Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-11-03


would bear reduction. At any rate, he ran
down to Portland Terrace (eager as he was,
not sixpence would he waste in cab-hire and
rushed in very wet and very happy to rejoice
and consult with Mary. Mrs. Simpson was
in her own room, very busy with the dressmak-
er Augusta, who was good-natured girl
enough, and very fond of her sister, and will
ing also no doubt to do as she would be done
by, found she had something to look after in
the kitchen though her conscience smote her
afterwards for weakly allowing her feelings to
interfere with her duty, having fully adopted
her mothers views at conference held the
evening before, that it would be thousand
pities now, when Mary might do so well, and
form an undenable connection, " to your ad-
vantage, you know my dear, as we'll, said the
thoughtful mother, for her to go and throw
herself upon that young Harrison" The coast
being clear however, Mary aud her lover had
a good three-quarterS of an hour to themselves
before Mrs Simpson knew that be was in the
house; and how much may be said and done
in thrce-quarterS of au hour judciously en-
ployed. On the stage, q whole petite c0medls,
comprehending at least two pairs OF lovers
and their fortunes, is performed within the
time in real life, all that is WORTH remember
ing ia the long, dull drama of existence, for
either man or woman, is often played out in
less the rest of it-SceneS, characters, aud
dalogue-might be all cut out without de-
stroying the interest, ii not with advantage to
the lockers on. But for the two young hearts
now beating near each other very near in
deed it waS) in Mrs. Simpsons parIor, though
without her sanction, the grand act of life
had been played already, long since it was
only the winding up of the piece which
they had to settle, and that was soon done
If Mary didn't think it too little 10 live upon,
why, George didn't. If George thought they
could manage, then Mary was sure they could
In meeting so unanimous. the resolutions do
Bot require much discussion. The arguments
are admitted on both sides or rather, both
sides are one If any unpleasant suggestion
one Of the prudence party-iutrudeS itself,
the course is ObyiouS-"turn him OUT What
means freedom of discussion on such subjects
indeed on any Subject-eXcept freedom to
discuss it as much aud as little as You like =
Then she told him-and was glad she had not
told him before-Of the possibility that she
might have little something too. Papa
would not let her come to him quite penuileSS
now and some day or other-perhapS when
they most wanted il. L" for their children in
her pure innocence she said--he might-She
was sure he would-do all that he fairly could
for her. And George was almost angry with
her for having any thing to promise him be
sides herself
Three-Guarters of an hour was it why il
did not seem FIVE minutes. Augusta thought
the clock had stopped, for the kitchen fire was
low. and Betsy was SnappiSh, and not 50 much
inclined for gossip as usual htr young man
was waiting At the area steps which account
ed for low whistle every FIVE minutes, start
ling Augusta Betsy said the cat had cold J
Three-quarte-S of an hour it was though, Meth
er more nor less. and George must 20 couldn't
even stay supper as usual be would have more
work TO do now, and there was something 10
be attended 10 that very night he ' had
rather 20" and Mary did not ask him To stay.
So the mischief was done, aud George Harrl-
son halfway home TO his humble lodgings, be
fore Mrs Simpson descended 10 supper. She
was in a beuiguant mood, for the new gowns
fitted admirably. aud being what the dress
maker called rather oliy"-Uh hich only i'm
plies that which in pOliter language is called
weIl-developed propOrtioas-Shc was conscious
that she looked we'll In black Even the an
uouncement which Mary very inROceEtly made
at Supper-time, that George had been there,
neither Spoilt her temper nor her eppetite {;
Ire was gone again. that was a comfort but
she would lose 10 time in having a talk with
Mary So when she had flushed her modeT-
ate glass OF um-and-water, she was not sorry
10 see her Younger daughter (Wh0 had not
spent 4 satisfactory evening on the whole, hav-
inE sat for what seemed o her an unconscious
able time iu the dark with the cross Betsy and
an uneasy couSciencel take up her candlc-Stics
with yawn and proceed TO bed. Mary, too,
bad something TO say. Is was with some lit
tie miSgiying-more certainly thaa she should
have felt fortnight back-that she told her
mother Of Georges advancement, and how be
had now taken courage actually TO speak about
their marriage She did not feel quite sure,
when she recalled certain hints and >ide-Speech-
es Mrs. Simpson was great in that line) ad-
dressed during the last few DAYS rather to Au-
cuSta than herself. about haSty engagements,
aud inpCudent marriages.. aud the duty Of pay
ing due regard TO the station in which people
were placed whether what she had 20 tell
would be received quite as she could wish.
While George was with her, she had seen
no difficulties in the way; bat nov alone with
her mother. ali her JOY aud confidence were
gone. But if she spoke hesitstincly and an
,iciDatiug q somewhat colder reception FOR her
confession than the good humore3 banter which
she had grown accustomed 10 on this same Sub-
ject, little Indeed was she prepared for the
storm Of anger which burst upon her. Never
had Mrs Simpson been seen 50 angry. She
was provoked with herself for having 50 de-
layed her lecture to the elder daughter 50
long ensry with her whole household fOT
having been aceomplicsS in securinS that in
portant three quarters Of an hour for George
and Mary's conspiracy against her angry
with the dressnaker for having come 81 that
particular criSis-an ho1r behind her appoint
1. = Z