The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-06-18
"He ought to be-" said Middleton heart

"Didn't tell youP" asked the other
triumphantly. "And that amt half. She
hires girl to wait on her mother, and she
sent the younger children to school--she
never had a chance for schoolin' herself
and then-You sec that boy back there
with her?"
eyes, noticed him."
"Well, that's her brother John; all the
boy the deacon ever had. He's seventeen,
and smart. Lymp's putting him through
college, going to make q doctor of him,
she says"
"She is a noble girl" .n f
"Well, she's got the grit. You can't
discourage her. She's bound to laugh right
through things; and that kind always have
good luck. Not proud neither, though she's
got money in the bank, and can afford to
have nice things now. Some difference"
he continued proudly, with backward
gesture, "between that velvet cloak and
the day took her to the Falls with only
one dress. All bought with her own earn
ings too"
Middleton did not smile; he felt rebuked.
Even the velvet cloak and dress hat in the
stage-coach became respectable to him in
connection with that cheerful, courageous,
unselfish spirit. II the girl had pleasure
in these things, why should she not enjoy
themP The driver went on, lowering his
his voice to a tone still more confiden-
tial:
"They say-I don't know how true 'tis-
that Squire Danvers is kind O. hankerin'
round Lymp. He's a widower, well off,
and got nice place. But Lymp don't take
a shine to him. She told my wife she
didn't fancy secondhand goods no way.
She reckoned matrimony..was best fresh;
she'd rather not take her'n warmed
over"
Middleton's laugh was almost as hearty
as that which had so annoyed him. But
the drivers gossip was here interrupted.
The coach stopped to let off the four log
drivers, and Middleton gladly availed him
self of the seat they vacated, it being more
sheltered from the cold wind than the high
one he had been occupying. This movement
brought him face to face with the owner of
the laAgh, and he could not help surveying
her with glance of curiosity. He had
heard of the.genius factory-girl, but perhaps
had never before been knowingly in COM
pany with specimen. There was nothing
rude in his look; and the girl observing, re-
turned it with a steady, unabashed gaze in
which there was no shadow of boldness. 1t
was more as one man regards another; and
Harvey's eye was the first to fall.
The road was in frightful condition.
Sometimes the wheels ON one side sank to
the hubs in soft mud, while those on the
other were tilted up on snow-drift. The
jolts and lurches were as painful as alarm
ing, and Harvey in his weak state could
hardly endure them. He leaned back and
closed his eyes, but the deadly pallor of his
face betrayed his suffering. In moment
a pleasant voice addressed him. 1t was the
factory-girl, who said, ...,
"You do not seem well, Sir. Perhaps it
is disagreeable to you to ride backward.
You are welcome to my seat, if you like to
change" tasH ah.1 RI
"You are very kind" said Middleton,
surprised. "The seat is very well, I be-
lieve; only l have been Ill, and the road is
rough" rt 1in mo
"Why, 1t is dreadful for sick person.
Pray take this thick shawl of mine. / am
sure you could make yourself more comfort
able with it,"
"Thank you very much; but would
rather not deprive you Of it,"
az do not need it, Sir; my cloak is very
warm; and you can make yourself a pillow
Of it. Please take it," and she leaned for
ward and arranged the shawl herself in a
manner so comfortable as to be its own rec
ommendation. He had not energy to re-
monstrate further, but leaned back and
again closed his eyes, thinking the while
how very handsome hers were, and what
gentle touch she had. ot5.a
He lay thus for some time, paying little
heed to anything; but after while his at
tention was attracted by those in front of
him. Tho woman with the baby was quest
ioning Miss Tucker concerning Lowell and
its factories. She had timid, nervous man
ner, and spoke softly, as If frightened at
the sound of her own voice.. She had been
pretty once, but now her face had weary,
hopeless look, which touched Middleton's
sympathies. Miss Tucker answered her
questions with ready good nature, soon