Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-11-19

at the treatment of women Those who are
foolish enough to become wives, or rather
slaves"
"But Miss Primley," interrupted Lucy
who knew that if the old lady mounted hel
favorite hobby, she would ride it till she had
completely tired both herself and her hearer
"unce says John only intends taking one more
voyage, and then to settle down to. business
and travel will enlarge his ideas and improve
his mind"
Yes, enlarge his ideas !" said Miss Prm
ley. Very fine Men ought to have enlarged
ideas and cultivated minds their superior in
tellects ought to be improved in every way
but just let woman want to travel to enlarge
her ideas-let her want to study something
more substantial than the usual class of femi
nine literature and all the male talent is
arrayed against her she steps forSooth out Of
her proper sphere ? do believe they think
that when woman takes up the pen, she lays
aside the needle for ever have no patience
with them !"
Lucy found that Miss Primley was not TO be
diverted from her pet topic, " the wrongs oi
woman so she soon took leave of her
On her way home, Lucy bought bunch OF
on the parlor table. for she liked her uncle to
have a cheerful looking home and when he
was out she always endeavored to make it
look more than usually attractive on his re-
turn. His slippers were airing at the fire,
the Times was placed close to his easy chair,
and Lucy. taking her work to her favorite
seat in the recess of the window, was awaiting
his return. Suddenly footstep startled her,
and looking up she beheld TALL handsome,
Sunburnt youth.
ais Mr. Harley at home ?" he inquired with
a look of astonshment at Lucy.
" No, but expect him every moment" re-
piled Lucy, her pretty face flushed with ex.
citement. Are you Cousin John ?"
d" | am John Harley" he said, laughing /;
1" but did not know that had such nice
little cousin. found the door ajar and stole
in, thinking to surprise father, and ought to
beg your pardon for startling you
Here Betsey ran in with Oh, Master John,
and throwing her arms round him gave him a
hearty kiss
Why, Betsey, how prime yon're looking,
said John, when he mad released himself from
her grip. Why you're quite blooming, old
lady"
"Ah, Master john" said Bctsey, " L amt
so strong as | was when used to take care
of you. You were mischievous boy
" have no doubt gave you deal Of trou-
BILE, Betsey," he replied " but you revenged
yourself by nearly wearing my face out with
washing it so often"
BetSey hasteued to get some refreshment
ready for her g dear boy" and John took the
opportunity to remark to Lucy, " You have
claimed me for cousin John, but DO lot
know how to address you"
{" am Lucy Ray" she replied.
" All :" exclaimed John. % recollect see
ing my Aunt Ray once when | was a little
boy. Do you live here, Cousin Lucy ?"
- Yes she replied, {" / have been with un-
Gle ever since my dear mamma died, and warm
tears filled her eyes at the mention Of the loV-
ed name.
The time of Johns visit vas bright period
of Lucy's life There was something very win
ming in the bold, frank youth, and when the
summons came for him to join ship again, a
gloom seemed to spread over the whole house.
He went, and Lucy, who had opened her young
heart as naturally to John as flower spreads
its petals to the sun, now shrank back into
herself again.
Miss Lucy didn't seem the same while
Master John wur here" said Betsey, some
how she wur always rather quiet like, though
she seemed happy but while he wur here, she
got as merry as a cricket. never heard her
laugh SO pretty and hearty like afore. We all
do miss 'en but | think she do feel it more'n
any on u.s."
1t is beautiful summer day, the golden
light falls mellowed through the glorious ca
nopy of quivering leaves, for the scene of this
incident is Leigh Woods Three years have
elapsed since the time of John Harey's leay-
ing home for his last cruise, and he has come
back to settle in business The handsome,
joyous youth is changed into the fine stalwart
man his bronZed checks and dark whiskers
have so altered him that old Betsey declares
she hardly knows him but there is the same
bright eloquent eye, and the same merry heart
that delighted his messnates and friends in
days Of yore. Lucy is even more altered the
slim, delicate-looking girl has matured into
the graceful woman. Much Of her childish
beauty is gone, but there is a rarer loveliness
in her face-the beauty of feeling and intel
lect The pair are standing under a tree,
apparently watching a steamer floating down
tht SIduucl, uut IIeit thOuSuIS arc "duucilIIS
far away. John is the first to break the ST.
lence
" Do you remember the first day saw you,
Lucy p he asked in a soft voice " You can
never think how sweet was that dear silvery
voice which called me Cousin john The
tones of that voice have come across me like
music in the lone night watches on deck. You
are changed since then, Lucy you are no
longer the free, simple child you were then
And do you not like the change ~ she
remarked.
al love You hundred times more than
ever" he replied but. oh Lucy fear you
are not so much my Lucy Low as in the days
of auld lang syne.' have long waited the
time when might ask yon TO be my wife
The time has come now. Will you not con.