Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-01-31


about seventeen, with satin-Smooth bands of
hair, parted above low, sunny forehead, large
liquid eyes. and cheees which Farmer Wood
bridge always declared "sot him to thinking O.
them velvet-lookin Jarsey peaches that grew
on the tree down in the south meadowlD She
took up the basket with grateful smile that
went even to the fiinty heart of Keturah,
"Oh, Mr.. Woodbridge how kind you always
are to u.s. If were only rich--if could
only make you some retnrn--"
Don't you say a word about that" said the
farmer, rubbing his nose very hard, list you
run home as fast as ever you can cut, for it's
getting most dark, and the November wind
amt no ways healthy as | ever beard on. And
| say Jessie, if it rains tomorrow so you can't
go to school handy jest you stop here, and
! III give you lift in wagon
Dear old Mr.. Woodbridge" soliloquized
Jessie Morton to herself as her light footsteps
partered along on the fallen leaves, chow many
times | have had cause to thank his generous
heart. And think he should be so distressed
about that mortgage by the agent at Hard
wche Hall"
She paused for moment to look I'D to
where the stately roofs and gables of the hall
rose darkIy outlined against the crimson that
| elIil ouIutI SlOILlIII III lut shy. On d COM
mandng height and nearly hidden in trees
many of which still retained their autuma
foliage, it seemed almost like an old baronial
castle
There it stands she unused, shut up and
silent, year after year, its magnificent rooms
untenated, the flowers ungathered in its con-
serVatOsies. Since Mrs. Hardwiche died
twenty years since, mamma says--the family
I.o,,a a.
their is travelling, no one knows where. |
wonder if he knows how grasping and cruel
his agent is?" "Oh, dear" she added softly,
money does not always come where it is most
needed If | were the mistress of Hardwiche
/ Hall"
She started with slight scream, the next
instant as a tall figure rose mp from the mosSv
boulder by the roadside directly in trout of
her.
Pardon me-" said voice that instantly
reassured her, for it was too gentle to come
/ from ahy but gentleman, but | am not GER
tain that have lost my way Is this the Eldon
road? | was waiting for some one to come
along and direct me-"
This is Edon road" said Jessie, all IN
conscious that the last CLEAN of the fading sun
set was lighting mp her fair, innocent face with
among the fallen leaves
And Can You tell me the shortest footpath
to Hardwiche Hall? | have not been in this
neighborhood since | was little boy and now
| am completely at fault"
Jessie heSitated moment. 81 could show
you better than could tell, for it is rather a
complicated road, ;" she said, land if you will
accept my services as guide, it will not be
much out OF my way" FL -.-r-.. ---
Il shall very much honored," said the stran-
ger, Meanwhile let me carry your basket"
1t 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 courtsey of her compan-
ion, and he was more than pleased with the
blooming Ioveliuess and girliSh dignity of his
young guide.
A few adroit questions about Hardwiche
Hall and its neighborhood suf1iced to draw from
! Jessie a spirited abstract of the character of
. the Hard giche agent, and the impOStionS he
was wont TO pratice upon the tenants as well
as an arch description Of the characters"
thereabouts. Then he continued to learn all
about Jessies little school, and her ailing moth.
er, and he smiled to himself, n the twilight to
ed the high position from which unforeseen re-
verse had caused her mother to descend
There" she said, suddenly pausing, with a
feeling as if she had been almost too communi-
catye, eff We could only cross yonder lawn the
gates are close by, but we shall have to go a
quarter of a mile round"
Why" asked the stranger.
"Mr Tacott will not allow strangers to |
cross here; he says its private property"
81 fancy shall dare Mr. Talcott'S wrath"
said the gentleman, laughing, as he pushed !
open the wire gate that defended the forbidden !
space.
at is perfectly absurd to make people go a
quarter Of a mile out Of their way for mere |
whim"
They had scarcely entered the enclosure,
when an unlookedfOr obstacle presented itself .
in the shape of the redoubtable Talcott himself !
who was prowling over the grounds on the qui /
rice for trespasscrs.
"HalIoo, here" growed he: ''just turn back |
if you please. This isn't the public thorough |
fare"
The stranger held Jessies arm under his
little tighter as if to repress her evident in
clination to beat his position
al don't see any reasonable cause why we
shouldn't go ahead" he said, pertinacously.
There is path here and suppose it was
made to walk in i"
"Not for you" said the agent contemptuous-
ly, $50 go back as fast as you can" .
as 1t possible that peopear made to travel
a circuitous and unpleasant route, for no other
reason than your caprces~ asked the gentle /
man, locking down at the shrveled little man,
from the altitude of his six feet with kind of
laughing scorn. "Did it ever occur to you, my