The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-12-03


the father being of Dutch and the moth
of English descent.
They had one son who was yet but
boy of fifteen, but he had already nc
quired an admirable proficiency in POM
posity. conceit, selfindulgence, and
skepticism, thus honoring both his
nationaities. He was handsome boy,
tall, well grown, fair, aud not without
talent. If he had been plain John
Smith, a carpenters son, he would have
been considered boy of fair ability who
might reasonably hope to succeed to his
fathers trade, and to succeed at it; be-
ing Master Friedrich Clarence Lenox
Burkhardt, with a genealogy that would
reach half way round the world, and
purse that would reach the other half
way, it was customary to speak of him
as young man of transcendent ability.
The Burkhardt estate was by far the
most imposing in Saxton. 1t stood on
the summit of low hill about half
mile from the Wilson's cottage, and its
grounds extended down to the dale on
all sides.
Hall by gentleman whom, Mrs. Burk-
hardt, lofty as she was, did not venture
to contradict.
AT the time of which we speak, the
family were travelling, having taken
fancy to go to England for few months
and the Hall was in charge of domestics
and superannuated second cousin of
the proprietor, one Miss Margaret Fair
field, who had apartments in a secluded
corner of the building, and lived there
quite invisible to the gay company that
came and went.
She was nearly sixty years of age and
in feeble health. Mrs. Burkhardt used
to say, when any person had the bad
taste to ask for her relative, that poor
Cousin Margaret was not able to see
company.
In truth, Miss Margaret was the scion
of a meSdlliance, as the family consider
ed it, and would have utterly ignored
had it been possible; but since she was
well known to be relative, the only al
tentative was to hide her. She lived in
the great house somewhat uncomfort-
able life, not associating much with the
family, never seeing their company, yet
not allowed to make companions of the
seamstress or housekeeper
1t was she whom Rose Paulers moth
er had been sent for to nurse, and little
Rose could just recollect the pretty
rooms where she had spent a few days
with her mother and gentle invalid,
the wide windows looking out on gar
dens, the silence, the sweetness, the
plenty. The mothers death had been
tragical, though the child knew it not.
AS she felt unwell the doctor, on calling
to see his patient, had prescribed also
for the nurse. Mrs. Burkhardt had
taken the prescriptions to theapothecary
when she went out for her daily ride
Such an act of condescention looked
well and as though she were christianity
anxious for every one under her roof
The apothecary was old and dull, so it
was said, and he made mistake in put
ting up the nurses medicine. Mrs.
Paulier took her powder on lying down
at night, and in five minutes was seized
with convulsions. Before morning, she
was dead.
OF course there was great stir in the
house, but Mrs. Burkhardt kept the
matter close. Since the mischief was
done, it was just as well to have as little
talk about it as possible. The doctor
was discreet, and SO were the house
keeper and Miss Fairfield; and it was
given out, and believed, that the stran-
ger had died of cramps. Had any rela-
tive appeared, or any near friend who
might have authority to inquire, the
truth would have been communicated to
him but no such person was forthcom-
ing. Mrs. Paulier was buried at the ex-
pense of her employers, and, as we have
before said, the child was sent to the
poor-house. Miss Fairfield had in vain
protested against this latter step, and
begged that Rose might be given to
her.
g could keep her here with me, and
she would be company for me, )" the poor
lady said. "She never need be any
trouble to the family. I'm sure there's
room enough. Besides''-
g object to it," interrupted Mrs.
Burkhardt. with unusual asperity. t'Her