The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-05-06
Edith Grantly's Hero

A PRETTY little dappled-Gray mare
IN stood impatiently paving the ground
in front of the Carlton railway station,
arching her slender neck, and tossing her
long silken name with an undeniable air of
coquetry.
"Pretty creature that, Irwin, said "a tall
sandy dy-complexioned man, coming round
the corner of the depot, and pausing, with
both hands thrust nearly to the elbows in
his trousers pockets, at the edge of the
narrow platform. 'Reckon the squire
wouldn't sell her, nohow."
This was said in that indescribable half
questioning way in which Yankee "talks
round"
Better ask him if you want to buy, Mr..
Sanders" John Irwin answered, shortly.
4 so come now, John, you needn't be SO
touchy You know he's hard pushed; it's
no secret, if you and he do think it's. But
about this little filly; mebbe should like
to buy her, now-hey?" And the long
neck and STOPPING shoulders were thrust SO
far forward that he looked like some huge
bird of prey, the deep-set, restless gray eyes
and hooked nose helping out the fancy.
"Well, you can't have her; she's sold al
ready" John answered, sharply. And then
as the shril whistle of the engine gave
warning of the approaching train. he
sprang to the ground, laying his arm
caressingly over the neck of the horse,
talking to her all the time in low assur-
ing voice, which she answered in little
shifts, and short broken whinnies.
The Bird of Prey drew in his neck,
winked in very satisfied way, first at
John--who didn't see him--and then at
the platform, and lastly at the engine,
which, curiously enough, seemed to wink
back at him with its unearthly eye Of fire.
Then, plunging his hands still further in
his pockets, he slouched away, but not so
far but what he could see everything that
occurred-trust Rick Sanders for that
John Twins attention was about equally
divided between his fiery little charge and
the passengers alighting from the newly
arrived train Suddenly his face lighted
up, and at the same instant Bess gave a
low whinny of delight, and arched hei
pretty neck, and, despite Johns strong
hand, started for the platform.
A tall stylish figure, in some sort Of pale
lustrous gray, came quickly down the steps
and put her daintily-gloved hand on the
horse's neck
"Glad to see you back, Miss Edith, y
said John, his face glowing with honest
delight
"Thank you, John" she replied, with q
bright smile. "And Bess-don't you thinl
she knew me?" patting the face pressed
against her arm, and looking into the great
brown eyes, almost human in their elo
quence of love.
"Know you miss Lor', it's my opinion
she knew you was comm just as well a
any of us. She is just the knowingest hoss
It's shame that she has got to-" JOIN
broke off abruptly, colored to the roots o
his hair, and then made q sudden dive 70
trunk at the lower end of the platform
which he Immediately conilscated, togethe
with a small valise, on which was strappe
lady's waterproof and parasol
"These all, Miss Edith ?" he asked, wit
a ludicrous show Of absorption in this on
trunk and valise.
Very evidently the world held at thi
moment no other object Of thought or in
terest. All, John, you are sorry dissen
bier; you oyerdo the matter altogether
A faint smile, followed by an expressio
of pain, fitted across Miss Edith Grantley'
face, but she did not speak or stir, bu
stood with her hand still resting on th
horses neck, till Johns respectful "nov
if fyoa please, Miss Edith" had been twie