The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-11-21

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exceedingly spare, and very prim in her
ways. Though she did not recognize me-
remember perfectly having been intro
duced to her one occasion as Miss Charity
Billings. She was the very picture Of a
prim, methodical old maid, and professed
to have very low opinion of all mankind
possibly because they had proved so blind
to her varied attractions. confess / was
surprised to see Miss Charity in such place
as had supposed that the pomp and van
tiles of this world, including Of course filthy
lucre, were as nothing in her sight. How
ever, appearances are deceitful.
"Your number, maam ?' inquired the
clerk.
"Five thousand six hundred and seventy
three, primly pronounced Miss Charity.
The clerk consulted his list. When he
looked up, his face violently struggled to
retain its gravity.
"You have drawn, ma'am," said he,
can elegant rosewood-cradle ~
Miss Charity's face turned all colors and
her embarrassment was considerably in
creased by suppressed laugh, which her
quick ears did not fail to catch.
"Where shall send it 9' inquired the
clerk.
Miss Charity looked undecided but for
tunately person with Speculation in his
eye," stepped up and offered to take it off
her hands at reasonable rate Miss ill
ings at once recovered her composure, and
prepared herself for making the most Of
her prize, which she eventually sold.
"No. 1868 p repeated / taking my
place at the counter, after Miss Billings
had been fairly disposed of. ,I
The clerk, after brief examination,
seized my hand with warmth.
"Sir, congratulate you p he exclaimed,
"You are the fortunate winner of our first
prize"
l went home on my head or my heels
am not quite sure which-not, however,
until | had ascertained that the name of
the young lady whose hand had won was
Ethelinda Blackstone, and that she lived
in Coventry, town in Western New
York.
When sober second thought came to my
assistance, could not help regretting the
enviablc possessor of twenty-thousand dol
lars. reflected with sinking heart,
that the lady might be as ugly asa Gorgon,
in which case, she would, of course, insist
on my performing my part of the contract.
at once petitioned Messrs. Haberdasher
81 Co.. for months vacation, merely al
leging that important business called me
away. / could not help blushing when /
profrered the request, which led to meaning
looks being exchanged by the other clerks.
None of them however, were in my Sc
cret.
One pleasant morning in October, found
myself in Oswego, purchasing ticket by
stage to Coventry, which, as was told, was
distant some twenty miles from that flour
ishing city. The stage went farther, but
Coventry was one of the places on the
route.
Opposite me in the stage, sat rosy
ance. She was somewhat demure withal
and only cast stolen glances at me, which
pretended not to see, while !, in turn, look
ed at her, and when our eyes CHANGED to
meet, they were instantly withdrawn. All
this was very foolish of course, but allege
in my own defence, that my opposite neigh
Dor, besides being decidedly pretty, was the
only presentable-looking female in .he
coach. Close beside her was spinster of
thirty-fve or thereabouts, with II pursed-up
: mouth, and two sectians of yellowish hair
, plastered to each cheek. Her nose was
J long and thin, while she herself was lank-
ness personified. Add to this pair of blue
} spectacles, and you will readily imagine
that the beauty of the girl beside her was
heightened by the contrast.
There appeared however, to be some ac-
quaintance between them, as I observed the
young lady speaking familiarly with hei
less prepossessing companion.
The road over which we were riding
was rough and hubby. In parts it incline
to one side, SO that one part OF the coacl
was lifted higher than the other On one
Of these occasions the inequality was farth
: er increased by the wheel at the upper enc
: passing a stone. The jolt was such that
the passengers were violently precipitatet
] TO one side, and |, much to my surprise
: but not at all TO my displeasure, found m!
y pretty ncighbor opposite, seated in my lap
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