The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-10-18

the old gentleman was contemplating the
array of female beauties and charms with
which the village and vicinity abounded,
and wondering within himself, who would
make Frederick the best companion, poor
Rose never once entered his calculations
Now Uncle Philip was man of strange
notions and as wilful an old fellow, withal
as you may meet in twelvemonth. Some
how he took it into his head that the noble
old mansion of his fathers needed a star of
female beauty, to make it the sunny abode
of perfect happiness. The old bachelor
should have felt this necessity forty years
before He might have had complete
constellation of fair daughters around him.
in his old age
But uncle Philip could look out for others
much better than for himself. He was de-
termined to do the "right thing for Fred
erick Accordingly, one fine morning, he
said to his promising nephew:
"What a life this is, Fred p
Fred was thinking about Rose.
peaceful, happy, dear uncle"
peaceful ! happy?" echoed Uncle Phil
ip, making very bad face. 81 say, Fred,
look at me ~
"Iou are looking finely this morning,
uncle. Your countenance is smooth and
fresh as at sixteen! believe, uncle" said
Frederick, cit is urhabitual good humor,
and continual flow of benevolent feel
ings-''
"Bah say, look at me Haven't you
eyes?" demanded the old gentleman-
Don't you see how withered am, before
my time?'
"Withered, uncle?' repeated Frederick,
surveying the old bachelors goodly proper
tions, with merry twinkle in his eye
"Ill wager you weigh more to-day than
you ever did before in your life Two hun
dred, if you weigh pound.''
"Bloated, boy, bloated that's it 1 am
a miserable old fellow"
" Miserable yOu-"
All the consequence, you see, of living
an old bachelor" said Uncle Philip, trying
to look unusually grave. "You see how
bitterly l am repenting, don't you? Of
course you do and l advise you take warn
ing from my wretched fate.'
Frederick held his sides with laughter
Uncle Philip scowled.
SIT is no laughing matter, and l desire
you will be serious" SAID the old bachelor.
" Look you boy, have taken it into my
head, to marry you off,"
"Hor'
You needn't open your eyes so! It's
time you bettered your condition.
"Dear uncle" said Fred, 81 do not
know how l can. Living in the sunshine
of your bounty, l am perfectly contented."
" Are you? l am not though Look you
here-what comfort are you to me? What
do get for indulging you in laziness ?''
Frederick WINGED; Uncle Philip had
touched tender point.
"You are no comfort to me at all But
mean you shall be, if keep you. You
shall get married. You shall bring here q
lady young and handsome, that I can look
at sometimes, to take the edge off my teeth,
after enduring the sight of our cross house.
keeper! We want some one to make mu-
sic for us-some one to cheer this old house
with the melody of a sweet, silver voice
some one to make it light and bright with
the radiance of her smiles"
Fred laughed again, He had never
known his relative so eloquent and poetic
before.
"Now, what?" growled the old bach
elor.
You ha ha You are so romantic,
dear uncle ~
Romantic / don't know that was
ever so sensible i'll my life am in good
earnest, anyhow. / say, you shall get mar
ried ~
Fred smiled 4; thought of Rose. He gave
his uncle his hand, with just-as-lief-as not
sort of look, which changed, with re-