Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-11-22
VOLUME XVII.

| my son JOnn. a Deauty-anQ such nOta-
bic domestic little body-and every cent
old Spice calls his own will be hers some
day. | want you to go down and see herr
John laughed.
| Perhaps she's engaged to somebody
else" he said. People seldom leave such
tempting fruit on the bough long-no doubt
she's appropriated"
She's only eighteen |" said Mr. Morton,
" and-ahem happen to know she's not
engaged had talk with the old gen.
tleman. He wants to see her married, but
she don't fancy any one. She has notion
you see, that the young men are thinking
of her money, and declares she will die an
old maid Between you and me, Spice ex-
poets you down"
" And the young lady 2"
Oh she don't know word about it,
not one, | assure you. You will go, won't
you p
John yawned.
" | don't mind running down that way"
he said, ' but really can't promise to ad-
mire, you know"
" But you will without promising" said
the old gentleman. d" You can't help it.
I've some business for you to make an ex-
cuse of couple of horses old Spice wants
to sell, which are just thing for you. And
he is hosptable old fellow, who will
make You stay week if you once get
there. Go up tomorrow and fall in love
with Miss Spice, you rascal"
The rascal laughed He had his own
opinion about the probable beauty of Miss
Spice, knowing that a fortune is apt to
ollnd old eyes to many deficiencies, but
there was a SAVIOR of romance in his search
for . wife that pleased him after all, and
he determined to enjoy it to the full.
Consequently, on the following morning,
he started, with his valise we'll packed, his
dressing-case fitted up in exquisite style,
and secret determination to flirt with
Miss Spice if she was in the least attrac-
tive. As for any serious design of WOO
ing and wedding, nothing was farther from
John Morton's thoughts.
When the train had screamed and whis-
tied over the necessary number of miles,
1t STEPPED according to CUSTOM at the lit
tie depot of D, and there, with others,
the traveller alighted, amidst whirl of
country dust, betook himself to that por-
tlon OF the village wherein the residence of
the Spices must be located were his direc-
tions right.
He found it, at last A rather preten-
tious mansion, built on rising ground,
with stone steps leading to the garden,
wherein white fountain kept guard over
| sundry geOmetrical beds of flowers. Ev-
erything about it was trim and neat, and
delightfully."- cool
To one of John Morton's rather indolent
disposition the shady colonnade and the
rural seats under the great elms behind the
house, had wondrous charm. 1t would
be glorious place to live in, he thought
especially were one rich, and able to for
get all tormenting business details, and
fortune-making, and other bores of the
kind, and lounge all day with book and
a Havana under those trees. wonder
whether Miss Spice appreciates her resi-
dence"
As he thought thus, John Morton coolly
sauntered, valise in hand, up the broad
gravel path, and raped in his own care
less fashion at the door. No one answered
the first time, and a second application on
ly brought out white poodle with pink
ribbon at his neck who barked with puny
fury at the stranger but on a third trial,
the door opened suddenly, and there stood
before him pretty girl in pink calico, with
white apron on, and her sleeves pinned |
up exhibiting the plumpest arms in the
world, with dimples at the wrists and ell
bows. In one hand she held a dusting
brush in the other a dust-pan, and keeping
both tidily away from her dress, she seem
ed to await for his inquiry. 1t came prompt
ly:
" Is Mr. Spice in 2"
Dear me, no sir" replied the girl "The
family are all away--called very unexpec-
tedly to see a sick relative. But beg. |
your pardon--are you Mr. Morton?"
THAT'S my name," said the young man
ooh, in that case, Mr. Spice left word
you came you would obige him by staying
until his return Martin, the coachman,
could show you the horses, he said, and we
were to make you comfortable"
Will you walk in, sir 2"
John Morton hesitated moment, and
then crossed the threshold. The girl push
ed open the parlor door and ushered him
in.
John shall show you to your room," she |
said, and | will have a lunch for you when |
you come down, Mr. Morton People gen.
orally find an excellent appetite after a
journey"
And away she ran humming tune, and |
leaving JOhn Morton to remember her |
smiles and dimples and pleasant voice.
If Miss Spice is not a very pretty girl,
she must be jealous of this little creature"
he said to himself What eyes and snow
white teeth | wonder who she is ?"
An hour after, when fresh from his toilet |
he took his place at the tempting lunch ta-
BILE, he had a chance to ask the question
" Excuse me, he said, as he took cup |
of tea from her hand, "but what shall | |
call you ?"
"Oh, am only Hetty," said the girl
Hetty?"
Yes, sir. don't call myself servant,
for they don't pay me any wages but the
old gentleman and lady give me my board
and clothes, and make myself generally
useful I'm quite one of the family. Do |
| help yourself, Mr.. Morton"
Thank you, Hetty )" and he took a
sandwich In a moment he began again
MIR. Spice has daughter hasn't he"
Oh, yes. sir"
Very handsome, I've heard ?"
Handsome oh dear, no, not in the lie asst
handsome"