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

would take charge of Lucy, drew up her prm
hgure, and muttered something about children
being troublesome.
face, and she pulled Mrs. Brown by the gown
to beg she would come to another carriage,
but the old lady gave grim consent, and Lu-
cy found herself in the carriage by her side.-
Feeling like culprit, she drew herself into
the farthest corner, AMI from thence contem-
plated her gaunt pro tectress. Everything
about her was stiff and angular She sat bolt
upright, for fear of crushing her dress, which
was of blue-bIack silk, as narrow as bolster,
case, with two little founces at the bottom Of
the skirt. Her bonnet was curious specimen
of mediaval art-a cross between Minervia's
helmet and coal scuttle. Her ruff might have
been worn by the maiden queen" and in
her right hand she grasped green cotton UNI
brella. For long way she preserved dig
nifed silence but at length she said, ad-
dressing Lucy, "How is it that your parents
have SO young a child to travel by her
self?"
A gush of tears was the child's only
reply to this question, put in slow measured
tones.
The frigid countenance of the old lady some
what relaxed, and noticing for the first time
the deep mourning garments of her little charge
she really felt very sorry for her, aud said more
gently, Poor child have you lost your mo-
ther or your father ?"
Both" sobbed Lucy
The old lady put her long bony hand on
, Lucy's shoulder, and attempted to console
her but she was not much accustomed to wo-
mans most holy privilege, that of comforting
the distressed her attempts at kindness, there
fore, sat awkwardly on her, and sat at length
reapsed into her former state of bolt-upright-
ness.
The journey was over at last the engine
ran putting as if sadly out Of breath with its
exertions, into the Bristol Station, and the old
lady began to reckon up her packages
Lucy wondered what she was to do, and
whether her uncle would be at the station, and
how he was to recognise her.
The old lady did not leave the carriage till
nearly every one was out of the train she
then stepped out with a dignifed air. and turn
ing round said, "Now, child, get out ~
Lucy obeyed, and an elderly woman, looking
earnestly at her, asked, Be your name Ray,
miss, axiug your pardon Z"
Yes" replied Lucy.
Lucy Ray, miss p continued the woman.
Yes" said Lucy.
be so glad to see ZEE miss, right down
glad !" said the woman, and soil be your un-
Gle Poor man he's got the gout powerful
bad, or he'd ha' come for zee hisself. Lor,
Miss Primley, nam who'd ha' thought Of
seeing you in the train !"
This latter exclamation was addressed to
Lury's fellow traveller, who smiled a grin re-
cogmtion, and asked how Mr. Harley was, and
added, What on earth is he going to do
with that child ? for infer from your words
she is going to reside with him"
Do with her, ma'am why amt she his
bis own sisters child and amt he the proper
person to take to her? Poor little dear, how
dale and pny you do look, lovey,!"
4 few minutes more, and Lucy and the
kind,hearted but rough Betsey were threading
their way through the busy streets of Bristol
Lucy, who had never been in so large a place
before, felt her heart sink as she trod the
gloomy old streets, and wondered if she was
going to live in one of those dark, smoky old
houses
She asked how much further they had to
60 and to her great relief Betsey answered
"Oh, goodish way BE tired, miss We
do live a. most in the eountry-not real coun,
try, like Saford where coined from-but out
of these nasty streets
MIR Harley lived in the outskirts of the town.
in pretty little house with garden in front
but the plants had that dusty, smoke dried look
which plants always have which are coaxed
into flower in the neighborhood of q manufac-
turing town.
Poor Lucy felt very nervous as she was
ushered into the presence Of her uncle, who
was, as Betsey truly though not elegantly ex-
pressed it, powerful bad with guut !" but
even that most irritating complaint did not
entirely subdue the goOd-natured expression
of his face, and Lucy was relieved of her
worst fears as soon as she caught sight
of it,
Lucy soon became reconciled to her new
home, and Betsey, who was mad-of-al[work
and in some degree mistress too for she
ruled the house much as she liked, and some
times the old gentleman-was very kind to the
little stranger, and instead of resenting the in
truSion of child as many would have done,
she soon made Lucy quite pet OF hers.
Mr.. Harley loved Lucy fondIy, and would
have done anything to make her happy, aud
her warm heart clung with devoted affection
to her uncle still she felt void in her heart,
for neither of her new friends could fill the
place of the departed, nor could they sympa-
thise with her feelings and with the quick
instinct of childhood she saw at once that her
dearly loved studies would not be appreciated
and that she should have no one, as of old, to
read to her and explain what she could not
comprehend There were scarcely any books
in the house. that she soon discovered, and
Mr. Harley seldom read anything but the
newspaper
After a time Lucy was sent to day school,
and improved quickly in the simple rudiments
of education taught there but she had an in'
tellect of superior order, and longed for high
er requirements One day she found at her