The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-04-30

DfOkeu aDruptly.
"Thee comes to say that the will is lost
friend John?"' She said. ''
"I cameto sa,Sit,~ looking in the fire,
avoiding all eyes. Gone. Sholter, as
proxy for Samuel Pierse, takes possession
OF the plantations tomorrow"
"And the people ?" cried Hester, start
ing up.
"They are all to be transferred to the
place in Georgia"
''Sold? ?"
No; not Immediately"
The girl burst into tears, pacing the floor.
MY own people They were kind to me
when no one else was kind-not even my
own mother Old Manner that nursed me
in her arms They shall not go! They
shall not y
''Can nothing be done?' said Friend
Cox, half-crying
Nothing proposed taking the house
servants off Shelters hands; but he would,
not"
q Hester forgets her own loss," she said
in whisper.
81 do not" the girl stopped. ut is
unjust God knows feel that / am no
meek saint But l can help myself. What
can they do--my poor people? You think
me silly, perhaps; but they were all had
to love for years ~ her face growing Grim
son as she looked at Bob.
A silence followed. Bob leaned his head
on the window-pane. The girl paced to
and fro, controlling herself.
Hester' said the Quaker, at last, 81
see but one hope for thy house people. 1t
may be that, in time, this man Pierse will
relent, and dispose of them to me or friend
John here. Then it will all be right Thou
art my child now, thee knows?"
Except my share in her." / said.
Hester was near the old lady. She turn
ed impulsively and threw her arms about
her. "You know | thank you both - Her
voice was clear enough now. "But, listen
to me. have made up my mind. My
promise, and have made one in my heart
to my people. can not be dependent on
you-on any one. | will earn my own
bread, Friend Cox, and, after a time, II
buy them back" Friend Cox smiled and
smoothed her hair But saw the fashion
in which the girls lips closed, and knew
she would keep her word.
Bob Johns pushed away the curtain and
came up to the hearth. don't think he
remembered that or the old lady were
L. a., n.1,
"Do you know what think of myself
Hetty?" he said in a tone whose bitterness
seemed to come scalding out of his heart
"Do you see me standing here-a man ol
twenty-five ignorant, pennilcss years, and
chances squandered when ought to have
been strong to help you and these wretched
souls? Squandered God help me p HG
covered his face with his hands. She put
hers trembling on his shoulder. "I've q
strong arm yet, and strong willr' he
broke out, catching the little hand. g Yoa
work Never if there is any trace Of man
hood left in me ! ] can dig if nothing better
IIetty Hetty Make man of me Lei
me work for you Give yourself to me now
! have been. Only believe in me-belieyt
in me ~
"Ido-I always did, Robert, You shall
work for me. But not together. Let ui
try our strength first. Let me do some
thing for my people" The girls strength
was giving way. She grew pale trembling
"Come, child" said Friend Cox, :" thee
has borne enough. Tomorrow we will tall
this matter over" and led her from tn,
room.
Bob Johns and soon after took our leave
Friend Cox had upbraided me with too la,
manner in dealing with young people
thought this good time to reform. So a
we rode down the avenue, | began in tom
calculated in itself to carry conviction.
" Young man, you might have been pre-
pared for this have warned you of tn
helpless, inefficient thing you were making
Of yourself, time and again, but to no pur
pose. A more stifi-necked hardened youtl
in following his own idle fancies never fel
under my control. What can donow?''
"Well, Uncle john" said Bob, turnin,
his face with miserable smile, "yo
might as well just call me Bob again, an,
let me work out my own salvation. Littl
Hetty's tears have preached more to me to
night than all your counsel"
"Bob, you're rcprobate," ] answered
However, Wen try and have you admitte
next month, and can throw a good dca