, 1877-12-09

| You'll long for poor p1aguV Ben then, Know
| and Ben here NOT only pulled tue cnrl aea1n gan
She caught him, aud wis IN the act
Of administering punishment by q box
on tho ear, when lie lcapcd over her STOPPING
| form, and ran upstairs to bed.
dressed herself with much care and ncatness.
Ben met her as she came to the Htchen.aoor:
| and Mrs. Dale, who was already down, began
to cut large slices Of Observation-Disclosures, and told
| him to he quiet untt get his breakfast.
Susan went to sec that her basket Of poultry,
| eggs, ami butter was ready packed.
"Dont let tic ducks go for less than 81 siS
| shil1ings the couple, child" said Mrs. Dale,
| s.gnd get rs much as you can for tho fowls.
Ducks urc III season, and ought to fetch good
| price,
| tsusan's duck hersclf,'' chined in Ben.
| '!Iou're goose, ut all cvcnts,'' rcoincd
| Susan, Though I shouldn't like to have the
selling Of you; for you wouldn't fetch muct y
| And she sat down opposite the boy apd began
her breakfast, the farn-ser7ants coming in soon
| after to get theirs.
s'Tumn,as started bctimes," said Ben; ~
| heard hin, go. Make haste, Susy-cat away.''
''Therc's no hurry, my dear" said Mrs. Dale,
| as she stirred her porridge; "but you eau go
and see II Jer7y's all rcady, and bring him
roun1.s'
Jerry was the horse, Of respectable and ancient
| appearance and somewhat clumsy build, on
l. which, Sllsan usually malle her journeys to mar
| accustomed to ride about the farm with her
grandfather since she quite child, aud she
| was rather impatient Of Jerry's slow PAGES,
| though sue knew them to be necessity on mar
| kct!lay.
at the kitche,-door with mock dignity.
t. s'B1css the boy!" exclaimed his mother;
tho's fill OF fun, declare. Come and help
Susan with her baskets"
derry was led to the mounting stone, which
e*c in ffn wa settled
saddle, The baskets adjusted, and the horse aul-
bled away up the wooded lane.
''Think OF me wheu you meet the robbers,
Susy," sauea!cd Ben after her, as he pretended
to be overcome with grief 1T her departure.
Susan rode along, enjoying the fresh morning
and the song.of the birds. The dew twinkled
on the grass and hcrbage, aal the sun glintel
through the trees overhead; While the scent OF
the hay> now bcin. made into ricks, filled the
air with It's delicious fragrance.
When Susan turned into tho high-road she
found it full Of carts, horscmen, and farmers,
all bent on the same crrand as herself
It was Of no moment whether she arrived at
Hazetou sooner than her neighbors, so she took
no pains to urge OIL the steadY-goipg old horse,
aud she was soon left alone at the foot OF
steep ascent.
Before many minutes had elapsed, gentle
man OH fine bay horse overlook her, and, rctIl-
ing him in with difficulty, asked If he were
right for Uazleton, anu if it werc markct-day
there
Susan looked round at him, and was struck
with the handsome aluillnc face and piercing
dark eyes which seemed to read her through.
Dressed in tho best fashion Of tho time, his
horse carefully groomcd till its glossy coat
shone brightly in the sunlight, he made mark
ed contrast to Susan on her thick-madc, clumsy
ANIMAL
ssYou arc bound for the market, too, little
maid." inquired the gentleman, raising his hat
as he spoke. .
sYcs sir. All the folks alo going there
almost, this morning, think" answered Susan
sbSly. .,,o.o, ch,a,.o,, md
butter?" her intcrloettor went on to say. aDo
ron like the business Of buying and selins:''
TT depends on the prices get for them, u re-
turned Susan quickly.
The gentleman laughed, and stopped for a
dering whnt vcll-bTed mau, on q thorough
bred horse, could want at uazlcton on market
dav.
While she muscd on these points, he again
overlook h:r-
.sMay ask your name?'' he said.
ssMy name is Susan Stisiolph," sho answered
simply; aud, though she would have given much
to ask him the same question, she refrained
from innate feelings Of courtesy.
As if he OWNED her thoughts, he said:
s'My name is Hamilton st. john. Do you
like it,
.svcry much; and what do you call your
tsWildtire; and famous stepperhe is! Good
by, Susan; hope you'll get good prices for
your fowls and ducks,'' Aud away he sped ut q
tremendous pace
The M arSet was becoming very full when Su-
san reached Hazlcton. and many sounds Of life
resoundcd on all sides.
Here stoud ranges Of stalls covered with fruit,
heaps OF 1egctablc6 being piled behind III glort-
GUS confusion.
Baskets and coops containing live poultry
lined the interior Of the naarkct-place. Farther
On came the pe1s full Of sheep and lambs, then
sizes, aud shapes, colts and ponies, grouped in a
place set apart for the purpose.
Tins, pans, croclsery, and wooden yes
sells attracted tho housewives to the
centre Of the market; and TOYS and sweets
stalls kept their venaers perpetually Oh
the alert, so attractive were these wares to the
children @! the community.
Susan havia.y met Thomas, and given Jerry
into his charge, entered tnc market, and did
her best 70 effect the sale Of her poultry; while
the fartnins-,nan undertook tho vending OF the
COWS, submitting his bargains to Susan's iudg-
ment before concluding Them.
The day soon came to 4 close; all tneir mar
kctingss were attended with good succcss, and
Susan having made her purchases at the dra-
PERSIAN old friend OF her aunts. ut whose house
she usually dlncd on these occasions-conccaled
tier money, to the amount OF thirty pounds in
gold anl notes, Ill the secret pock-
Ita u tic4 6&'t. =, LfulposciJ iuaIe 10 sLOW
away these treasures. and mounted Jerry
for her ride ilornewards. Very blithe
Was Susan ct the result Of her days work. The
COWS had fctcncd capital price, and the heller
alone remained unpurchascd- Her poultry was
all sold, and not i Pat Of butter remained in her
basket.
Susan determined to return BY a lane which
wound cireuitously from the Town OF Hazleton
to the borders Of Dnglc Farm. By this she
would avoid the society Of several half-tpsT
turner's and rough hcrseuen, whose proximity
was very undesirable. Jerry stepped out as was
his wont when he scented his stable in the far
distance; and Susan hu'nmed to herself as she
looked on the beauty Of the evening and tue
scenery around.
Birds were singing their soft evening lays;
shadows fell elarlsly across the road from the
ovcrhangluE bows; the last rays OF the sun
cleaned BRIGHTLY through every gap IN the
hedge; and flecey clouds, tinted with the gay
co.ors OF 4 parrots wing, loa1ed away eastward
in the pa!c-blue sky.
Susan had not proceeded two miles when the
a5 she turned to look up the lane to see who it
morning rode up to her side aud greeted her
with a polite bow.
"Well met, Susan! Why, you're late from
market. hope you've been successful"
"Pretty we]l,'' curtly replied the GIRL who
was inclined usually to be reserved to strangers.
'sWhy, you've an empty basket, ] perceive.
Do you know I was not SO far of as You might
think; saw you while you were making your
bargains" said the gentleman looking straight
at Susan with knowing look.
19or