The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-08-06
waiting for some one to come and direct

"This is the Eden road," said Jessie,
all unconscious that the last CLEANS of the
fading sunset were lighting up her fair,
innocent face with almost angelic beauty,
as she stood there among the fallen leaves.
"And can you tell me the shortest foot
path to Hardwiche Hall. l have not been
in this neighborhood since was child,
and am completely at fault
Jessie hesitated moment. al could
show you better than tell you,, for it is
rather complicated road" she said, "and
if you will accept my service as guide it
will not be much out of my way"
81 shall feel very much honored," said
the stranger "Meanwhile let me carry
your basket"
1t was a wild lovely walk, winding among
moss-garland trees, and hollows, sweet
with aromatic incense of dying leaves
Jessie could not help admiring the chival-
ric manners and polished courtesy of her
companion, and he was more pleased with
the blooming lovelincss and girlish dig
nifty of his young guide. A few adroit
questions respecting Hardwiche Hall and
its neighborhood sufficed to draw forth a
spirited abstract of the character of the
Hardwiche agent, and the imposition he
was wont to practice upon the tenants
and neighbors, as well as an arch descrip-
ton of most of the "characters" there
abouts. Then he continued to learn all
about Jessie's little school, and her ailing
mother, and he smiled to himself in the
the twilight, to observe the pride of her
mein, when she alluded to the high position
from which unforeseen reverses had COM
PEELED her mother to descend.
"Then she said suddenly pausing with n
feeling as if she had been almost too COM
municative, "if we could only cross yonder
lawn, the gates are close by, but we shall
have to go quarter of a mile around
"Why?" asked the stranger.
T" Mr.. Talcott will not allow travellers to
Cross here-he says it is private property"
"I fancy shall dare Mr. Talcott's
wrath" said the gentleman, laughing, as
he pushed open the wire gate that defend
ed the forbidden space. cit is perfectly
absurd to make people go quarter of a
mile out of their way for a mere whim."
They had scarcely entered the enclosure
when they met an unlocked for obstacle,
Talcott himself, who was prowling over the
grounds on the qui vive for trespassers.
"Hallo, herev' growled he; "just turn
back if you please. This isn't the public
thoroughfare."
The stranger held Jessie's arm under his
own little tighter, as if to repress her ev-
ident inclination to "beat a retreat" He
was disposed to maintain his position.
81 don't see any reasonable cause why
we shouldn't go ahead, he said pertinacious-
ly. There is path here, and suppose it
was made to walk on"
"Not for you," said the agent, contempt
uously, $50 go back as fast as you can"
els it possible that people are made to
travel a circuitous and unpleasant route for
no other earthly reason than your caprices,
sir?" asked the gentleman, looking down
at the little man, from the altitude of his
six feet, with a kind of laughing scorn.
"Did it ever occur to you, friend, that
others had rights and conveniences as well
as yourself?"
"Can't help their rights-nothing to
me-" snarled the agent, planting himself
obstinately in the path. &C. forbid all pass
ing here"
"But l suppose Everard Hardwiche
may have the privilege of crossing his own
land?" persisted the stranger, still pre-
senting the half contemptuous smile that
had from the beg inning made the agent SC
uncomfortable.
Talcott grew, not exactly pale, but vel
low with CONSERVATION.
"Mr. Hardwiche-sir, did not know
we did not expect"
"No-I know you didn't, my good man.
Be so kind as to step aside, and allow mt
to pass with the lady. Miss Jessie, don't
forget that l need your services few min
utes yet. When we reach the house,
will prolong my walk to your cottage. Nay
don't shrink away from me, are we not tC
be very good friends?"
"The prettiest girl l ever saw in m!
life," was his internal comment as he a
length parted from her at the little gate
where 'burning bushes" and dark greer
ivy were trained together with all wo
mans TASTE
The Christmas SHOWS lay white and dee
on the farm house eaves-the Christina
| LOGS crankled ON the hearth vzhara Mr.