The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-07-05

did was well done. Many a smart far
mer's son, who came as suitor to the
mistress, made desperate effort to am.
end the hopelessness of the case by fall
ing in love with the maid, only to find
out that his fate was the same in either
quarter. Martha Field had already
disposed of the little beating heart that
lay beneath her trim, well-ftting bodice.
She had given it, subject to certain con.
ditions, into the keeping of David Bige.
low, smart and promising carpenter,
who, by some special art lurking under
his tongue, had managed to secure the
little girl to himself in the face
of the most startling opposition
Under these circumstances there can be
no wonder that Martha should be given
to reading romances, and sympathizing
generally with lovers, and particularly
those in distress. There were some
who said that when Martha Field mar
ried, John Gordon would come down
warm" with triHe for the couple to
start with. But those who knew the
landlord better declared that as long as
life was in John Gordon's body he would
not part with pound of all he had so
carefully boarded, and now as strictly
watched. In proof Of this they pointed
to Lefty and Martha, upon whom he
never lavished penny, putting of their
desires for showy dress, so inherent in
the sex, BY telling them that their faces
would make their fortunes without rib.
bons and silk.
This was John Gordon's household,
save only Aunt Judy. who reigned su.
preme in the kitchen department. One
bright day in June when the leaves fut.
tered With more than ordinary gladness,
and the sun glanced over the waters of
the river, lending its light to the clear,
gravelly bottom I'LL 1t showed the lazy
fish in their very homes, the Paterson
stage ratified through the village and
dropped one passenger at" The Village
Tavern" He was tall, dark complex.
ioned man, somewhere about thirty,
with quiet, assured manner, that told
the crowd of idlers who stood always
ready to stare at the stage passengers, if
they were capable of receiving any i'm
preston, that the new conner was not
one easily stared down, and we'll accus.
toned to all the attentions that could be
thrust upon him.
He told John Gordon, who stood rea-
DIP to receive him, that his name was
Philip Conger, and his intention was to
spend week with him, and try his hand
at the fish. John was pleased at the
announcement, and told his guest SO =
more pleased as he noticed that the
young mans luggage bespoke that mon
ey was plentiful /; and still more pleased
when he found that his liberal orders did
full justice to his looks. Philip Conger
fshed until the venerable old trout and
pickerel trembled in their Watery BEDS
He shot with such success that he awak
ened the jealousy of the stereotypeG
sportsmen of the place. He walked, he
rode, and drove, and SO the week passed
away, and yet he remained a guest Of
"The Village Tavern"
Another week, and Philip Conger was
still there but he no longer fshed, nc
longer hunted, his walks and rides were
shorter, and the house had more attrac
ton. In few words, he had seen Let
ty Gordon, and spoke with her, and from
that moment all things that carried hin
away from where he could feel that she
was near had lost their charm. AnC
stranger still than this, Lefty, who hat
been SO invisible to all other eyes, nov
wen: fitting uneasily about the house
If Philip sat upon the settee, there wer'
large chances but he would sec he
within an hour. If he walked roaming
ly about the garden, Lefty had a bOque
to make up, some berries to pick, o
something to do which he always cOul'
take hand in. Those about the vii
lage who always see everything toic
John Gordon occasionally that Lett,
was at that moment under the charge O
the stranger, being padded lsisurel
along the shore in the skiff, or had bee
seen at some past tiAe walking with tn
! stranger in some near lane, or sitting i
some half secluded spot earnestly tall