The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-09-24

| paned windows were set in deep embrasures
showing the ponderous thickness of the
walls huge oaken beams traversed the low
ceiling, and the room was wainscotted with
pannelled oak. II was hung with very old
portraits of members of the Belden family,
including two or three from the hand of
Copley. There was grim old bearded
puritan in iron casque and cuirass, leaning
ON ponderous sword the counterfeit pre-
sentiment of one of Cromwell's godly fol-
lowers who had helped to smite the troopers
of the "man Charles" at Marston Moor
There was an immediate ancestor of the
present head of the family in the squire
archal costume of his day--a powdered
bag-wig, rufiles and rapier with sword knot
with silk brocade waistcoat, and claret
colored velvet coat with gold buttons, and
brilliant knee-buckles, represented in the
act Of taking pinch of rappee from an
historical snuff-box-a sublime and touch
ing achievement. There were several
awfully fancy shepherdesses in powder and
brocade, settled on very uncomfortable re-
doubts Of turf, guarded by belligerent
spaniels of the warlike breed of King
Charles and all these gentlemen and ladies
stared very intently at the carpenter, as If
they wanted to know how in the deuce
plebeian in green baize jacket dared in
trude upon the privacy of the state chamber
Of the old ancestral mansion, and why he
was taking liberties with the floor that had
been trodden by the armed heels of puritan
warriors, and the dainty slippers of colonial
bellies. But our friend, who was not the
sort of man to be daunted by the eyes of
the living, cared nothing for the imperti-
nent glances of these shadows of the dead.
Itwas hard work to extract tn e ponder
GUS nails profusely employed in fastening
the old oaken planks, and the drops Of per-
spiration stood on the brow of the mechan-
ic. When he raised the flooring, he dis
turbed the venerable dust of years. AS he
lifted with difficulty particular plank, he
perceived dull metallic glimmer in some
object shrouded in dust and cobwebs, which
attracted his attention. He raised it. 1t
was large purse of silk net filed with
guineas of the coinage of George the eds
reign.
His first impulse was to summon Mr..
Belden, and communicate the discovery.
His second, to conceal it in the breast pock-
ct of his jacket. AS he stood moment,
irresolute, glancing quietly around the
apartment, his fancy impaired strange
life and expression to the portraits on the
wall. The eyes of the old puritan seemed
to flash vengeance from beneath the shad-
ow of his iron head-piece. The fine gen.
tleman with the snuff-box seemed to regard
him with infinite contempt and loathing.-
And for moment he thought that the lit
tie King Charles's spaniels were about to
bark at the robber. But this fancy passed.
He smiled at the absurdity of his no
tions and resumed his work. Before din
ner-time he had completed his task, and he
gathered up his tools and left the house.
Under ordinary circumstances he would
have waited on Mr.. Belden before leaving
but now, with stolen treasure concealed
in his breast be felt as If he could not face
the mild eye of the squire. He was cross
ing the lawn, however, when he heard the
squire calling him.
He halted and turned back trembling
and confused. ss
"When will you finish that job Sum-
mers ?" asked the squire.
81 have finished il, sir,''
$50 soon? You have worked hard-too
hard, my friend. You seem quite exhaust
ed. Won't you stop and take dinner with
us?" lniHtHh
"No, thank you," replied Summers
81 have got another job that must be done
directly"
This was falsehood-his first falsehood;
for up to this time Gilbert Summers had
been the soul Of truth.
"Very well If that is the case," said
the squire, gravely, ~ will not detain you.
You have got to work your way in life, and
you must attend strictly to your business.
Diligence and honesty will carry you
through"
Summers thought the squire laid strong
emphasis on the word honesty" as If i'm
plying suspicion, and he hated him for it.
He paused moment and mechanically
grappled the handle Of his heavy hammer.
He would have struck the old m an, but he
controlled himself and hastened home.
He ate no dinner that day, but shut him
self up and examined the contents Of the
purse. II contained two hundred guineas.
Two hundred guineas It was a fortune.
Than he be0an 10 c0nsifer what ba xvo,,ld