The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-05-28


better?"
There was dead silence in the room for
some minutes after this. Uncle James
spoke at last, in a low tone, as If he was
reading instead of conversing.
"When I was young man, Herman, not
older than you are now, was working on
this farm for old Squire Hayward, who was
very fond of me even them
"He left you the farm did he not ?"
eyes, but there was no talk of that
then. was only farm hand, though the
old squire always chose me to drive him
out, or to do any business that required
trusty person. He had no family, so it
made a stir when his sister died in New
York, and her daughter came to live on the
farm. She was the handsomest woman l
ever saw in my life, quite young, about
seventeen, but with all the self-possession
and coquctry of woman of thirty. was,
as l said, often about her father, and met
Arabela-that was her name-frequently.
She was so kind to me, so gracious, had so
many winning ways, that she had my heart
in her grasp in less than week. My love
was fairly worshiping, and when she would
give me smiles and words of encourage
ment, how was l, a poor country boy, to
know it was all skillful coquetry, the sport
of a hard-hearted flirt Then John Miller
came, and he too loved her. He was a
young lawyer, who settled in town but came
over here very often, sometimes for weeks
visit at one time. Arabela played her part
so well, that | never suspected the truth till
l summoned up courage to ask her to be
my wife in the future, when she told me
she.was engaged to John Miller. While we
were talking John, Miller came in, and she
told him my cherished hope and secret as
good joke. Together they laughed at the
country pumpkin, and John made sneering
remarks that stung me almost to madness.
think would have struck him to the
ground, but a kindly hand was placed upon
my arm, and turning, / found the squire
had entered the room unperceived. Stern
ly rebuking the others, he led me away,
and sent me long journey the next day,
upon some private business. When 1 re-
turned, John was gone with his bride. The
old squire left her thirty thousand dollars,
but he left me the farm. was nearer to
him than his own niece. Herman, don't
ask me to welcome the child of John and
Arabela here. l cannot do it"
You know that her parents are both
dead. She lives with her fathers sister,"
81 know. John died insolvent in spite
of his sharp practice and avarice. Arabela
only lived few years after her husband"
Another long silence followed. Then
Herman spoke: sIir
"Uncle James, cannot give Fanny up
But promise never to bring her home as
my wife until you consent to the marriage.
Will you see her?'
"No, no! Wait till die, Herman.
won't live very long, Doctor Hodges says"
"Uncle James ~
~ did not tell you before, lad, for fear of
paining you. Doctor Hodges said last week
that was failing. l made him tell me.
may live a few years longer--I may be
called any day."
"And was worrying you," said the
young man, penitent and fearful.
"No, lad; I like to know all you are
doing. You will come home often ?''
"Do you think will go away again My
place is here"
81 should be very glad to have you, Her
man. 1t is hard to find an honest overseer
when the farmer himself is SICK But your
prospects in town, Hermann"
"Let them 60. Uncle James, do you
think could leave you nowp You have
been more than father to me; let me try
now to fill sons place to you"
Sand Fanny Miller?"
"We will talk of her some other time.
Tell me how farm matters stand"
The conversation that followed awakened
still further the kindly emotions of the
young mans heart, and his remorse for
the past years absence. 1t seemed like de-
sertion, when he heard of his uncle's lone
illness; Of how badly outdoor matters had
gone, in hired hands; of the waste, the
domestic difficulties and losses.
~. would not have told you all this, If
you had not offered to stay" the old man
said.
"Ishould have stayed before, had l known
you were so i'll. You have always been
about whenI came over" ' ~
~ have never been confined to my room.
Still, grow weaker. wish we had a
good servant. Eliza is very wasteful. i'm