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

/ had not seen Luke Swnton for thirty
years; and so long ago, we were class mates
aud sworn chums. In the interim, had been
knocked about the very shuttlecock of fortane,
until at last the capricOus dame gave me the
means of coming hOme-that is, to England
with the prospect of ending my days there.
7 said had not seen Luke SwintOn for thirty
years, and vet, when he and | accidentally
iosted each other /" on Change soon after
my arrival there was enough of the old face
left for me to recognize it. = -r.....s
You are Luke Swinton." said /, and held
out my hand
And Won are-" He looked inquir-
ingy, and his palm slowly ex tended, touched
mine with doubtful clasp, till he filled up the
sentence
'"James Ashburton"
No want Of cordiality when those words
FELL on his ear ITO think | did not know
you," said he. "Bnt thirty years make many
changes, and yours had been a rowing life. by
all accounts. You shall tell me everything by
aud byn @
| shook my head Mine would he too
long story in detail, but you may fll it up
from the outline | went away poor have
not returned rich though enough TO supply
bachelors wants"
" [ am sorry you are a bachelor my dear
fellow said my old mate, eyeing me compass
sionateIy But there is bright side to
every ything, and You can go home with me to
dinner without its being necessary to ask
permission moreover, you can give orders for
your baggage to be forwarded TO Hop Villa.
nv little place out Of town, without fear that
your other half will lodge detainer. De
pend on it, | shall not very soon part with
you"
And can you really give me such an in.
1itation without the cogniZance of the lady
that owns you? Oh, happy Benedict !" cou-
tinued laughing, tell me where may find
such partner, and will forthwith join your
fraternity"
Don't talk rashly, James, but rather make
all the preparations you need for long visit
and Join me two hours hence
He named the place of meeting. Both
were punctual, and we duly arrived at Hop
Villa
/ did not expect to see such lovely domain
AS that which called my old friend master, and
its extent so far exceeded my expectations as
did its beauty. " So this is your home 2"
asked, my face expressing both surprise and
pleasure.
Yes all is really mine these boundaries
enclose | see you wonder how it came to be
so but do not like to begin long story
before dinner, SO be patient a little while lon
ger"
We were near the house when we came up
.on the gardener, who was examining the
wilhered remains of an old hop-vne
"Is it quite dead, Scott" inquired my
friend.
Quite, sir. Shall reaoye it 2"
Il suppose you must. but feel sorry to
give the order. Remember, you procure and
plant another its place Immediately. must
not have Hop Villa without one vine"
=" have been wondering" said [, "vhat
induced you to give this charming place the
name it bears-if. indeed. You acted as its
sponsors"
"Ah, thereby hangs a-or rather the-tale.
but ait till after dinner"
/ must say felt very forlorn. in cOmpari-
son with my friend, when saw the joyous
greeting he received from handsome matron
and half dNEen boys aud girls varying from
six to eighteen. Gn spite of his mok-iugp6.
Eious expression of face, when he informed me
that these formed only portion of bis :" re-
sponsibilities," for one olive branch was at col
Iege, and the youngest tendrils of his house
hold vine would come in with the desert, one
might see his home deserved the name. 1t
was pleasant to receive sort of reflected edi-
eion Of all their cordially, and felt my heart