The Van Buren press., 1861-03-08

!
/ tied abstract of the character of the
Hardwiche agent, and the impositions ho
was wont to practise upon the tenants and
most of the characters >" thereabouts.
Then he continued to learn all about Jessie's
little school. and her ailing mother. and he
smiled to himself. in the twilight. to OBJ
serve the pride Of her mien, when she allu-
ded to the high position from which unfore-
| seen revorses had compelled her mother to
descend.
"Then." she said. suddenly pausing with
feeling that she had been almost too COM
municative. ." If we only could cross yon-
der lawn. the gates are close by. but We
shall have to go . quarter of mile round"
| = WHY - ~, --i--l .h---A---o---
"Mr. Talcott will not allow travellers to
cross here-h he says it is private property"
II fancy shall dare Mr.. Talcott's
WRATH" said the gentleman. laughing As he
pushed open the wire gate that defended tho
forbidden space. I" 1t is perfectly absurd to
make people go quarter of q mile out OF
their way for mere whim''
They had scarcely entered the enclosure
when they met an unlocked for obstacle,
Talcott. himself. who was prowling over
the grounds, On the qui 0ive for trcspassers.
Halo. here ~ growled he "just turn
oack, IL you ple1Sc 1niS ISL the puOlIc
thoroughfare."
The straIgeI held Jessie's arm under his
own u little tighter, as if to repress her ev-
dent inclination TO 3" beat q retreat" Ho
was disposed to maintain his position.
81 don't see any reasonable cause why
we shouldn't go ahead.' he said pertina-
ciously. There is path here. and suppose
it was made to walk on.''
60 81
uously, $50 go back as fast as you car"
"ls it possible that people are made to
travel circuitous and unpleasant route for
sir ?" asked the gentleman. looking down
at the little man from the altitude of his six
feet. with kind OF laughing scorn. did
ers had rights and convenienccs as well as
yourself"
Cant help their rights-nothing to
obs,inately in the path. IL forbid all pas
sing here -
80 But suppose Evcrari Hardwiche may
have the privilege of crossing his own land ?
persisted the stranger, still presenting tho.
half contcmptuous smile that had from tho
beginning made the agent SO uncomfortable.
Talcott grew not exactly pale, but yellow
with CONSERVATION.
+" Mr.. Hardwichc-sir. did not know
we did not expect"
to pass with the lady. Miss Jessie. don't
forget that l need your services n few min
utcs yet. When we reach the house, l will
proiong my walk to your cottage. Nay,
don't shrink away from mc-arc we not to
be very good friends %
| i'll I in
| life." was his internal comment, as hs at
length parted from her at tho little gate.
where burning bushes and dark green ivy
were trained together with oil wOman's
taste.
The Christmas SHOWS lay white and deep
on the farmhouse eaves--the Christmas
logs crackled on the hearth, where MIR.
/ Woodbridge still gazed dreamily into tho
glowing cinders. and Keturahs knitting
needles clicked with electric speed.
THAT mortgage botEers met bothcrs
me-" he murmured, almost plaintixely.
"Well, s'pose it amt NO use fiettin' :
but had Thought to live and die in tho
old place where my father did, afore me-
The Lords will be done, though. Some
how things hain't prospered with mc-1
don't seem to get along.
YOU'D ha' got along well enough, I
guess, responded Keturah. who belonged.
snper cminently, to that class of people
known as Jobs comforters.' +" if you'd
look after your p's and q's as l told you.
You always was too free handed. and now
, you see what it has brought ye tow"
"Well. well, ketury. we never did think
= alike on some things" returned tho old
: man. "Let's talk about pleasanter SUBJ
icct 1, What do you think about our school
ma ANS marrying young Mr.. Harwichc to
morrow? Didn't always tell you that
p. Jesse Moreton was born to be lady? l
may be onlucky myself. but anyhow. I'm
glad to hear of little Jessie's luck"
You'd great deal better keep your
). sympathy for yoursolf.'' growled Keturah.
: What's other folks luck to you. I'd like
y to know? Thcre-soIne ones knocking
. at the door, see w,.o tits ."
, 1t was little note brought by one of the
: school boys under Jessic's care.
. "Where's my glasses? l can't see Al
well as | could once. Shove the the can.
: die this way, will you, Ketury? And fit
;; ting his brass bowed spectaclcs on his nose
the old man unfolded the note and read, in
= = Jessie's delicate chirography:
;, "Do not let that mortgage disturb you
Christmas-day, to morrow. dear lathe
: Woodbridge. 1t will never haunt you
y hca.thstone. again. Mr. Hardwiehe viii
!, :, send you the papers. soon, to destroy. Tih
:. is Jessie's Christmas present. l have no
:. forgotten those golden pippins,' nor al
- other kindnesses."
:, Aha. wife 70 said tho old man, smil
= =. ing and trying to brush away. unseen, tn
: big tears that ,could Come, "what do yo
!. think OF my investment snow -
y Keturah's reply wasneither elegant nor
.. !. strictly speaking. grammatical. but It wa
:. significant. She said. simply, Well.
~ ~ never w y Weekly.
II ANOTHER MONSTER GUN CAsr.-Anotf
!" cr monster gun was cast at tho Fort Pi
Is , works, on Wednesday. The Floyd.
nu the heaviest piece of ordnance that II
world has ever seen. was fifteen feet boz
and forty nine inches in diameter at tt
10 breech. Its weight in tho rough. was sex
~ enty eight thousand pounds, and when Il.
4 nd