Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-24

The day had been wet and dreary, fit en-
bem of its month, November and as the
evening postman Splashed through the mud on
his rounds in a certain sRburb of manufacture
ing town in England the family groups looked
from their warm, coy sitting-rooms, and said
they would rather he had his walk than they,
in the wintry weather
He left letters at many houses, but not at
all, as he would have done in the manufacture
ing districts of the town and whilst he is
knocking at one door, that of well kept,
pretty house standing in a small garden Let
us glance into its front parlor, preceding by
minute the letter that will soon be there.
The family are at dinner there Two ladies
only. One, young still, and handsome, sits at
the head of the table, the other much younger
aud equally welllooking, though in different
style, sits opposite to her, facing the window
Surely they cannot be mother and child 1t is
not only that there appears scarcely sufficient
contrast in the age, but they arc so totally un-
Ike in face, form and expression the elder all
fire and pcide, the younger all grace and sweet
ness No, they are only step-nether and
daughter
Make haste, Nancy" said tlc young lady
to the servant i'll waiting, there's the postman
coming here"
Her accent was exceedingly gay and joyful.
She expeetcd, perhaps some pleasant news,
poor girl and the maid left the room with
ahcrty
For me?" she questioned, as the girl re-
turned with a letter
Not for You, miss" was the servants an
Swer. For nv mistress"
She put the letter Oh the tablecloth By tac
side OF Mrs. Crane, and the latter laid down
the spoon with which she was eating some rice
pudding, and took it up.
Whom is it from, mamma p
How can tell, MiIlicert, before tisopeneds
II looks like some business letter, or circular.
\ largc-sized sheet of blne paper, and no en-
veIopc 1t eau wait. Will you take some more
pudding ?"
Philip sometimes writes on those business
sheets, cried Miss Crane, eagerly. Is it his
handwriting, mamma ?"
Philip nothing but Philip Your thots
are forever running upon him. / ask You about
Iqdding, and YOU reply with Philip Were L
Nj. Crauford, should be jealous"
No more, thank you," was the rejeinder of
the Young lady, while smile aud bright
blush rose TO her candid face Mamma, you
Gave never appreciated Philip" she said. But
the elder lady had opened her letter, and was
deep in It's contents
Nancy" cried out Mrs Crane, in sharp
nasty tone, as she folded the letter together,in
"Hat seemed a movement Of anger, take all
away, aud put the desert on. No cheese for me
Iy,eay, aud Miss Alllicent does not care for it.
~ =, qucS. want the room cleared. Ring for
Harriet to help YOU"
In Mrs, Cranes impatient moods she brook
VI no dlIatory serving, and the domestics
we'll Knew it. SO that her wish, in this in
@Ace' was executed with all despatch, and
@t and her step-daughter were left alone to-
sethcr
have never appreciated Philip, you say"
lF 0egan, as the door closed Not as you
W. %,. / am aware. | have always told you,
S."'ceat, that your exalted opinion of him,
"" exaggerated love- would some time re-
s .'s check. This letter is from his employ
les" hesitated Millicent. for there was
.IV'llhg hard, defiant and triumphant in her
FmotherS accent and words, and it terrified
5 lie has been robbing them and has now
r,,i ~,%uIed They warn me to give him up to
f'e f Il he should come hiding here"
lIn ''e hrSt shock of this terrible assertion,
r,aa DeN Crane gasped fer breath, so that the
n, tassohed denial she sought to utter would
s0omc For her confidence in her brother
r,,, soong, and her heart whispered to her
.,rl rle accusation was not true
n, mere is some mistake" she said recover
aP sTga agitation, and speaking quite calmly.
r,Si i"du The letter." returned Mrs. Crane,
gIrs g1Irrns 1t over the table towards her and
GsJ G.sn' read, and her confidence and her hope
,o,. %nen Millicent Crane had been ten and her
Csno eight, they were left motherless. Mr.
yon,1 @'Icr short lapse of time, married again
70 ,cGS ca! vile. She did not talk kindly to the
# Io,L ,pL'''ren or they to her She used to say
y9 '% On that they were so wrapt up in
".. They had no love to give her But