The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-09-05


few bruises and good shaking up. 9th
ers were not so fortunate, and many har-
rowing sights met my gaze as surveyed
the scene of disaster. Let me omit the de-
tails-I have no taste for horrors.
Two of the cars--the rear ones-by some
defect in the rail, had been thrown from the
track. The one in which ! was had been
pretty well smashed up the other, which
had remained beside the track, and had
not been thrown down the embankment,
was not seriously damaged. Cries of alarm,
amongst which / recognized female voices
proceeded from it. hastened to the assis-
tance of the inmates l clambered up the
steps, and forced open the door, which had
got wedged together some way, and handed
ont the affrighted women and children
The last lady that came gave a glad
start of surprise as assisted her out,
and my astonishment was 80 great that !
nearly dropped her. She was Edith Nones.
/ could but think it a singular circum-
stance that she, who had occupied such a
prominent place in my thoughts during
the journey, should, have been upon the
train unknown to me.
"Why, Mr.. VcVeigh," she exclaimed,
ais it you2"
AS could not deny it, l did not attempt
to. Indeed I never was at such loss for
words in my life.
"What in the world brings you here ?"
she continued, as remained silent, trying
to think what plausible motive I could in.
ventfor my journey.
stammered out something about having
a strong curiosity to visit the coal regions
and inspect their wonders. She gave me
an arch glance out Of her soft, dove-like
eyes, and had strong suspicion that she
more than half suspected the truth. I
blushed to my very temples, and attempted
to turn tho conversation by speaking Of the
frequency of railroad accidents at the time.
"If you are merely sightseeing among
our hills" began Edith, when we, were
once more on our way, II trust you will not
refuse to make my sisters house your stop
ping-place while you remain. need
scarcely assure you that any friend Of mine
will be made welcome.' ~ ~ f,..s
"If you count me among your friends
already" returned, 81 shall most GER
tainly accept your kind invitation" 90
The rich blood glowed ruddily in her
cheeks, and she turned away her head un-
der pretence of looking out of the car win
dow but she did not appear to be dis
pleased, which I took as encouraging.
certainly was very far gone, and I could
not help showing it. ~ sid lnf
l "You win find my sister very amiable,"
she said, after a slight pause, rcsuming the
conversation "and Mr.. Briscoe, her hus-
band, is most genial gentleman. 1t was
a love-match between them, and though
they have been married six years, they are
more like pair Of lovers now than mar
ried couple" Gn
Have they any ohildrenp' asked, casually.
"No they have lost two-and that seems
to draw them nearer to each other" re-
ponded Edith. 7,I
a. Ira Brfscoe was quite poor man when
Hernina married him." Edith went ON
with charming confidence, "and our folks
thought it rather poor match for her,
thinking, with her money, she might have
looked higher, and found some ono better
than a handwriting overseer OF a coal
mine but she had known him from boy
he was her hearts choice, and as she was
her own mistress, no one could gainsay her.
The marriage was the making Of him, and
he is not ashamed to own it. I have often
heard him say he owed all to his wife,.
They say now he is worth hundred thous-
and dollars and he has paid Hermina back
what she advanced, and her property is all
In her own name.n 6431n lb.N
I conceived a great admiration for this
Mr.. Ira Briscoe, and was anxious to make
his acquaintance. / like these men who
carve out their own fortunes. aa' aaf
"Mr. Briscoe comes Of q hard-working
race, presume P'' observed. -
Perhaps he does" returned Edith,
"but he seems to be the only one Of the
race who has inherited the family virtue"
"How sop" I asked, in surprise. .'Eas
he relatiycs?' L.''Y
"One only, brother--an elder brother
the pet OF too indulgent parents.
"Does ho live In Scranton ?'' / asked,
feeling quite interested in this family histo-
ry bs +. IN. ' !, ~
80, nj he lives in New York city. He
is stock broker,or something OF that sort.
Always dresses well and lives in good style.
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