Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1861-03-22
aMr Talcott will not allow strangers to


cross here he says it's private property"
z 81 fancy I shall dare Mr.. TalcOtts wrath"
said the gentleman, laughing, as be pushed
open the wire CRATE that defended the forbid
den space. Its perfectly absurd to make
people go a quarter Of mile out Of their way
for mere whim."
They had scarcely entered the incloseure,
when an unlocked for obstacle presented itself
in the shape of the redoubtable Taleott himself,
who was prowliug over the grounds on the
qtti rire for trespasserS.
"Halloo, here p growled he; inst turn
back if you please. This isn't the public
thoroughfare."
The stranger held Jessie's arm under his
little tighter, as if to repress her evident in
clination to beat retreat. He was disposed
to maintain his position.
Il don't see any reasonable cause why we
shouldn't go ahead" he said, portiuacousy.-
There is path here, and l suppose it was
made TO walk in"
Not for you" said the agent contemptu-
ously, $50 go back as fast as you can"
rs it possible that people made to
travel circuitous and unpleasant route for
no other reason than your caprices ?" asked
the gentleman, looking down at the shriveled
little man, from the attitude of his six feet
with a kind of laughing scorn. Did it ever
occur to you, my friend, that others had rights
and conveniences, as well as yourself?"
Cant help their right-nothing to me"
snarled the agent, planting himself obs'inately
in the path Il forbid all passing here"
/ But | suppose Everard Hardwiche may
have the privilege Of crossing his own land p
persisted the stranger, still presenting the half
I contemptous smile that had from the begin
ming of the interview made tho agent so un-
! comfortable.
Talcott grew not exactly pale, but yellow
with CONSERVATION.
MIR Hardwiche-sir, 1 did not know-wc
did not expect"
mol know you didn't, my good man.
Be so kind as TO step aside, and allow me to
pass with the lady. Miss Jessie don't forget
that need your services few minutes yet
! When We reach the house will prolong my
visit to the cottage. Nay, don't shrink away
from me-are we not TO be very good friends?"
"The preliiest girl ever saw in my life, i"
was his internal comment, as he at length par
ted from her at the little gate, where burn
ing blushes" and dark green ivy were trained
together with all womans taste.
! The Christmas snow lay white and deep on
the farmhouse eaves-the Christmas logs
cracklcd on the hearth, where Mr.. Wood
bridge still gazed dreamingly into the glow
| ing cinllcrs, and Mrs Keturuh's knitting need
les clicked with electric speed.
"That mortgage bothers me-it bothcrs
me-" he murmered, almost Plaintiveiy.-
well. l s'pose it amt no use frettin'; but
| had always hoped to live and die on the place
/ where my father died before me. The Lords
will be done, though. Somehow, things hahn I
prospered with mel don't seem to get along"
You'd got along well enough, l guess. -
responded Keturah, who belonged superemi-
ncntly to the class Of people known as Jacobs
comforters, "if you'd only looked after your
p's and q's as told you. You always was
too freehanded, and now YOU see what it has
/ brought you to-
We'll, well, Kcturah, We never did think
alike on some things" returned the old man.
! Let US talk about pleasanter subject
/ What do you think about your school-mam' :
marrying young Hartwichc tomorrow p
Didn't / always tell you that Jessie Morcton
was born to be a lady 1 may be unlucky
myself, but, anyhow. I'm glad to hear Of little
Jessics luck"
You'd great deal better keep your sym
paihy for yourself" growled Keturah.-
Whats other folks luck 20 you, I'd like to
know? There's soEe one knocking at the
dOor-see who it is
1t was little note, brought by one of the
school boys, late under JcSsies care.
"Wheres my glasses: can't see as well
as l could once. Shove the candle this way
will you. Keturah." And fitting his brass
bowed spectacles upon his nose, the old man
unfold;d the note, and read in JesSie'S delicate
chirography
"no not let that mortgage disturb youl
Christmas day tomorrow. dear father Wood
bridge. 1t will never haunt your hearthstont
again Mr. Hardwiche will send you the pa
pers soon, to destroy. This is Jesse's Christ
mas present : l have not forgotten those gold
len pippins, nor all the other kindnesses."
"Ah wife," said the old man, smiling, ant
trying to brush away the big tears that woult
come, ''what Go you think of my investmen
now ?'
Keturah's reply was neither elegant MOI
strictly grammatical, but it was sigui6cent.-
+ She said simply:
"Well, never y