Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-07-14
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY AT TOWAND BRADFORD COUNTY, Pa
A" Y-e-e-S, sir" | stammered

Lees, sir, SCammereQ.
Humph didn't you know better than
that = That old gray isn't worth button to
go. Why didn't you come up to my barn and
get my black mare {? Sam, Sam, hurry away
straight to the barn and harness black Molly
for Jason. If you'll believe it, he was going
to start off with his fathers old horse Be
quick, Sam-work lively-they're in hurry
it's time they were off"
Have you anything with you Janet, to
eat on the road ?" put in Mrs Stoddard pok-
ing her head out of the window
No, ma'am," faltered Janet, moving step
or two from me.
"Well, that's good forethought And if
l live, there isn't bit of cake cooked in the
house, either! Can YOU take some white
bread aud bacon, and some brown bread and
cheese, do, Jason. It's all we have"
Yes, ma'am," | said meekIy, stepping
as easily as could little farther from Janet.
Look, father aud mother, quick, now the
moon is out, and see JaSou's new coat and
hat !" called Fan, from the window, her mer-
ry voice trembling with suppressed laughter.
" Isn't that coat spendd one, father Just
look at the length of its tails ?"
" Just give me my glasses, wife ?" said the
doctor. Is it new one Jason ?"
IeS, sir, rather new" said, giving an ca
ger look in the direction of the lane.
Well" drawlcd the doctor eyeing me
sIyly, that coat is handsome"
And his hat, father p called the wicked
little Fan.
Il de clare" exclaimed the doctor. "Wife,
wife, look here, and see Jason's coat and
hat :"
What should l do-stand there till morn
ing before that iucessant fire Of words should
| run should | sneak off slowly, as Janet was
doing What, OH what should l do ?
" Don't they look nice, mother ?" asked the
doctor, putting one broad, brown hand over
his mouth, and doubling his gray head almost
down to his knees. He-haw. he-haw. hi-he-
haw. mother-hehaw!-don't they look nice?"
roared the doctor
l couldn't stand it any longer The doctors
laughter was a signal it was echoed from all
parts of the house. Fan cackled from the
chamber window Sam shouted from the
barn Mrs. Stoddard "ho-ho,ho'd - from
the kitchen, while Charlie threw himself down
in the doorway and screamed like u wild In
dian. | turned away | gave 4 leap across
the garden Every Stoddard called after me.
| am wrong every Stoddard but Janet she
remained silent. One told me to come beck
for the bread and cheese ; another that had
forgotten my bundle and bride another bade
me wait for black Molly and the new buggy:
Fan bade me hold up my coat tails, or should
get them draggled | didn't heed any of these
requests | went directly for home [ reached
home, feeling SbeePish-nO, sheepiSh is weak
word for it can't express to you how felt
| had a great idea Of hanging myself
thought that had better be dead than alive:
that had made an idiot of myself All was
plain Fan had betrayed us | vowed ven
geauce upon her until broad-daylight, then
sneaked out into the barn, and hid in the hay
stack. l staid there until Charlie Stoddard
brought home my fathers horse.
The old gentleman was frightened; wanted
to know how he came by the horse He was
told to ask me he did ask me, and made a
clean breast Of it. | didn't promise MIN to re-
peat the offence there was no need Of it but
| am sure of this, | did not look at a girl for
seven yearS-no not for seven years When
the eighth year came round, remembered my
old vow against Fanny Stoddard Well, to
make long story short, | married Fanny. ia
net became parsons wife.
And here let me tell you in confidence. read
er, that really think little Fanny Stoddard
had a deep motive in her head when she be
trayed Janet and me, though she was but 4
child She liked me, even then, believe
We'll, she declares every time that the affair is
mentioned, that | have had nv revenge upon
her. Bless her faithful heart it has been in
deed sweet one.