Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-19

friendship towards me.
Scott is just grubbiag out the old hop
vine, Neley," said my friend to his wife,
This remark called forth quite chorus of
regretful expressions, and made me ask for in
formation as to the cause of such universal
interest. -
Patience, James," said Swinton "and
dinner" said servant at the same moment :;
so was faiH to marshal my hostess to the
dinnng-room, and endure uncomplauingly
several jocose remarks on the subject of "hopS,"
which were evidently generally understood,
though could not comprehend their mean
ing.
Much as admired my hosts charming
family, felt glad when he and had the din
ing-room to ourself, with the prospect Of all
unrestraiued chat.
"My wife was very faii-in-loVew able
person, seven-and-twenty years ago." said Luke,
after the door had closed upon that lady
"You need not tell me what she was old
fellow" replied "she is charming STILL and
| would soon let her kaow my opinion if she
We're a widow"
Thank you have no wish to test your sin
certv in the mode you. SO feeIingly hint at.
But, take my word for ii, in those by-gone
days Nelly would have been bad to match. |
was iateaded for the church as you are aware,
and went to college with that profession in
view but during my first vacation, | met
Nelly at Christmas party, and she changed
everything"
did Nelly object to parsons, then p
"No; but her father did The old man
was very rich, and had amasScd bis wealth by
trade; so he was determined to have q mer-
chant, and no other for a soun-law. Nelly
vas duttul-tdoUgh she owned regard for ME
and woald enter 40 engagement INSANE
tened by her father. So the eud was, that
uevcr went back to Cambridge, but entered
the old merchants Office as q clerk"
Very chivalouS | am sure but pre-
sumo you wound have resigned crowns as
well as a mitre-in proSpectvc-to to win Mel
ly"
Say as you will, it requires some self Jc.
nial to give up such fair prospects as had,
aud take to poddng and qulIdrving with
no very definite notice of any reward. Old
Stanley NelIy'S father-wouId only say that
if through my own unaided efforts | should
win good position in the mercantile world,
he would not refuse me when [ asked for his
daughter. In the meanwhile, | was allowed
free communication with my beloved, and we
were bt tn young enough to wait Il few years ;
for was only twenty when We met first, and
she was twelve months younger"
Fer three years | toed Ikea galley slave
in my new vocation. Old Stanley smiled ap-
proglngIy and advanced me fairly enough !;
but still there was an awful hill to climb be-
fore should dare to say word about claim
ing Nelly. or indeed, before circumstances
would permit me to marry without pecuniary
aid from her father. My whole capital amoun-
ted to 5000 it was legacy from a maiden
aunt of mine; and many times during these
three probationary years had been tempted to
speculate with it, in the hope OF taking fortune
| 10y storm, as it were, instead of whining it bit
10y bit"
cannot fancy you Speculator, Luke, "
said l. though | always considered you a
particular wide-awake individual. Do you re.
member your school nickname, All Eyes"
"To be sure | do, and | deserved it. Still
as you say, am not naturally speculative. /
make the most of things in a regular way of
business, but run no needless risk Above all,
| hold that he who endaugers pound more
than he actually possesses, commits a breach
of the command Thou shalt not steal -
| GJ i UdFG SbCIuihICd o1Oiy oHu IL 10 VI
nv own gambling transactions am going to
speak / had made such satisfactory progress
under old StantleyS tuition that at length he
proposed should invest my little capital, and
become his partner to the amount above named
| Well do | remember leaving home on the
moraing of the day on which he made this
proposition. As | passed though the gate
which led into the shrubbery-yOu recoiIect
the place, james, for you spent many jovIai
day at oar house when we were ladS-l was
attracted by the beautiful appearance of a
| kop-vue which twined lightly around a sapling
hard by had watched its growth, and now,
as its flowers trcmbled in the soft wind, !
pansed to admire it, before l passed on my
way. Before | returned in the evening had
made arrangements to become a partner in the
house of Stanley & CO.. and my little capital
was, may say, in my hands, ready to rein
vest"
|'ADy person would suppose that under
such circumstances, should be too much alb
sorbed in meditation on my commercial pros
poets to notice small external objects. But
/ such was not the case. As usual | was all
eyes," and when reached the little shrubbery
gate. noticed that the plant, which in the
morning looked so beautiful, was now sunken,
and appeared as though scorched aud with
cred. Curious to know the cause, | went ian
mediately to the library, and took down a
work which would, thought, enlighten me.
in it ] found description of what is termed
the hopblight; and, on comparing my own
experience with it, | could scarcely doubt that
my favorite plant had been thus suddenly
struck With disease. Still was pot quite sat
iSfed SO / copsnlted the gardener, who hap,
pened 10 be at work on the lawn. He shook
his head when he saw the vine. at is the
blight sure enough" said he. " Very feB
hops will tbeEe he this year. 1t comes Git
way, and covers Q great eHtent OF country al