Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-12-03
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sAYED rRoM pIsGRAcE.
A Sleigh Ride Extraordinary and what
came of if.


A Sleigh Ride Extraordinary and what
! came of il.
Joseph Blenchford, with coat, hat and
gloves already on, heard the tinkle of the
sleigh bells, and arose to go down, but when
he reached the door, be felt a light touch
upon his arm, and heard the well known
voice Of his daughter
Pa, may | go?"
''But am only going to the bank, Grace.
After that, father. win go there and
wait for you. It will not take me FIVE min
utes to get ready.
"Well-well! Be spry, aud TN wait +"
said the old gentleman, quite merrily, ard
I'll give you such sleigh ride as you never
had before sleigh ride e.ctraordma7y.
You know I have the black before the cut
Ter.
So much the better, said Grace and
she ran away to dress, little dreaming how
well the promise would be kept.
John Normandy stood By the window
looking out upon the busy street, ever and
anon elancing at his watch, as though i'm
patient for the time to pass. And indeed
he was. He had no thoughts for what was
passing in the street below. He saw Joseph
Bienchford and bis daughter as they drove
up to the bank, but forgot them the mo
ment they passed from sight within the
entrance. He had weighty thoughts upon
bis mind, that could not be cast aside by any
ordinary occurrence.
He was somewhat about thirty years Of
age, tall. erect, digu76ed and very plain fea-
ture. He had battled with discouragements
and poverty until his very face bore marks
Of the terrible struggles, but he had con
quercd His motto had ever been, ''On-
ward and upward, and, never finching,
never giving way, he had at last become
cashier Of the bank at E., q position
both honorable and lucrative.
Only a twelyemonth had he held the po-
sition, but in that short time he had won
the confidence Of the officers of the bank,
the regard Of his fellow employees, and was
generally liked by those doing business with
him
Still be was unsociaL He lived life Of
his own. lie asked no companions-want-
ed none When the bank closed for the
day, he hurried away to his lodgings, and
was seen no more until the hour Of business
on the following day. Business was his
only pleasure. He talked little-worked
much, be was poor companion. but a true
friend.
He merely turned his head when the
president and his daughter entered the bank
and then went back to his thinking but
Blenebford seemed disposed to molest him
Day dreaming, Normandy
I have encountered so much reality that
there is but little Of the imaginary left, 4"
said be, turning toward them, half rclac-
tantly.
oh, ic Normandy. Not quito thirty,
l should judge, and settling down into an
older man than I sm. What are you think
ing about 1t must not be- Grace, can
you do anything to show this practical old
gentleman the error of his ways? I'll leave
you with him to try, while l devote few
moments to business
Don't forget the ride, father"
Never fear You shall have it,
Normandy was really vexed TO see the old
gentleman trot away, and Leave him to en-
tertain the peerless Grace Blenehiord.
Grace suspected it, and she led him a pretty
race Of words that brought the smile to his
face in spite Of himself, and provoked some
almost merry replies, that sounded strange
ly from his lips. When Blencbford re-
turned. he found them quite sociable. Nor
mandy, leaning over the desk, listening to
Grace merry talk, and occasionally put
ting in a word that showed how well be was
enjoying it.
''Thawing, by-smoke (" exclaimed
+ BleBehlord in surprise, but by manner
changed Immediately 'Grace, we must
postpone the ride Some very urgent busi-
ness keeps me here Wait Normandy can
can take my place "
Il should be pleased, said he.
Very good, Normandy and remember
that [ promised her ride such as she never
had before
A ride extraordinary, father.
Yes, yes; that was it. Do not disap-
point her
4 While Normandy was drawing on his
great coat, a gentleman stepped to his side
aud spoke to hin in a very low tone. Nor
mandy face blanched whittier than the
snow, but he recovered instantly.
Thank you, Ganson, for the proof Of
your friendship, but T have known it for
some hours Please let it rest where it is.
I if you can, and l win make it all right in
( the morning
With buoyancy Of manner that surprised
Grace, after what she had seen, he condact-
ed her to the sleigh, aud with a gallantry
little expected from one 50 practical, he
handed her in, arranging The robes about
her more skillfully than even her old fath-
er could have done. Then he took his seat
by her side, and off they went.
Through the crowded Streets through the
less crowded suburbs out into the quiet
country, Normandy all the while chatting
merrily. startling contrast to his real feel
ings But when once they were out Of he
great city, his manner changed entirely.