The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-08-12
Gbe Gimes, Neu BLOOMFIELD, 1)a.

pareneaueu, ana In Iearfuuy dlapluaJeu
and dripping state. He had been over to
see Tom Smith, friend of his who lived
five miles away. His friend entertained
him by giving free instructions in new
gymnastic feat, which in some way led
them into the middle of the goose-pond,
could not understand just how. ] was ex-
asperated to see mother kiss him and cry
over him. For my part, thought he de-
served a good whipping, and had little
private interview with him after had
washed some of the mud from his clothes
and got him ready for bed.
The next day 1 was also in demand
every moment. My hands were not free
until late at night, and l cried myself to
sleep when my head did reach the pillow
at last.
Sam came in on the third morning with
a piece of news. Reuben Haddam had let
his farm to Uncle Ethan, and had dismissed
his housekeeper, shut up his house, and
gone away.
"Gone whereP" found strength to
gasp.
81 don't know Somewhere out West,
'bleeve. / s'posed you knew" said he, in
his bungling way.
Mother looked at me quite aghast, but l
managed to go on with my work as usual,
and for wonder nobody asked me any
questions on the subject. Father was so
sick that he neither thought nor cared any
4
worried that it slipped her mind ALSO l
suppose.
Two more wretched days passed, and on
Saturday afternoon Aunt Perkins suddenly
grew better, and was seized with desire
to drive over to Uncle Ethan's, and Dick
and l must carry her there at once in the
wagon.
"Debby won't be expecting her, said
my mother to me in private, as we were
preparing to start, "and she's never pre-
pared for company, and she'll be in a
dreadful stew if she isn't now, for she's as
much afraid of that woman as am. Sup
posing you carry over that loaf of cake we
baked this morning, and some of those
gooseberry tarts you made the other day.
You baked SO many of them that they'll
get stale and dry before they're all eaten"
SO packed up the eatables, and Aunt
Debby was glad enough Of them, for she
was an ailing, inefficient little woman, and
as mother said, never was prepared for
company.
You and Dick must stay to tea,' said
she, patting me on the shoulder; "and by
the way, Phebe, Reuben Haddam is here.
He's going to spend Sunday with us, and
is going to start for Chicago bright and
early Monday morning What makes you
let him go away, child? was so surprised
when he came and told your uncle he
could have the farm if he liked, because
he was going to leave town. Your uncle
was too glad to get it, though, to ask many
| questions. He's been coaxing him to let
half of it for a good while. 1t joins ours,
you know, and ours is all run out, and not
half large enough for Ethans notions"
My heart leaped for joy at the thought
Of seeing Reuben once more, but / said
nothing, and Dick, for wonder, behaved
like an angel, and made no remarks con-
corning that gentleman. was dreadfully
pervous, though, and when Reuben's sur
prised eyes met mine as he came in to the
supper-table, blushed until my very ears
tingled, and was afraid tears would drop
into my plate. He noticed my confusion,
l know, but he was as cool and calm as
possible, called me Miss Curtis, and was
wonderfully polite. He sat directly oppo-
site me, and l am sure / didn't know
whether was eating or not, nor did |
heed what any one was saying. only
thought of Reuben-that Reuben was go
ing away, and must get chance to speak
to him. He didn't seem to care much that
didn't wear his ring, though
Reuben was eating one of my gooseberry
talts, when all Of sudden he looked en-
barrassed, and his teeth came in contact
with some hard substance that sounded
like metal. o dear, thought, what had
got into my tarts? thought made them
so nice That wicked Dick must have
dropped piece of coal or something of
the kind in them; and Aunt Debby would
be so mortified He was taking something
out of his mouth, but dared not look up
until Dick screamed out:
"only see, Phebe, there's your ring that
Reuben gave you, and you made such
time about losing. 1t got into the tart
some way when you were filling it. guess
yon dropped it into the jam-pot p' And
he roared with laughter, as if he thought