The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-03-31
Qbe Gintes, Nep BLOOMFIELD, lDa.



he. had no great liking in his early day, he
now took to i vigorously as the only amuse-
ment at hand, and became no unworthy
disciple of Isaac. The worst effect of this
new life of isolation was, that he became
somewhat negligent in his habits took to
smoking great deal, and made his tobac-
conist's account good deal longer than
his tailor's. He had still many old friends
and connections at distance, with whom
he might have spent half the year if he had
pleased but with his first pique with the
world general, he had fixed himself pur-
posely as far out of their reach as possible
travelling was expensive (railways as yet
were not); assistance in his clerical duties
was not easily obtained; and so, partly
from choice, and partly from necessity,
his new life became one of almost utter
isolation.
OF course there were occasions when he
found 1t necessary to visit the neighboring
market-town--if it could be called neigh
boring when it was twelve miles off. The
.
little cottage, and a coach, passing daily,
would usually deposit him safely in High
Street in the course of the afternoon--al-
lowing an hour for waiting for it at the
crossing Gt was always after it's time), and
about two more, if the roads were not un-
usually heavy, for getting over the distance.
1t was not very luxurious style of travel
ing and Harry often preferred to walk in
one day and return the next 1t was one
of these rare visits that a soaking rain dis
couraged him from getting out for home
on foot, and giving the Regulator the un-
usual full complement of one inside and one
outside passenger. On the box was our
friend Harry, inside rather precise-look-
ing parsonage, whose costume, as far as
cloak allowed it to be seen, looked some
what more clerical than the curate's, the
latter being clad in smart upper benjamin
of the landlords of the Swan, finished
round the throat with very gay shawl of
his daughters, both forced upon him in
consideration of the weather; for Harry,
though by no means a frequent was a
highly favored gusest, and they would soon
er have kept him in No. for week gratis,
than have allowed him to turn out in the
rain without due protection.
Slower than usual that day was the Reg
ulator's progress through the mud and
against the wind, and briefer than usual
its drivers replies to Harry's good-humored
attempts at conversation.
"Whom have we inside, do you know,
Haines ?''
"Well, reckon it's what you'd call a
hopposition coach like" grunted out Joe
Haines.
Eh? don't exactly understand"
"Why, mean a Methodist bishop, or
sunni o. that sort. You see there was
great opening of the Independent College
here O. Tuesday, and there was lot o.
them gentry about the town, looking too
good to live 1 druv' five of 'em down
yesterday, and they gev' me shilling and
fourpenny amongst the whole lot. OIL
love them sort, don't l just?" and Joe
gave his nigh wheeler cut, illustrative of
his affection. 1t was longer speech than
he had made all the way, and relapsed into
gloomy silence.
The wind was driving right into their
teeth, and the evening closed fast, and
they were passing the last milestone to the
turning without any further attempt at
conversation, when there came first an
ominous crack from under their feet, then
jolt, an unsteady wavering motion for
few seconds, when, with scarcely time for
an exclamation, the coach toppled over on
one side, and Bolton found himself reclin-
ing on the portly person of Mr.. Joseph
Haines, who in his turn, was saved from
contusions by a friendly heap of mud by
the roadside Beyond broken axle, how
ever, no damage was done. The horses
were glad of any opportunity to stand still.
Bolton got up, shook himself, and laughed.
Joe Haines was proceeding to philosophize
rather strongly ON the accident, not exactly
after the manner of Job or Senaca, when
the inside passenger, putting his head out
of the only practicable window, begged him
to spare his oaths, and help him out of his
prison.
The stranger was soon extricated, and
the horses taken out and the driver re-
questing his passengers to await his return,
set off to seek assistance at the nearest cot
tage. AS to the coach proceeding further
until partially repaired, that was evidently
out Of the question; and so Harry observ-
ed to his companion, who did not appear
vary known In s,lch nnttare