The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-12-23

Albert the necessity of bringing his uncle
to terms. And now, / shall leave you.
Let Albert sleep as long as he can. He is
worn out now, and tomorrow he must
work hard. 1t will be the turning point in
his life. Everything depends upon what he
can do tomorrow.
| So saying, Mr.. Wilson went away quiet
ly, leaving his sister in condition border
ing on distraction. What to do {? how to
think where to goP There were the ques-
tions presented to her throbbing brain. For
few moments she stood in the lighted
hall, trying to control the helpless, nervous
sensations stealing over her she. Then
went softly into the parlor, and listened
to her husbands heavy, irregular breathing.
"To-morow, only tomorrow, she thought,
"and he will never recover from such q
blow.'
She bent over him, pressing her lips to
the masses of tangled curls falling on his
forehead, and then as if seized by sudden
inspiration, left the room and hurried up
stairs.
Edith was sitting in the dressing-room,
looking over lessons.
Edith will you take your books to the
dining-room, and be very quietP Papa is
asleep in the parlor, and can not have
him awakened. You will watch by him for
a little while"
Edith did as she was told, secretly won-
dering why papa should be asleep in the
parlor.
|
When she had left the room, Mrs. Nor
risson took her cloak and bonnet from the
wardrobe, and began to dress hastily for
the street. She was tying her bonnet on,
when Rays voice came, clear and curious,
from her little crib in the corner.
"Where are you going, mammal"
Mrs. Morrison turned, rather startled at
the question. Ray was sitting up, her
bright eyes fixed on her mothers figure.
81 thought you were asleep, Ray
"No, me not seepy."
"Mrs. Morrison thought for moment,
then looked at the clock 1t was just nine.
The distance to Mr.. Morrsson's house was
short, easily traversed in ten minutes, and
the night, although cold was clear and
dry. -
"Will you come with mamma, Ray ?"
Ray sprang to her feet with cry of delight,
and Mrs. MORRISON, having locked the door,
dressed the little creature in her warmest
clothes, and, taking her in her arms went
noiselessly down the broad staircase. Ber-
ties voice singing for Tommy was audible
from the upper story, and in the dining
room mirror the mother caught glimpse
of Edith's delicate profile bending over her
book.
Pressing Rays little face to her breast,
less the child should call out, Mrs. Nor
risson gently opened and closed the hall
door, fastened down the stoop, and with
sigh of relief put Ray ON her feet on the
sidewalk.
Z" Me know where we are doing" ex-
claimed the child, putting her hand in her
mothers, and glancing down the broad
street.
Where, Ray?' and Mrs. Morrisson's
heart gave sudden bound. She was grow
ing nervous over the step she was about to
take, fearful for it's results, half dreading
that her impnlsiveness might injure her
husbands cause. And yet something
within impelled her forward. The moon
light seemed to clothe Ray In robes of silver,
and the childish face was glowing with
delight as she replied, "To see Santa.
Claus"
"Do you feel cold, Ray9" Ray shook
her head clasped her little white muff clos
er to her form, and pattered along the al
most deserted pavement, smiles chasing
each other over her happy face. %
A walk Of three blocks across town
brought Mrs Morrison to an avenue,
which, like great gulf fixed, divided the
aristocratic quarter in which her house was
situated, from the unpretentious neighbor-
hood in which Mr. Morrison dwelt. Sew
eral times in the course of her married life,
she and her. husband had visited uncle
James. Not very often, for the old man
once insinuated that they came to gain
favor with him, in view of prospective
legacy. Mr.. Albert Morrisson's pride was
hurt at this speech, for hitherto he had
been equal to supporting himself /; had as
sisted others generously, and had seldom
given even passing thought to " Uncle
Jim's money" as 1t was called in the fam
lily. slt se4 4Att
Uncle Jim" was by no means pop
uiar parsonage among his many nephews
and nieces. He was purse-proud, ayari-
cious, and cold-hearted. A disappointed