The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-12-08

I
manly in his manners, and gave as an ex-
excuse for the interest he took, that he was
born Yankee and therefore very fond of
inventions.
Although there were other teachers,
discovered that he fingered most frequently
in my vicinity, and seemed more interested
in my conversation than that of my COM
panions. I was young at the time, and no
doubt had the usual desire of my sex to
please. felt fattered, perhaps, at his
respectful attention, and took particular
pains to make my observations on "what
knew about sewing machines" as intelli-
gent as my limited powers permitted. He
soon become frequent visitor, and some
times when business was dull would linger
and converse on other subjects besides the
technicalities of the trade. found that
he was we'll educated, and travelled consid-
erably in his own country, and knew, as
they say, "men and things" His inti-
mate friendship with one of the firm pre-
vented any remarks as to the frequency of
his visits and he made the additional
apology for possible intrusion, that he was
very much at his leisure, and sometimes
thought of connecting himself with the
business. must admit that l was quite
interested in him, and felt pleased when
sometimes he would bring me some favor
ite book about which we had conversed and
exchanged views, or ask my opinion on
some magazine article that was engrossing
public attention. l had never given
thought to his relations in life--whether he
was married or single he had simply been
to me pleasant episode among my daily
labors and the flash of his blue eyes and
his frank smile, when saluting me, at
first considered as merely among the other
usual incidents of my daily life.
1t was during somewhat extended con-
versation, one day, some weeks after our
first acquaintance, that the thought flashed
across my mind that he had seen trouble
and was unhappy in connection with his
affections. His opinions Of the female sex,
l discovered upon probing him little,
were not very enthusiastic or rose-colored.
Sometimes, when speaking of marriage
and its relations, thought his remarks
rather cynical and bitter and once or
twice he criticised some of my young and
fashionable pupils very severely, seeming
to have very poor opinion of them as to
their usefulness as probable wives and
mothers naturally always defended my
sex and once when Ilaughingly expressed
my belief that if l ever should see the
woman destined to be his wife, it would no
doubt be one of those same pretty, useless,
fashionable creatures against whom he
rallied SO bitterly-a look of pain passed
across his face, that set me to thinking that
l had touched sore spot in his expert
ence. i-' ih 'A
We had become very good friends, event
ually indeed, am afraid that should l
confess the truth, we indulged little in
harmless and pleasant filtration. know
that was always pleased to see him and
I am sure that he often fingered beside me
in manner savoring a little of devotion.
Still this was only on the surface; and grew
more and more certain from melancholy
that often possessed him, that there was
some secret connected with his domestic
life, of an unhappy character.
At last, from an accidental remark Of one
of my employers,I discovered the Skeleton
in his closet" He was married man, but
separated from his wife. l think that felt
little panied at the information and /
certainly could not help the GOODNESS of my
manner when next met him. He saw the
change, and asked with his eyes for an ex-
PLANTATION, though not with his tongue.
Had he taken the latter liberty, it is very
possible that might have told him, and
then-this story would never have been
written AS II was, a few hours thoroughly
calmed me showed me something Of the
imprudence of which had been guilty, in
making SO close an acquaintance with
man about whom knew literally nothing
and reused all the woman within me, in
pride and dim suspicion of revenge.
That revenge was much nearer than /
could possibly have dreamed and unlike
most revenges no sorrow is entaied by the
recollection. But of that anon. Following
the discovery, the first thing did was to
enlarge it BY ascertaining particulars how,
is matter ofno consequence in connection
with the history. What additionally dis.
covered, however Is Of consequence.
He had married q petted, wayward, beau
tiful girl-tbe only child of wealthy parents
who had by injudicious management fos-
tered every weakness Of her character. He
had formed her aonnaintanca. and married