The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-08-12

could hardly sleep all night my head
was in such happy tumult though l said
yes in my mind, as soon as I read his ques-
tion and the course of our true love was
likely to run smoothly enough, for father
and mother both set great store by Reu-
ben, and he had no relatives whose inter-
ference would affect us in any way. Mother
didn't think very much of his aunt Miss
Debby Haddam, because she said that the
butter that came from our house always
had streaks of buttermilk in it, and was
perfect old gossip besides. And Miss
Debby didn't think much of me, because
didn't do all the extra work in hay time
She said we would all go to rack and ruin
and servant-girl was so expensive, and
had just enough learning to make me
hoity-toity and good-for-nothing. You
see had been one year to the academy,
and she thought we couldn't afford to
spend our money in that way. had
heard that she had said Reuben had too
much sense to think of marrying a silly
chit like me- and if he did do such thing
he'd have none Of her property; she'd leave
the old place to the town before she'd have
one of the Curtises wasting what she'd
slaved for But Reuben was we'll enough
off without the "old place." as he had the
finest farm in Waterford county of his own,
and bank stock besides, which was left
him by his mother; and it seems that she
had been unable to influence him against
me, after all.
By four o'clock the cakes and pies were
out Of the oven, the gooseberry tarts, made
with an especial thought for the taste of
Uncle Isaiah, were filed to the top of
their flaky rims one of mothers best COM
pany tableclothes was brought from the
great chest upstairs the preserves were
poured from their sealed jars into glasses
as clear as their own juice, and everything
looked nice enough to set mothers mind
at ease, even with regard to the critical eye
of Aunt Perkins. But had worked pretty
hard to bring about so much in SO short
space of time, and the great three seated
wagon drove up to the door, bearing the
last tart Dick was at the door before
had time to seize and extricate him from
his coat of tears and sugar, and Aunt Per-
kins saw me with my sleeves rolled up, and
in dark calico gown, at that time of day /;
SO mothers sunshine was dampened by
cloud at this early hour.
"Sakes alive you don't say that poor
Johns laid up with the rheumatism
again ?" said grandmother, all the happi-
ness of meeting gone from her dear good
natured old face. "Selina," turning to
Aunt Perkins, "we had better go straight
over to Ethan's, and make our visit there
first. Sally and Phebe must have their
hands full, without taking care of CON-
pany." lor.
"Just as you say, mother. l suppose
Sarah does feel the exertion of taking care
Of John. Rheumatic people require much
attention." said my aunt, with the little
pucker which my mother called politeness.
Not tonight. I'm going to see John,
and cheer him up little p said hearty
Uncle Isaiah. Here's little Phebe, she
won't call it trouble to look after herold
uncle's supper and breakfast By the way,
heard that Phebe had beau, Tom Had
dams son. There's no need of growing so
red over it, my dear his fathers son could
not help being likely fellow; and to be
mistress of that Lynde farm is what no.
body need be ashamed OFF,
"Rube Haddam is Phebe's beau," ex-
claimed Dick. "He comes over here about
every night, and squeezes Phebes hand in
the door. see him. He gave her ring !"
gave that preoocious youth a look
which he understood, and fled up stairs to
my own room.
How did Dick know that Reuben had
given me a ring, wondered? Had the
little wretch been opening my drawer He
frequently ransacked my room when l
was too busy to attend to him, but to-day
had only missed him during the time he
was engaged in cutting his hand in the
woodshed. But had little room in my
mind to give to vexation, Reuben was COM
ing tonight, and though the company
might prevent my seeing him alone in the
best room for one moment, it would be
happiness enough to see him, anyway and
what an eloquent recognition of my answer
his eyes would give when they fell upon
his beautiful pearl ring upon my engage
ment fingerl Icould not help stopping in
the midst of my hurried doing of my hair
to look at the ring once more. 1t was SO
precious But when opened the box where