The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-10-27
Gbe Grnes, Mem BLOOMFIELD, 1pa.

every feature. Did she feel flash OF tri-
umphant pride that she was preferred be-
fore her cousinsP Naughty girl but Mary
was not perfect.
AS the shades of night approached, Mary
bolted the outer doors, re-assumed her
kitchen garb, and having put the tired
boys to bed, her dancing heart was forcing
song from her lips, when she was again
startled into sudden silence by loud rap
ping at the front door, Gould it be Will
liam Her song ceased, but her heart was
dancing still. She took candle, and tim
idly opened the door, when gust of wind
blew out the light and left her in darkness
and fear.
"Does Mr.. James Curtis live here ?"
said a deep-toned but not unpleasant
voice. a
Yes, sir-be so good as to wait till I
light the candle"
On her return the man was standing in
side the door, but did not wait for her to
speak.
"Is Mr.. Curtis at home ?"
"NO, sir" said Mary, with trembling
voice.
"Any of the family ?"
Mary hesitated, for she did not dare to
inform him that she was alone. The man
interpreted her fears and said, with
pleasant smile, 'd
81 see you are alone, my girl, but don't
be afraid my name is Benjamin Curtis
am brother of Mr.. James Curtis, and
have come to see him."
The rough open-hearted frankness of
his manner, and more especially strong
resemblance to her uncle, which Mary dis
covered whenever she dared to look him in
the face, convinced her that he was not
imposing on her. Besides, she knew that
she had an "uncle Ben" somewhere in the
world, though she had never seen him.
So she invited him in.
He was the oldest of the three brothers,
as we'll as the most enterprising and had
in early life yielded to a passion for the
sea, upon which he spent about twenty
years. in almost every capacity, from the
cabin boy of a fishing smack TO the captain
OF Canton packet-ship. .l
He was true man of the world-a keen
observer, abundantly intelligent, and an
honest out-spoken talker full Eof jovial
generosity. Nearly twenty years had pass
ed since he last visited his native city and
he had now just arrived from South Ameri-
ca, where he had been long time engaged
in commerce.. AS old age approached, he
piued for his native land and the friends of
his youth and had just completed arrange
ments for the transfer Of his handsome for
tune to the city of his birth. The object
of his present visit was the permanent in
vestment of his property in stocks and real
estate. He was without family, having
never been married. Such is the abridged
biography of "uncle Ben." Mary and her
cousins had often heard wonderful stories
of his adventures, and their lively imagina-
tions had thrown lively romance around
his name and history. 1t was not strange,
then, that Mary's curiosity was excited to
the highest pitch at his unexpected intro
duction. SO that she forgot for time the
extraordinary event of the afternoon.
Having warmed his hands over the fire
for some time in thoughtful silence, he al
length inquired, 4
Where is brother Jim, tonight? ?"
He is spending the evening at Col
Grants in C-street."
Jim used to live in C--street himself
in a fine house; what is he living in this
box for?" Hasn't broke down, has heP''
He-he has been unfortunate" said
Mary, with hesitation.
A long pause followed, which was broken
by Mary
6 Will you lay off your cloak, Uncle p''
"Uncle !" said he, with start of sur
prise, and then cycling her from head to
foot, added, .Hf
" Are You daughter of brother James2'
No, sir; but am a daughter of your
other brother, Joseph, and my name is
Mary"
The sober, business aspect of uncle Ben's
face changed in moment into smile of
surprise and affection, as he exclaimed,
"Is this little MollP" and jumping from
his chair he planted kiss on her glowing
cheek, that echoed through the room like
percussion cap,
"There v' said he, "the last time was
in P, just as l was leaving the city, you
was in your mothers arms. / discharged
at you just such a broadside as that, and
then had to scud under bare poles before
laundering squall p
I'M