The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-01-05

house, when l became conscious of the
whole perfidy. | was close upon the tree
that brave old oak which had held SO
many secrets-when voices in another
| direction filled my soul with horror. They
were the voices of Samuel kowley, Esq
j. p, and Peter Stokes, my Mercury |
sank down In the long grass-,here was
rapid thaw that morning, and the damp
stuck to me at Once--and trembled for
my love. / was not an instant too soon;
their footsteps were upon me. Mr. Row
iey's right foot was nearly upon me a!so ;
he shaved my features by a hair IS breadth,
and passed on. The harsh tones of his
voice rang in my ears an instant aferward.
GU don't consider yourself an abom-
Unable scamp. | suppose" Mr.. Rowley
said, ''an unprinciped old vagabond, to
act as 60 between TO a silly school girl
and that idiot Of "a boy You never
thought OF the harm of encouraging this,
did you ?'
"Im VERY sorry, sir" whimpered
Peter.
"feaching my ward to be decei,ful for
The sake of a few sixpences, | suppose -
"ive never had a ha' penny, your hon
or, much more a sixpence.''
Neither had he They were generally
half crowns he was in tbs habit Of receiv-
ing fiom me.
~ on deserve to be kicked out of my
service, Stokes-drummed out Of The VIII
lage. for wicked old hypocrite ~
They was VERY fond Of each other,
sir, a;Id Miss Clara used to ask me so
beseeching and when / told her there
was harm in writing TO Master Huskisson
without her Gear gardewan's knowing
anything about it, she alters said it was
for the last time, sir-really."
''lf it was not for your age, Stokes, I'd
send you about your business this very
day"
I'm very sorry. SIR Stokes said
again, shedding many tears.
ais this the tree %
Eyes, sir, that's the tree
"And Ciara's last letter is up there
now, eh 2? In that hole? Now no more
lies =!
"Yes, sir, in tha. hole
''Itow on earth do you get at it :"
"Masier HuakiSson climbs up there, sir,
for his answers. Ill go up and fetch
down Miss Clara's letter in a mint
There was "a small epi5tle of his own
he wished to obtain as we'll. perhaps or
il was possible that his noble mind had
suggested some scheme TO save dear
Ciara's misSive from sacriligious eyes
Bot Mr. Rowley suspected this old serTi-
tor.
"Stop where you are, Stokes !'' re
roared forth ''i'l have no more of your
monkey tricks Give me back"
''Give you wot, sir 2"
':Bend your back, you rascal, and I'll
jump on it, and get the letter myself"
''Jump on il r. repeated Stokes, with
look of dismay at Mr. Rowley's portly
figure ait don't strike ms that can bear
your weight, master"
cit will be only for a minute, said Mr..
RowIey, quite b'utaliy "and if break
your back, it will serve you right enough.
I'm not an elephant, man, and will
have no more of this nonsense"
Mr. Stokes resisted no farther. He
made his back as if about to commence a
game at leap-frog with the justice OF the
peace aud with more agility than | had
! given Mr.. Rowley credit for, the guardian
was sloft, and within an inch Or two oi
our letter-bUx.
''Ob, lor shall you be long, sir 2
asked Mr.. Stokes, groaning softly 10 HIM
self
RAISE your shoulder, you rascal, 4
/ little more" cried his employer
Stokes did so, and from my hiding
| place | saw The hand CT Mr.. Rowley
/ strive, with some diificulty-lor it was d
/ fat, equity, hand, have already said-to
| force itself into that casket, which had
, contained So many Of dear Clara's epis-
ties Samuel Rowiey was an excitable
! man +; for he swore little in his efforts,
and turned very red, and moved his feet
rsstlessly upon poor Stokes back.
II have got it % lie cried at last
| "The ar;fui jade-the cunning, plotting
| little mink, TO serve her own guardian III
! this-Oh !"
"What's the matter, sir o.
s'Wait moment, Stokes-don't shake.
! Oh, Lord, have mercy upon usl Oh,
Canin IL ! On, GEAR, Wnal Is 10 De uohe
'Is anything partikler the matter. SIR
Not a hadder, | hope, or IA nest of sar-
pents, or anything? 60 And old Stokes
hid his head little more-tucked in his
tuppeny we called it at schooi-to con
ceal his laughing and sardonic counte-
nance.
''No, Stokes; it's something much
worse, I'm sorry to say
"Wuss, sir 2" said Stokes, who left of
laughing Immediately.
"Yes; II can't get my hand out y
''The devil you can't, sir cried
Stokes, in dismay.
''Ii's twisted somehow, or swollen, oil
the wood has gripped me. Wait mo-
ment, Stokes-Oh, it's all up with me