The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-11-13
A Gltl,s Adventure with a RObber.


daughters, Ellen and Maude. The first
was about twenty-three years of age,
while the latter was nineteen. The farm
er was thrifty, well-to-do man, though
by no means rich but the family lived
In excellent style, and the daughters
had received good educations.
Both of these girls were pretty, but
Maude was perhaps the handsomer.-
There was no lack of attentive young
gentlemen at the farm, though the
neighborhood was not very thickly set
tied. But "beauty draws us with a
single hair" and the young ladies were
the centre of gay little circle of friends,
mostly young gentlemen, farmers sons
in the immediate neighborhood, and
some even from Easton.
By-and-by it came about that an
earnest, handsome and sturdy young
farmer fell desperately in love with
Maude, and proposed to her. On her
part, she loved Harry Masters above all
the young fellows she knew, and told
him frankly he might speak to her
father. In the meantime she confided
the matter to her mother, a kind hearted
sympathetic parent, who saw no objec-
ton to the choice of her daughter, but
all was left to the father to decide.
Farmer Henderson was straight-for-
ward and open -mouthed man. That is
he said exactly what he meant, no more
or less, and that he uttered freely. When
Harry Masters called him on one side
and told his especial errand, ,as to Maude,
the father said, "Well, Mr.. Masters,
Maude is young. wanted Ellen to be
married first she's oldest, and 1 have
got marriage portion of twelve hun
dred to give her; but L haven't laid by
anything yet for Maude."
" I have got pretty well beforehand,
Mr.. Henderson, for man but twenty
four years old, and we shall be able to
do very well, have no doubt.''
" You mean you'll take Maude with
out any marriage portion ?" said the
father.
Yes, sir, very gladly"
"Well, it's pleasant to hear you say
SO, because it shows your honest affec-
ton, Mr.. Masters; but / am too proud,
though simple farmer, to let Maude
marry till I can give her thousand or
two towards housekeeping"
I" 1t is not worth waiting for, sir, as
long as we don't really need it, and both
are content
"Then, again, I'd rather Maude
wouldn't marry until her sister is mar
ried, because she's so much older, do
you see, it will actually make her an
old maid. 1t isn't fair, Mr.. Masters
" Ellen is very popular with the gen
tlemen, and will soon be married." said
the other.
That's just what have said to my
self, and then I shall begin to pick up
marriage portion for Maude.'
II trust that is the only objection,
Mr.. Henderson," said Harry.
"Why, yes, you are promising and
respectable young man, and come of
good family" said the farmer; "but 1
can't let Maude go until get together a
respectable marriage portion to give
with her hand"
Perhaps you will think more favora-
bly, about it" said thelover,. =" I'll speak
with you again.
"All right, Mr., Masters" said the old
gentleman.
Harry and Maude were very fond of
each other and now talked over the mat
ter very seriously. Maude could not
blame her father, and did not like the
idea of going to Harry without proper
portion to contribute to their joint part
nership in domestic life.
"Never mind, Harry" said the hand
some young girl "Ellen will soon be
married. 1 have pretty good reason for
knowing"
All, but then your father says he
wants time to pick up marriage por-
ton for you, and that will take three or
four years, perhaps"
"That is a good while, is it not,
Harry ?" said Maude, just blushing a
little, for fear it sounded forward and
bold.
It's ages ~ said the young fellow
" Think of waiting three years why
we shall be old folks by that time ~
Not quite so bad as that" said
Maude.
I'm sure my hair will be gray by
that time!"
Nonsense, Harry Now you are
joking"
was never more in earnest in my