The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-09-22

| gun, while TURK, MS 1aV0rlte pointer, mas
made himself comfortable by appropriating
sofa exclusively to his own use. Mr..
Rivers still smiles-but with the smile
there may also be detected look of per-
plexity and vexation-the business before
him is evidently embarrassing.
In fact, Mr.. Rivers had found out that
the presence of such handsome, sprightly
lad as his nephew would prove no auxiliary
to his designs upon the heart and hand of
Jessie. Not that he by any means doubted
the fascination of his own person, or that
Jessie would be so unwise as to resist all
the tempting ct ceterds of wealth which he
had thrown into the scale-neither would
she now, for the first time in her life, exert
will of her own in opposition to his
wishes-all these things were as utter i'm
possibilities to the vanity -pampered mind
of Mr.. Rivers. But there was no necessity
that Claude should always be reading with
Jessie--or that Jessie should always ac-
company Claude in his rambles-none at
all-and so, to put a quietus at once upon
as arrangements could be effected to send
his nephew to Europe, and in the mean
while to despatch Jessie to visit an old lady
residing some ten miles from the Grove.
These discreet resolves all prove that Mr..
Rivers had cut his wisdom teeth.
But how to announce this project to his
nephew occasioned his present perplexity.
Turning at length toward Claude with an
air which seemed to say" you see how
much / am ever exertiDg myself for you"
he began
81 have this day,received letter from one
of my many Partisan correspondents upon
matters which require immediate and per-
sonal attention. There are reasons why 1
cannot leave at present." "and therefore
to you shall entrust the affair, and it is
one of such Importance as must make you
feel honored by the charge. You can make
your arrangements, nephew, to sail for
Liverpool in the next steamer"
"May be hanged if do p' thought
Claude, but he only said with mu ch cool
ness:
81 thank you for your kindness, uncle,
but really / do not feel disposed to accept
of your offer, advantageous as you may
consider it. s
"Not accept my offer You astonish
me-" And Mr. Rivers rubbed his forehead
as if he doubted his own sanity.
"And besides, uncle have promised
Jessie to take her to Boston next week"
"No matter about jessie" answered Mr.
Rivers, rather hastily; "she will not 60
and neither has she any inclination to visit
Boston at present"
"That is very strange, sir" said Claude;
sit was only last night we were speaking
of it,"
Hem !-Claude-there is an event
ahem lin short, something has this day
occurred which-which will probably in
fuence all Jessie's future movements
"Indeed ~ exclaimed Claude, looking
profoundly innocent.
Yes, nephew-in fact, Claude, expect
to marry Jessie in few weeks"
"Marry Jessie you astonish mo-to
whom?" said Claude.
"Myself."
You impossible you ~ And if Jessie
had laughed in the morning, more merily
laughed Claude now-it might have been
the wind, but it seemed as if sweet voice
under the window caught up the notes and
sent them trilling through the shrubbery,
like the low warbling of bird.
Excuse me, uncle, but really the idea
struck me at first as being very laugha-
ble."
And why so, sir?" and if ever Mr..
Rivers looked black, this was the time.
"Why, Jessie is but child as it were"
answered Claude naively-"and you are
not so very, very young, uncle"
"That sir, permit me to say, is no affair
of yours"
go no, but Jessie is only seventeen !"
Well, you need not trouble yourself
about her age, it is not you who are to
marry her."
"Ahem -
When you have reflected little more
upon the peculiar eligibility Of the plan I
propose for you, you will thank me that
now insist upon your compliance-t therefore
make your arrangements at once"
Claude made no answer, but carelessly
whistling to his dog, bowed ito Mr.. Rivers,
and, with ga lurking devil in his eye,"
left the apartment.