The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-06-07

the old lady, little sharply, 1 thought,
Gas you will see from my will. These dia-
monds were my husbands wedding-gift to
me. had them set in these lockets on
that account. They are to be buried with !
me eractly as they are."
Certainly-certainly - said the DOCTOR
hastily. "Any wish of yours, my dear
madam, is, as you must be aware, sacred to
us all"
But as I looked around, l saw some queer
glances exchanged and Mrs. Hurdle, a
pale, delicate, nervous woman, whispered
to Miss Arethusa:
"Isn't it shame? Real diamonds,
that cost ole Vail thousands of pounds, as
I've been told by my mother" And Miss
Arethusa, in reply, cast up her eyes and
shook her head dolefully.
That night the old lady died-very sud
denly, with only a gasp and a culver to
mark the last change; and before noon the
next day, and Miss Grace had decently
laid her out, and Miss Grace, with tears
falling quietly had crossed the poor wither-
ed hands, and placed in them few white
flowers which she gathered from her own
fiower-pots up stairs.
"Poor Aunt Abigail" p" she said, "a sad
and lonely lot was hers. trust that she is
now happy with the husband and children
whom she loved'
AS for the rest of them-Dr. Hurdle and
Mr. Simon, and young Captain Findley,
and Mr.. Podgers (Which last two had come
post-haste on hearing the news)-only come
: in once to see that all was right; and Miss
Arethusa just peeped in at the door will
Q her scented handkerchief to her face
whilst Mrs. Hurdle kept away altogether
G because she said her nerves were so delicate
u that she couldn't bear the sight of corpse
Well, they had decided to have the bu
. riable on the day following and that nigh
> l, and Miss Grace, and Mr.. Simon wer
u to take turns in watching the corpse, whicl
5 was laid in coffin the lid being alread
Il screwed down. By the old lady's owl
v desire, the funeral was to be very quie
y and plain one only we and the servants
'e and a few invited neighbors attending.
Miss Grace had the first watch, and the
at ten o'clock it came to my turn. Fo
- two hours l sat there watching alone besid
" the closed coffin, for I didn't care to hav
any one with me, and then at twelve Nj
Simon came in and whispered that l migl
now retire, and he would watch till day
IT. break | asked, "Would he have som
= one with him?" but he answered, "No
d so / went out, closing the door softly b.
- hind me, and left him there alone.
=, felt very tired with the exertions
- the day, and so thirsty that | thought
would go to the kitchen and get cup
~ tea before retiring. There l found Il
80 cook sitting up with two or three frient
10 who had dropped in to keep her company
re- "Such doing ~ exclaimed she, as I ma,
- my appearance. "There they all be I
1st stairs in the dining-room, a eating and
for drinking of poor missus' best, as if 'tw
more feast than funeral. and she II
NV yet in her grave. I've heen kept brill
to chickens and maxim welsh rabbits for 'el
he and that 'ere Capt'n Findley's tell
his jokes about his regiment, an settin' 'em
yht lafin' and the DOCTORS moren half tip
on missus' old madeiry; and if you
to b'lieve me, Miss 'Thusa and bald-heade
ces red-faced Podgers are a couItin' on t
M sofy behind the understandings ST
1.n doings no Christian ever seen before 4
,ed only well-behavcd amongst 'em is M
an Grace, which is gone to bed, as she oug
to, and Mr.. Simon, which has looked S
,ly. emn and oneasy all the time. o, my pc
hat old missus!"
of When, having taken my cup of tea,
peeped in at the dining-room door, fou
said it just as the cook had said. They had
me, taken late supper, and were still, at III
any past twelve lingering over the table;
ON ladies being still there because Mrs. HUI
was afraid to retire without her husba
lied and Miss Arethusa wouldn't go up ST.