The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-09-24


partook heartily. 1
"I have not enjoyed any food so
much for long time" he said rising
"many thanks. Now, before / go will
you just put that shawl over your shoul-
ders and stand there "a moment ~ point
ing to a spot where the light fell
fully.
The shawl was Rob Roy tartan, one
of Hebe's, which she wore out of doors
when it was cold, thereby unconscious
ly making herself very telling object
in the landscape. She wondered, but
took up her shawl and stood as directed,
while smile and blush gathered on
her face.
"Thank you; that will do. I'll call
again next week."
Hebe reported the visit and the mes
sage of the tea-man to her mistress. 1t
must have been him noticed going up
the road,' said Miss Elliot; i" he has
quite the look of a gentleman. L Won
der what brought him to this, or If he is
doing it for wagerp j have heard of
such thing"
But" said Hebe, I" he would not be
tired and hungry for wager. L was
sorry for him he ate like man who
hadn't tasted meat for a week. !"
Poor creature ~
&C He is coming back next week; he is
determined to succeed. He says his tea
is something extraordinary"
Determination is all very well"
Miss Elliot said, elf it were thing
worth doing, but he'll never make
business of selling tea from door to door;
no one can put back the worlds clock.
should like to see him. she said mus
ingly; "let me know next time he
comes. Perhaps could get some sort
of situation for him, and L might judge
better what he is fit for if saw him."
she thought.
But the next time he came Lizzie was
at her fathers, and the time after she
was also from home. Mrs. Elliot, how
ever, happened to stray into the kitchen
while he was eating his bread and
milk.
"And who may you be? 2" she said,
looking him over through her blue
glasses.
He rose Immediately and said, I'm
selling tea, ma'am, and 1 will be happy
if / can supply YOU"
"Well, as you are here I dare say l
will have to take pound, but you need
not come back. Idoubt you have made
a mistake in taking to that business, my
man."
$50 people tell me,'' he said quite
briskly, "but first class article and
minimum profits tell in time, and have
not heavy shop-rent nor many shop
men to pay"
"That's true said the old lady. "Well,
give me pound of your best"
Many thanks, ma'am. L happen
Just to be sold out of my prime quality
to-day, but if you can wait till next
week I'll bring it then"
:" can watt" said Nelly, Ct could
wait till next year." she said to Hebe
as the man disappeared. 81 took it as
a charity merely"
Next week Miss Elliot was at home,
and Hebe let her know when the tea
man came.
"Send him in here" she said. She
was alone, John and Nelly having gone
into town that day. She turned round
from the window where she was looking
out when she heard the man enter the
room: he had his hat in one hand and
the ordered pound of tea in the other,
she observed. The tea he put down on
the table near the door and stood there.
81 sent for YOU" she said, to see and
speak to you. 1t seems to me that you
are wasting time in your present en-
ployment, and if could Good gra-
cious, Mr.. King ~ she exclaimed as she
came nearer and got a full view of
him.
" Miss Elliot ~ he said in humble low
tones.
She stood transfixed for an instant,
then her impulse was to sweep past him
as Dido swept past Eneas in the shades,
but pity held her.
How is it that you are reduced to
this ?'' she said when she had recovered
from her intense surprise, cor are you
reduced 20
81 am reduced" he said almost in q
whisper.
g. But how is it how is it? You have
your profession - and looking in his