The elder Slocum
proceeded to put two or three, or half