The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-05-16

and then Uncle Tom went home.
At three o'clock accordingly, up drove
Wallace, in a handsome sleigh, with two
strong bay horses. Hetty could not quite
conceal her surprise, at which Wallace
looked much puzzled, but only repeated
his invitation to 60 out riding.
Hetty gave startled glance at her
mother. That lady promptly spoke up.
Hetty cannot go out this afternoon"
Both the young folks countonances
fell, but Uncle Tom put in word:
"Oh, yes; let her go, Maria. should
like to CO. with them myself"
Very well, if you go, have no OBJ
ections," said Hetty's mother.
And Hetty said " dare say We can
make room for three"
And Wallace thus urged could not help
saying: "There are two seats in my
sleigh" though he did not look very we'll
pleased with the arrangement.
d" Put on your prettiest dress, whisper
ed Uncle Tom, as Hetty passed him,
going to dress; and Hetty wonderingly
yet willingly obeyed
When they drove off, Uncle Tom and
Hetty occupied the back seat, and Wal
lace the front, at which sister Maria look
ed well pleased.
But her expression would have changed
had she seen them just after they left the
town, for then Uncle Tom said:
"Mr. Curtis, l have fancy for trying
your team. can handle horse if am
city man. Please change seats, won't
you ?"
Wallace, nothing 10th, Immediately did
so, looking very much delighted with the
change 1t was astonishing to see how
deeply Uncle Tom instantly became alb
sorbed in those horses, and as for the
lovers, they really were so absorbed in
each other that they did not even notice
which way Uncle Tom was driving, until
he stopped at large white gate, leading
up snowy lane to a pretty farmhouse.
Then Hetty asked:
Why, Uncle Tom, where are you
goisg?"
Going to take you in here to see a
little place | bought to-day" answered
Uncle Tom springing ont and throwing
Curtis the lines to drive through the
gate.
Why, this is Preston's placep' ex-
claimed Wallace.
Twas. Its mine now. l bought it
to-day" replied Uncle Tom, with smile
And Wallace and Hetty both sighed,
and said nothing.
They saw fires blazing through the win
dows of the pretty farm house as they
drove up. Uncle Tom fastened the
horses, and led the party into a cosy,
bright parlor, through cheerful sitting
room, and out into great cheerful kitchen
where the kettle was humming away on
the Kissing stove, the tables spread for
supper, and smiling maid in readiness
to receive them 90. .....
"This is Mr., Curtis and his wife, Mol
lie" said Uncle Tom, at which the girl
courtesied prettily, and Wallace and Het-
ty blushed, while Hetty said
"Why, uncle !" .........
swell, if you are not, you soon will
be-" said Uncle Tom; for the parson
will be here in ten minutes. They are
determined up at home to make you mar
ry Squire Parker tomorrow, and the only
way l know of to prevent it is to have
you marry Wallace Curtis to-day. He
won't object I'll be bound" .,r.1 ....
"That ] won't spoke up Wallace.
And Hetty, through her crimson
bushes, made out to ask:
"But-is this really your place, Uncle
Tom 2"
"No; it's yours" said Uncle Tom,
smiling. - ....n.
"Ours| cried Hetty and Wallace, in
breath,
Yours. My Christmas present to
you" said Uncle Tom.
But thought-mother thought
you were not rich" stammered Hetty
Well l happen to be quite able to
afford this" laughed Uncle Tom "and,
if choose to make my money help two
young people to be happy, whose business
is it Come Hetty choose (! Wallace to-
day, or the fat old squire tomorrow
which is it?
"Oh, Wallace, certainly I" cried
Hetty r
And that young gentleman instantly
took her in his arms, and kissed her,
right before Uncle Tom.
"Come, come, now Here's the par
son 50 Wallace, we'll make it fast and
sure, in ten minutes more," said the good
old uncle
And so they did. And then Uncle Tom
and the parson stayed to supper with
them. and Mollv tho smiling maid