Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-01-13
THE RIVAL LOVERS.

NV faCler was bOWeEf StOfc keefef
rretty we'll to do; be employed two clerks
they lived with US, in the stone building.
Our two young men were named Jane.
Scott and Henry Schoolcraft Father tool
a great teal Of pride in them both. because
they had come TO him when they wert
very young, and he taught them all they
knew.
Last year henry was twenty-five year
cid and James was twenty-oI1e. wa'
eighteen and-well, il wonld be very fool
ish nonsense setting out to tell this story
70 pretend at being too shy to say that
both % the clerks were in love with me
and hSi been for some time before, rs
was almost certain after we began to tail
about il at all.
| liked them both and il has Otter
puzzled me to know exactly how | die
make up my mind that preferred james
It's hard to say il makes the thing any
more clear that there was n certain some
thing | couldn't for my life tell even Il
myself, that made me ike Jimmy Scott 81
much better than did Henry. | suppos'
all young women who love, talk to them
selves much the same way; but | couldnA
make up nv mind that it made this differ
ence in my case. that father very mucl
preferred Henry.
1t would be hard to tell which of my
two lovers was most devoted TO me-thai
is, as far as attentions 90 that young cir
likes TO receive. They hadn't much money
to spend, 10 be sure, ON their small salarie!
and if they had, father and Aunt Hetty
had some very strict notions and wouldn't
have let it be spent on presents and thea
tire tickets and drives for me, because, a
aunt often said, girls never knew what
might happen, and it was hard TO fee
obliged TO persons we might come TO dis
liking. Little kindnesses that didn't cost
mnch in money they offered me constantly
and with satisfaction 10 themselves and
me, for they knew how father felt about
such matters-but | had, truth to say, my
own thoughts about who took most real
pleasure in my pleaSure-whetber these
were made good or not you shall see.
One day in the fall Of last year-it's not
worth while to tell you how the thing
grew from time to time, how father and
James, then father and |. had our long
serious talks, and how James and were
with his consent engaged, but with pro-
mise not to marry yet awhile. We did dnot
know indeed when, probably not until
father approved. James salary was hardly
large enough, truly, for him to take a-Tife,
economically brought up as | had been,
then. Father might increase it if we be-
hayed well TO him we were sure. he would
though he did not say so yet
To go back to Henry for a little. had
never liked him rs much all this while
we'd known one another as did after |
discarded him. He was disappointed, and
he showed t greatly, but he wished James
and me much happiness in very friendly,
honest-seeming way, and we both felt
something sorry for him. That is q very
cold way to express all that was said and
felt on the occasion Indeed. for some
weeks subsequently my plighted husband
was often found saying that, intimate as he
and Henry had always been the bear
ing of the latter, had been even more
brotherly Qf late than ever before, which.
he said, argued SO manly spirit that he
felt IN his admission Of Henry as If he
would go almost any length to serve
him.
A few weeks SUBJ tuently to James
and my engagement, ] said this was going
on. 1t wasn't more than SIX, think, when
! observed that father was looking exceed-
ingly troubled one evening. This had been
the case several days, indeed-quitea week
at least, | think; but the night speak of
u was 10 apparent as to depress us all in
the family circle, which was felt, though
nobody said anything about it.
After supper the two young men went
of as usual to right up books, bills and
accounts, and to set the store In order for
the coming day. Presently, Aunt Hetty
took = her bit Observing and went away.
! SUPP we'd TO her room, but this was some-
thing unusal at such an early hour. and I
prepared to follow her, just out of child
ish curiosity, suppose.
Father said, Esther. stop here. / want
to speak to you.n And did stop and take
my seat again. As aunt went away, saw
now surely that something was the mat
tor | could not tell what.
Esther" he went on, very soIemnly,
and in way that chilled nv blood. for
father was very plain of speech always !;
my money goes wrong out Of the store
some way, and needn't say some way
either, for, in spite of ali the charity try
TO have for my fellowman, I'm obliged to
believe that James Scott is the thiefr'
l jumped to my feet quicker than can
tell you, stung by the very thought that
the man | had set all my love on could be
accused of robbing my good father, who,
though very strict and something exact
ing. too, never defrauded a man out of
fraction in his life, and trusted both these
" boys" as he called them, with every cent
he was worth.
That James could be guilty. of such
heartless villiany secuted the very sus-
picion, and told my father 80. I, who had
all my life been child, his little girl in
my own thouShts as in his. now grew to
be woman in this sudden impulse of
mingled grief and indignation. asked
who informed him, and declared, of course
unreasonably, that / would 90 to his in
formant and tell him to his teeth that he
told wicked untruth.
at cannot be, my child,n my father
said; "the sums that have been missing
from time to time amount now 10 near a