Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1860-12-29

at q friends, but she was not there. Why
should look so anxiously about, hoping
and yet fearing to encounter her beautiful
face Why could I not forget her at once,
and forever! Some one mentioned her
name. "Why was she not there :"
"Shc does not 60 out now since their
misfortune" was the reply.
"What pity! Poor ITaync They say
that she supports him by teaching
"Ycs, She is engaged in school just
beyond the village, 1t must be severe
and humiliating lesson to her; she was
very proud
l must confess ! was interested, and
desired to know more, much more but
asked no qucstions-I could not forget the
past.
Not long after this I learned that Mr..
Haynes house and grounds, which had
passed into the hands of some large land
owner, was again for sale. l purchased
it, having no definite purpose IN view, un-
less it was the thought that it would make
a comfortable residence for my father in
his declining years, since his own cottage
was getting quite out of repair. at once
set about repairing the mansion, for that
too had felt the mouldering touch of time :;
and for that purpose 1 frequently drove
out to watch and direct the operations of
the men employed.
l was one day driving leisurcly along,
when | espied, at some distance before me,
on old man, bent with age, and cropping
his tedious way along the road. Presently
he sat down by the roadside to rest, and
when | came up l offered him seat in my
chaisc
"Never mind" he said, "it is only lit
tie way that l have to go just to yondcr
school house on the hilltop. 1 90 there
sometimes when the days are pleasant like
this to meet my daughter and accompany
! her home from school She isFhc teacher,
you know"
disregarded his refusal of my offer,
and sprang out Of the chaisc, extending
him my hand to assist him to a seat, as
though I thought it matter of course that
he would ride.
'Well, we'll said he, "sncc you wish it,
l will 90 with you. There are not many
| that arc kind to the old man now. am
not what l was six years agol was
! rich man then-yery rich; but speculation
did the mischief. See yonder house just
beyond tie school; it was mine. All it
was happy home, but it never can be
mine again.
And thus he babblcd on; for the mfr
mites Of age, promaturcly induced by his
mistortunes, had rendered him garrulous.
lie was indeed changed; for among all l
had seen since my return home, not one
had grown so old as he. lie did not rec
ognize me; and as I drove slowly along,
very slowly-for he said many things that
were Interesting to mel learned more of
lis circumstances, and Of the sacrifices,
concessions, efforts and flial affection of
his daughter lsabel--the name affected
me, will confess it-than had previous
ly a,certaincd.
had often passed the school house, as
it was directly on my way to my new pur-
chase, but had never before caught sight of
the fair teacher. As We now approached,
| observed the scholars rushing from the
door, and before We drove up, she herself
emerged and stood before us.
"Ah, Isabel, this kind gentleman urged
me to ride in his chai>e and l want you
to thank him in my behalf, because you
do not know how much it has rested me"
If 1 had remained unrecognzed by the
father, could not escape the searching
glance Of the daughter. Her quickly
changing color indicated at once that she
knew, Or at leat suspected who | was. l
turned round my chaise, sprang out aud
offered to assist her in, saying, "Permit
me, Miss Ilaync-your father is fatgucd,
and | will drive you 10 your home, l
shall have ample time to attend to my other
business aftarward."
She stammcred some excuse; but in
sisted upon her riding, and had the salts,
faction of seeing her yield.
For moment gave myself up to the
happy memories of the past, was again
beside the only being had ever loved. l
felt the rustic of her dress against my
hand and Notwithstanding my exterior
GOODNESS and assumed formaity, l could
not suppress the tumult within.
Isabel was little changed but changed
much for the better, I he naughty maid
Ell had becOme the hpautifpl woman Shn