The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-03-01
MY BROTHERS. WIFE.


een, and at twenty-one was running the
Whately locomotive attached to the morn
ng train between Springfield and Bing
hamton. The rebellion broke out soon
after | was promoted to my present posi-
ton, which, though it was lucrative one,
could not induce me to refuse the offer of
y first lieutenant's commission in the
tenth regiment, which was being recruit
cd in our county. My brother, q ma
chinest and older than myself, determin-
cd to accompany me and accordingly en-
listed in my company, though l afterward
obtained him the position as first SER
geant. Well, | gave up my situation as
engineer and was soon in the land of cot
ton and hoe-cake. Our regiment was en-
camped near Fairfax for a long time, and
while there, my brother became smitten
with dark-eyed damsel at whose abiding
place he often tarried while on outpost
duty. He was a quiet sort Of a fellow,
my brother, and knew nothing Of what
was going ON until he informed me one
afternoon, that he was about to marry,
and gave me an account of his courtship
and the manner in which he had become
acquainted with his intended bride.
She was tall, dark and stately, one of
whom he knew comparatively nothing,
and so told him, but he smiled in his
calm determined way, and 1 knew how
useless would be any dissuading words Of
mine; and so the marriage took place at
the residence of the bride, only the fami-
ly and myself being present, the chaplain
of the regiment performing the ceremo-
ny. As soon as an opportunity offered,
she went to live with our father and
mother at Northampton. My father never
referred to her in his letters to me; but
/ knew from the tone Of those received
from my mother, that her new found
daughter was not all her heart could wish.
"She is naughty and cold," said one of
the letters, will not have my love though
[ try so hard to make her home happy"
When our term of service expired we
went home, my brother and /, fortunately
without q scratch. | at once resumed
my old post on the Whately and began
my regular trips | did not like my
brothers wife as grew to know her, for
there was imperious air Of reserve and
disdain about her that repelled at once
any advances of friendship on my part.
One day, late in autumn | received a
letter in an unknown hand, from Boston,
stating simply that business of vast i'm
portance to myself and mother necessita-
ted our immediate presence as the office
of Sharpe & Flint, attorneys in that city.
Of course we proceeded Immediately to
the hub of the universe" and found
the senior member Of the legal firm alone
in his office.
The object of the summons was quickly
made known. My uncle Gilbert, an &C.
centric old bachelor, had died, leaving to
us vast wealth, but nothing for my
brother, who had grievously offended him
in his boyhood; codicil however, provi-
ded that my share of the wealth should
fall to him at my decease, which was GER
tainly not likely to occur for some time to
come, for | was strong, robust and hardy
There was slight feeling Of pride in my
heart as | made known our good fortune
on our arrival home my mother was I'm
Gle Gilbert's only sister and | had been
his pet, in the days of my infancy. My
brothers wife betrayed not the slightest
emotion at the announcement Of our sud
den rise to afiluence, but her husband felt
it deeply and l secretly determined t.
give him one half Of my portion as soor
as | should possess it.
About fortnight after my return from
Boston | was transferred to the night ex
press, train which was run at grea
speed and with few stops. L had givel
notice to the company, that after the pres
ent month | should no longer be at thei
service, for intended to live easier thai
| had done | little knew of the DANCE
in store for me before the month shoul
pass away. That very night as we passe
highway crossing near Hatfield, | hear
the sharp report of a pistol, and bulle
crashed through the cab window, almos
grazing my head. We were running 8
lightning speed and the spot was ia
behind before fully realized what ha
happened.
C;no,,locI,y ono,,rb ~, A. ,,oI,,n,, -;