The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-11-20

slle Cnunceu 10 Stumble. hueellnB anu
putting her hands behind her, she seiz-
ed the stalk of the magic vegetable, and
essayed to pull it up by the roots. 1t
proved u task of greater difficulty than
she had expected, and found 1t necessary
to apply her whole strength to the un-
dertnking.
My goodness |" she thought, "what
- tough pull for husband And if /
don't succeed, shall be an old maid-so
Hattie said. My how ridiculous must
look l wouldn't have any of the men
see me, especially Phil Lane, for"
Here the obstinate root yielded, and
Josie fell forward among the wet weeds.
She sprang up in an instant triumphant
ly grasping her prize
{" wonder who will be the first to
speak to me now ?" she thought. Ugh
Suppose some ghostly voice should call
to me out Of"
Hello not so fastl cried voice
behind her, and she felt hand laid up
on her shoulder.
With wild shrek, she darted away
in her fright taking the opposite direc-
ton from the house.
She heard swift footsteps pursuing,
and the two flying figures rapidly made
the circuit of the garden, while Tom,
looking on at the chase, fairly yelled
with delight.
AT length, treacherous vine caught
about Jose's feet, and she stopped short
and desperately faced her pursuer.
"Philip LaneP
g Josie -
Her face, pale before, now became
crimson with modification, which rap
idly changed to anger.
" Mr.. Lane" she said, hotly, "I am
yet to learn the meaning of this-this
most extraordinary conduct ~
"Why, josie had no idea it was
you! took you for a cabbage-thief!"
Indeed! And who gave you the
right to intrude upon private premises,
and-frighten people half to death
and
Her assumed dignity was fast failing,
and tears began to start into her eyes.
Come, Josie, don't be angry with
me. 1t was all mistake. And how
was to recognize you in such posi-
ton ?"
She drew her waterproof close around
her, and involuntarily pulled the hood
over the clustering curl-papers.
" You ,OW forgive me, Josie, and shake
hands, won't youY 1t is so long since L
have seen you-three whole months"
No, sir, l will not shake hands with
you-at least not tonight" she conclud-
ed, rather lamely, as she met the plead
ing eyes fixed upon her own in the
moonlight.
"Oh, well, tomorrow then. But, Jo-
sic, what on earth could you be wanting
with a-with vegetables, at this time of
night ?"
Oh, you see, it's Hallow-Eve," said
Tom, coming up, with broad grin on
his interesting physiognomy She was
trying her fortune, you know. The first
man who spoke to her after she had
pulled up the cabbage was to be her fu-
ture husband, you know. Isn't that it,
Josie ?"
But Josie was rapidly retreating to-
ward the house, where, upon reaching
her own room, she burst into hysterical
weeping, and made solemn vow to box
Toms ears the first thing in the morn
ing, and also not to speak to Philip Lane
while he remained in c.
How she kept the latter vow was ap
parent next evening, when she formed
one of group of girls who were gather
ed in Hattie Lanes room, listening with
intent interest to Aunt Mary's account
of Barbaa's extraordinary adventure of
the preceding night.
8 1t was just like Philip" said she sto
arrive at bedtime, and bring his friend
with him, without giving me word of
notice; and the consequence was that
there wasn't so much as a fire in the
spare chamber. Jane had gone to bed,
and all L could do was to put on plenty
of blankets, and make them take some
hot cofiee-they had had supper at
Cookies, 1t seems. And then, while Mr..
Stanard retired, Phil went over to Mrs.
Booker's for the girls, taking the back
way for shortness-and so they missed
each other. l heard Hattie and Barbara
stealing up stairs, to escape a scolding,
suppose, for staying out so late, and 1
thought it might be just as well to let
them retire without telling them of the
arrival thin1ytn x.,Ia "a