Litchfield enquirer., 1861-04-11
Alisfellanp.
MIR. wooDBRIDGE's INVESTMENT.

MIR. WOODBRIDGE'S INVESTMENT.
 The fiery crimson of the stormy Novembe sunset was staining all the hills with it's luri, giare-the wind, mnrmuring restlessly among thu dead leaves that lay heaped over the wood paths seemed to mourn wiih an almost human voice But the autumnal melancholy without only sery ed to heighten the cheerfulness of the roaring wood fire, whose ruddy glow danced and quiver ed over the rough rafters of Farmer Woodbrdpes spacious old kitchen, sparkling on the polished surfaces of platters and glimmering brasses. and sending long stream of radiance through the uncurtained windows out upon the darkpino road.
 "Yes, as was sayin' afore," observed the old farmer, rubbing his toil-hardened hands together, and gazing thoughtfully into the fire, " t's been . capital harvest this year-I wouldn't ask for no better. So, wife, you jist pick out some of them yaler pippin apples and put 'em into Jes- sie's basket agin when she calls arter it."
 Won't the little red uns do as we'll? cal cu!ated to keep them pipoins for market Squire Benson says they're worth"
 Il don't keer what they're worth" lnterrup- ted the farmer, as his helpmate spare, angular woman, W tn face ploughed with innumerabIe little lines of care, fingered the yellow-checked apples dub'ously. Il tell you what it is, etury. folks never yet lost anything by doin' a kind thing. never could make you believe that un- less the pay came right in. in hard cash Now here Jessie Morton, as likely q gal as ever ever breathed, teachin' school day in and day out. and her marm sewn' to hum earnin' Twin by the hardest work-born ladies, both on 'em Don't you spose these apples will be worth more to them, if you give em with kind word, than they would be to that pesky tight listed agent up to Hardwiche Hall, If he gave dollar bu. hel?
 Charity begins to hum," said Keturah. jerk ing out the supper table with an odd twist of the tace. :" Not but what Jessie's we'll enough-but you'd plaguy sight better scratch your pennies together to pay up that mortgage, if you don't want the Hardwiche agent forcclosing on you And them pippins is ust as good as so much money. There they be, anyhow, in the basket one of your investments. guess."
 "One of my investments, then if You like to call it so, ketury," said the farmer, with good humored laugh, banishing the annoyed expres- sion which had overspread his face when she al- luded to the mortgage.
 Come long in,s Jessie, my gal. he added cheeriy, as light touch sounded on hls door, latch. U Here's the basket, all right and some of them golden pippins tucked Tn tot. Maybe they'll tempt our mothers appetite"
 Jessie MOreton was slender graceful girl of about seventeen, with satin smooth bands of chestnut hair, parted above low, sunny fore head, large liquid eyes, and cheeks which Far mer Woodbridge always said sot him to think in of them velvet .lookin Jarsey peaches that grew on the tree down n the south medder.'- She took up the basket with grateful smile that went even to the heart of Mrs Keturah
 70, Mr. Woodbridge. how kind you are to Us. If were only rich-if l could only make some return-"
 Don't you say word about that are," said the farmer, rubbing his nose very hard. "Jest you run home us fast as you can put, for it's get ting most dark, and the November wind ain't no ways healthy as 1 ever heerd on. And say Jessie, if it rains tomorrow so you can't get to ! school handy, just you stop here and I'll give yuu lift in my wagon."
 "D Dear old Mir. Woodbridge, soliloqnized Jes. sic Moreton to herself. as her light foutstep pat times had cause to thank his generous heart l And to think that he should be SD distressed about the mortgage by the agent at Hardwiche Hall"
 She paused for moment to look up where the stately roofs and gables of the Hall rose darkly outlined against the crimson that still burned stormlly in the sky. On,a commanding height, and nearly hidden in trees, many of whom still retained their brilliant autumn foli- age, it seemed almost like a, old baronial castle.
 "There it stands she unused, shut up and si- lent, year after year; its magnificent rooms tenanted the flowers blossoming ungathered in its conservatorics Since Mrs. Hardwiche died twelve years since mama says-the family have been away, and the only surviving heir is travel ing, no one knows where. Iwonder if he knows how grasping and cruel his agent is? Oh, dear,' she added softly, money does not always come where it most needed. If 1 were the mistress of Hardwiche Hallv'
 She started with slight scream the next in- stant, as a tall figure rose up from the messy border by the roadside, directly in front of her. :" Pardon me, said a voice that instantly re-as- sured her, for it was too gentle to come from any but gentleman, but 1 am not certain that 1 have lost my way. Is this the Elden road? was waiting for some one to come and direct me-"
 "This is Elden road" said Jessie, all uncon- scious that the last gleams of the fading sunset were lighting up her fair innocent face with an almost angelic beauty, as she stood there among the fallen leaves.
 "And can you tell me the shortest footpath to Hardwiche Hall? Ihave not been in this neigh borhood since 1 Was a child, and I am complete ly at fault"
 | Jessie hesitated moment. "I could show you better than tell you, for it is rather com plicated road,' she said, "and if you will accept my services as guide, it will not be much out of my way" stranger. Meantime let me carry your bas- ket."
 It was a wild and lovely walk, winding among moss-garlanded trees and hollows, sweet with the aromatic incense of dying leaves. Jessie could not help admiring the chivalric manners and polished courtesy of her companion, and he was more than pleased with the blooming loveli- ness and girlish dignity of his young guide. A few adroit questions respecting Hardwiche Hall and it's neighborhood, sufficed to draw forth a spirited abstract of the character of the Hard wiche agent and the impositions he was wont to practice upon the tenants and neighbors, as we'll as an arch description of most of the "c1arac- i ters' whereabouts. Then he continued to learn all about Jessie's little school and her ailing mother, and he smiled to himself, in the twilight, to observe the pride of her mien when she allu- ded to the high position from which unfortunate reverses had compelled her mother to descend.
 Then she said, suddenly, pausing with feel ing as if she had been almost too communicative, {. If we could only cross wonder lawn, the gates are close by, but we shall have to go quarter of mile round."
 "Why ?" asked the stranger.
 "Mr. TalcOtt will not allow travellers to cross here-he says it is private property" II fancy l shall dare Mr. Talcett's wrath, said the gentleman, laughing, as he pushed open It is perfectly absurd to make people go aquar- ter of a mile out of their way for mere whim.'
 They had scarcely entered the enclosure when they met an unlocked for obstacle, Talcott him, sell, who was proving over the grounds on the <ra a 41TS0 fnR fRo1u