The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-12-02

notice of the foreclosure daily, till il had
made him as nervous as a woman, and rob-
bed him Of his rest. The mysterious be-
havior of Gripe in holding off SO long as he
had, helped to puzzle the old mans mind
and increase his anxiety. He felt pecu-
liar thrill of pleasure, it must be confessed,
when Emily went up and put her hand in
his and called him father, for Farmer Bell
had never had daughter of his own but
it was momentary.
"We anticipate such a glorious Thanks
giving dinner tomorrow, father" said
she. "I hope you have killed the fattest
turkey"
Yes, yes" Mrs. Bell answered for him,
the turkey is all stuffed and ready for
basting. John always relishes his Thanks
giving turkey more than all the other
dinners of the year. Don't you John ?"
Thanksgiving Day has always been a
happy day with me, and wife," said Farm
er Bell, as if striving to appear cheerful; /;
"and I'll do my best toward making to-
morrow happy promise you," But
through his mind that same moment ran
the thought where will we all be come this
time next year
But when they gathered about the old
table in the great roomy kitchen, the next
day for one brief hour Farmer Bells gloom
was dissipated by the joyousness of the
scene and its pleasant associations
Leonard's bright-eyed young wife was in
abounding good spirits, and laughed and
chatted till Farmer Bell forgot the mort
gage and everything else but the genial
pleasure of the hour. Emily complimented
everything on the table and declared it the
incest dinner she ever sat down to in her
life. The turkey was done to turn ; the
pumpkin-pie was a marvel of culinery per-
fection. 1t was while they were discussing
the pies that Farmer Bell began to tell a
laughable "reminiscences Of his youth, in
which pumpkin jack-'o-lantern figured,
and which caused great merriment around
the board; and as he was in the midst of the
funniest part he glanced out of the window
exclamation of terror and CONSERVATION.
Squire Gripe's well-known rusty old horse
and chaise were at the hitching- post by
the gate, and Gripe himself was limping up
the walk toward the house.
"He can't be coming to serve the notice
on Thanksgiving Dayw cried Leonard,
anxiously.
"Why not?" said Farmer Bell in a bitter
tone "he keeps no holidays. Probably
some business brings him out of his road,
and he's for saving the sherif's fee, and an
extra journey at the same time"
The Squire's nervous rap was heard at
the door, and Farmer Bell asked all to re-
main seated--be would go to the door
himself. So he left the room.
"How are ye--eh-Mr. Bell?' asked the
Squire, in his peculiar piping treble.
Coolish-eh-coolish out?''
Yes, SIR" said the farmer, showing
his guest into the parlor, where the
Thanksgiving fire was burning. Well,
SIR" he added, as soon as the Squire was
seated 81 suppose you're on business?"
"Yes-eh-but not with you, Mr..
Bell" was the answer. "It's Miss--eh
Sutton want to see. She's here, amt
she ?''
eyes" said the farmer "or rather
Miss Sutton that was She's my sons wife
now"
"Ob, then it's-eh-come of, has it
Heard something about it but didn't know
when--eh--it was to come of. Congratu-
late ye."
"l'l send her in" said the farmer
and he went into the kitchen to do his er-
rand.
"Oh, it's me he wants, is it ?" said
Emily, rising from the table.
"Do You want your husband? ?" asked
Leonard, curiously.
No" said she, laughing ; am do with
out my protector this time. If l scream
you can come, you know" Aud then she
tripped out Of the room.
A few minutes after Squire Gripe limped
down the garden path, and drove of, as
Emily came into the kitchen again and sat
down to finish her dinner.
"What does make You all SO gloomy P''
she asked 81 declare, father, one would
think there had been funeral instead OF Il
wedding. Mother, / must have another
piece Of that delicious pie"
"Ah, Emily" said the farmer, "you've
got cheerful heart You'll be blessing
TO Leonard. Nothing can damp your
spirits.v