The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-07-15

no OF course not " Win quick, palneu
voice. Then more softly, "Do you know
what people are saying?"
"About ReubenP Yes, child it isn't
true though"
"Folks believe it," said Della, sadly.
"He looks SO sober and gloomy; something
is wrong, somehow, am sure"
"Hum p shifted Mrs. Blatchford.-
"Does Calvin Bligh believe it?"
Father? Well you know how father
is. He isn't sure of his own mind until he
is opposed. Then it's made up quick
And / said didn't believe it, and mother
too, and now he won't believe anything
else. Deacon Quimby went to see Reuben
and he would not hear word from him |;
said he was busy. And oh aunt, man
was up from Grafton yesterday, and the
deacon heard him talk as he went away.
He said, We'll, Reuben, three hundred
will do it, and you may call yourself lucky
to get off with that; and Reuben answered,
'he would see about raising it, but had
good mind to take his chance. ,"
"Aunt Blatchford, l want to trust you
with something. want your promise to
keep secret always what l say now,"
pleaded the girl, getting close to her old
friend.
"Well," said Mrs. Blatchford, affirm
atively. W
"Aunt, / want you to give him this"
said Della, very low, but earnestly. cts
my government bond-all mine, you know
five hundred dollars Uncle Silas gave me
in his will. He must never know where
it came from-never. May be Reuben has
gone wrong; it don't seem like him, but
young men have temptations, and if just
this money win set him right and give him
a chance to begin again, want he should
have it. Reuben was good to me when we
were little-and-I used to-like him.
I don't want him to be disgraced and wick
ed. Oh, aunt talk to him-hell listen to
you, know; tell him to set himself right
with the money, and then get right with
God. Reuben used to be good. don't
think he went wrong of himself"
"That money was for your setting out, !"
said Mrs. Blatchford, still unbending.-
"What will your father say ?"
81 shall not be married." said Della,
yet more softly. "Father will never know
I've parted with the money. can teach
and earn more. I'd rather work my fin
gers off than---than not save Reuben p
Della Bligh, you're a good girl" said
Mrs. Blatchford, suddenly losing her grim
ness and drawing Della into her ample en-
brace. "I take back any hard thoughts
I've had, and I'll do your will and keep my
counsel There-there child-1 kind of
mistrusted you liked Reuben still; don't
cry-yes, do, it'll help you bear it.'
Then the old lady and young girl kissed
and comforted each other in true womanly
fashion, and Calvin Bligh never guessed
what had deepened the flush on his pretty
daughters cheeks, as she gave him his tea
that evening.
Mrs. Blatchford's opportunity for keep
ing her promise came speedily. Oppor-
tunities do easily come to people in ear
nest.
When the young man understood the
meaning of her kindly, simple talk at first
he ragged "like wild tiger" as she after
wards expressed it, and then he threw
back his fine head and laughed SO loud and
long the good woman thought his reason
had departed. Then ne explained to her
how his employer had indeed failed, and he
himself was undoubtedly out of situation
at presen. But that he and his EN-.
ployer's son were connected in some inven-
ton which they were struggling to gel
patented; that they were contesting the
point with wealthier man, and had beer
like to fail for want of funds.
"But we shall pull through now, and
our fortune is secured" said the young
man. "As for your offer of aid, Aunt
Blatchford--here, give me the bond. II
shall help me out of perplexity, though II
isn't needed to save me from disgrace, and
you shall have it again with compound in
terest in six weeks. Only shall always be
in your debt for so much love and kindness
and Christian charity"
Then he kissed her wiinlyed hand witt
the grace Of a knight Of old, and went
away.
But when Widow Blatchford and Delaf
Biigh next met, was there not a private ju
bilee?
CheTywood eyes began TO get open, ant
the Cherywood gourd Of scandal to drooI
In It's highest branches, about that time
and when Reuben ellison came back from