The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-01-23


keep watch the last night of the siege,as
we'll as the first. You cannot tell what
this night may bring forth"
So you are not discouraged, | am
glad to find" said Ingram, "and still
hold TO your intention for the enight. But
don't you intend to go to Miss Clair
monts this evening? know you are
invited, and your watch can begin after
the party ends"
mot I, indeed,' responded the son of
Galen, not /, indeed. / am not quite
boy enough for that. 1t is all well
enough for you youngsters, who have no
turn for rational pursuits-but a pipe
and tankard for me, against all the
gatherings together of flirting boys and
girls, and gambling papas and mammas,
that were ever held. shall repair to
my post early in the evening, and main
tain it unseduced and unterrified."
And 'faith believe that / will bear
you company, DOCTOR" said Ferguson.
my wife has not got over the cold she
got at that slelghing party, and intends
going to bed instead of the party"
Do so, by all means,' replied Hol-
combe, land dare say that, besides
having rational time together,w shall
have a good account to give of the ghost
by the time these boys are ready to come
home; only, suppose, if we see the
ghost both at the same time, you will
expect to go snacks in the supper"
"To be sure shall, " said the major,
laughing, we will be partners in the
battle and in the spoils."
The party soon after dispersed and
went their several ways. And it will
not surprise my readers to learn that In
grams way led him to the residence of
Helen. He just looked in to see if he
could be of any service. He found the
fair girl in some little perturbation.
What goes wrong, my love?" he
inquired" has the governor sent an
excuse, or has la belle Wilton turned
sulky and refused to come ?"
"Worse than either, assure you,
Charles" she replied. 81 could spare
dozen governors and beauties better than
black Domingo, who has selected this
particular occasion to fall sick, and to
throw me back on the mercies of James,
who is hardly equal, as you know, to
such an emergency"
"That is unlucky, indeed" said In
gram, "but my John is quite at your
service, such as he is; and he is certain
ly competent to the ministerial, if not to
the executive, duties of such an "occa-
sion." .i
"Thank you," she answered, she will
be of great use and / gladly accept your
offer. But what will the doctor and
Major Ferguson do without him to at
tend them-since you say that they are
determined not to smile upon me ?"
90, never fear for them, !" replied In
gram; "John shall brew them a double
supply of punch, and leave their supper
ready laid for them, and they can wait
upon themselves fast enough. They are
too old campaigners to be disconcerted
by a trifle."
"They shall be better treated than they
deserve, then, for not coming to me-"
said she, for will send poor Peter over
to them with their supper, and with a
bowl of punch have been superintend-
ing myself for the evening. So you will
be good enough to let me have John as
soon as you can spare him.n
|" He shall be at your command di-
rectly," he replied, "as soon as he can
mt l,i,,ooalf l., ,,wo,,a, tr;D, Doth. ,,,;ll
answer all the purpose for the doctor and
4 Ferguson"
After few more passages between the
lovers, which do not think particularly
concern my readers, the captain took
his leave of his ladye-love, and proceed
ed to his quarters. beg that no unkind
imputatiOns may be laid upon my Helen
in consequence of her holding this fes-
tivity on the eve of the important Sat
urday, for the arrangements had been
made for it before she knew any thing OF
her lovers troubles. And as they were
still secret, and as she had as yet no
acknowledged interest in them, If they
were public, there was obviously moth.
ing to be done but TO go on. But the
dear girl had suffered great dlstress and
anxiety about it, especially as the week
drew to al end without any tldlngs oi
the missing volume. But she had put
a good face upon the matter, and would
go through her hospitable duties with
the best grace she could.