The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-11-03

AS soon as JDe meal was over, uncle Ben
proposed to return to bis hotel, where his
business in the city would make it more
convenient for him to stay. But he prom
ised compliance with the reiterated request
that Mary was not present in the group
that was bidding him good morning at the
door, he said to the girls, d rr~i trrr1g
"Dress up in your best and tomorrow
afternoon will come with carriage and
take you and your cousin Mary to ride.
Good morning" Eh
The mother and daughters exchanged
looks of alarm. They had not so much
objections to Mary's joining them in their
drive, but it was too cold for calico, and
how would fustian and brogans look in
such nice carriage as uncle Ben would be
sure to bring? But the pinch must be got
round in some way--a plausible explana-
tion must be fabricated for uncle Ben !;
and worst come to worst, she might pass
to the public eye as a servant. The latter
idea was rather pleasing than otherwise.
next day, with the full expectation that
she would decline the invitation. But to
their surprise she expressed herself delights
ed with the anticipated pleasure, and run
ming away, soon appeared in her perennial
calico.
"Mary, go and take that dress right off"
said Mrs. Curtis.
"Why, aunt, it is the best have got. b"
"No matter, the weather is too cold for
that; and if that is your best, then sup
pose there is an end to your jaunt"
Mary crept in her domestic" garb
again, and went quietly to work.
Soon came the fine carriage, and horses,
and driver, and out jumped uncle Ben in
high spirits.
"Come, my chicks" said he, "all
readyP"
'All but Mary" said Mrs. Curtis Z" she
is not inclined to go out to-day. What a
beautiful carriage you have brought, cap
tain 70
eyes, fine craft" replied he, "but
must have my full cargo"
So pushing his way through the rooms
to the kitchen, he found Mary busy at her
work.
"Ahav ~ said he, "not so easy dodging
an old skipperr' and spying rusty bon
net on nail, he clapped it on her head
seized her arm, and trotted her out to the
carriage and tossed her in.
Mary, though half provoked at his rough
oddity, could not help laughing all the
time, while her aunt and cousins did not
know whether to be amused or aston
ished.
That ride was one to be remembered
Instead of driving into the country, as they
expected, uncle Ben pushed for the most
fashionable streets, and spent the after
noon in visiting the various places of gen.
teel resort-the museums, picture-galler-
les, and millinery store-maling Mary,
all the while, his principal care, and ad-
dressing his remarks chiefly to her, when
ever others were present. He bought them
many little gifts, and at last took it into
his head that he must have all their like
nesses in daguereotype, with their bon
nets on, before they went home. There
was no resisting him, he was SO kind and
amusing, The pictures were excellent /;
and Mary's was so ludicrous that all three
of the girls were convulsed with laughter
over it, in which uncle Ben heartily Joined.
Thrusting them into his pocket, he drove
home.
Mary now began to suspect that there
was something deeper in her uncle's
thoughts than mere love of amusement,
and determined hereafter to comply with
whatever wbims he might indulge. Helen
and Emily were better pleased with their
ride, than they were with their uncle's
taste.
Uncle Ben became absorbed in his own
cares, and the winter was fast wearing
away. He must return to South America
early in the spring, to look after some per-
sonal matters which be left unsettled, and
his visits to the cottage were consequently
rare.
Young Belts had once more called to see
Mary, but was flatly refused admittance
by Mrs. Curtis, who upbraided him with
coming whore he was not wanted, and for
bade him ever to approach her house again;
declaring that Mary was aware of his at
tempted visits, and had conceived perfect
hatred for him. He soon contrived, how
ever, to gain an interview and pledge of
constancy passed between them to be kept