The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-03-14

was romantic, if you WILL but grand l
thought so. The idea was from Millais'
picture, which we both carefully studied I;
and if Peter had not generally deposited
his small notes to myself, at the same time
asking my "kind considerashun as q
gentleman born with a warm heart, to an
affecting kase in the parissh," the romantic
would have been pure and unalloyed.
Clara defied the obdurate guardian for
two months it was February when Selma
Muggins betrayed us. I was advancing in
an innocent and unsuspecting manner to
the secret postoffice in the wood, half
mile from Mr. Rowley's house, when be-
came conscious Of the whole perfidy. I
was close upon the tree,-that brave old
oak which had held so many Secrets
when voices in another direction filed my
soul.
They were the voices of Samuel Rowley,
Esq, ]. p, and Peter Stokes, my Murcury.
sank down in the long grass, there was
rapid thaw that morning, and the damp
struck me at once,-I and trembled for my
love. was not an instant too soon their
footsteps were upon me, also; he shaved
my features by hairs breadth, and passed
on. The harsh tones of his voice rang in
my ears an instant afterward.
"You don't consider yourself an abomi-
nable scamp, suppose" Mr.. Rowley said,
Gan unprincipled old vagabond, to act as
a go-between to a silly school girl and that
idiot Of boy? You never thought of the
harm Of encouraging this, did you?"
"Pm VERY sorry, sir" whimpered Pc
ter.
"feaching my ward to be deceitful, for
the sake of few sixpenses, suppose"
"Pve never had ha'penny, your honor,
much more q sixpence."
Neither had he. They were generally
half crowns he was in the habit of receiv-
ing from me.
"You deserve to be kicked out of my
service, Stokes-drummed out of the vii
lage, for wicked old hypocrite ~
"They were very fond of each other sir,
and Miss Clara used to ask me so beseech-
ing and when / told her there was harm
in writing to Master Huskisson withouther
dear gardewan's knowing anything about
it, she alters said it was for the last time,
sir-really.
eff it was not for your age, Stokes, I'd
send you about your business this very
day."
81 very sorry, sir" Stokes said again,
shedding many tears.
"Is this the tree?"
eyes, sir that's the tree.'
"And Clara's last letter is up there now,
eh? In that hole? Now, no more lies ?"
eyes, sir, in that hole"
"How on earth do you get at it ?'
"Master Huskisson climbs up there, sir,
for his answer. I'll 60 up and fetch down
Miss Clara's letter in minute"
There was small epistle of his own he
wished to obtain as well, perhaps, or it was
possible that his noble mind had suggested
some scheme to save dear Clara's missive
from sacrilegious eyes. But Mr.. Rowley
suspected this old servitor.
"Stop where you are, Stokes p he roar
ed forth "I'll have no more of your mon
key tricks. Give me a back"
Give you wot, sir?'
"Bend your back, you rascal, and I'll
jump on it and get the letter myself"
"Jump on it ?" repeated Stokes, with
look of dismay at Mr.. Rowleys portly fig
ure cit don't strike me that l can bear
your weight, master"
1T will be only for minute" said Mr..
Rowley quite brutally and if break your
back, it will serve you right enough. Pm
not an elephant, man, and will have no
more of this nonsense"
Mr.. Stokes resisted no further He bent
his back, as if about to commence game
of leapfrog with a justice of the peace
and with more agility than had given Mr..
Rowley credit for, the guardian was aloft,
and within an inch or two of our letter-box
go, lor shall you be long, sir ?" asked
Mr.. Stokes, groaning softly to himself.
"Raise your shoulder, you rascal, little
more" cried his employer,
Stokes did so an from my hiding place
l saw the hand of Mr.. Rowley strive with
some difficulty-for it was fat, equity
hand, / have already said-to force itself
into that casket which had contained SO
many of my dear Clara's epistes. Sam
uel Rowley was an excitable man; but he
swore little in his efforts, and turned very
red, and moved his feet restlcssly upon
poor Stokes back.
81 have got it !" he cried at last. "The