The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-03-05

YOU snOb ue, yOu kHoW Ciieu iN0u-
ben, beginning to dislike the steady
aspect of the pistols muzzle placed so
close to him, and which contraction
of muscle would cause to belch out
death to him.
"Would that prolong your life one
minute ?" cried Harry. "Go my finger
is on the trigger, and the spasm of hold
ing 1t so long there will, If you stay an
other minute, compel me to fire."
&C Nell is my wife - she must come
with me !" said Reuben, doggedly.
We will settle that hereafter" re-
turned Henry. $50 from here now,
you must and shall, or within half an
hour you will be under four feet of
ground in the plantation, so help me
heaven 7"
Harry almost shrielled the last words,
and they had their effect, for Reuben
rose up and said:
"Well, If must, must; but / will
have you and her up for bigamy, you
know. I'll be here at daylight with
constable; perhaps in an hour, perhaps
sooner"
"When you will--but you must go
now"
Reuben rose slowly up and walked
out of the cottage, accompanied by Har-
ry, to the coach road leading to the
nearest village, and when Reuben was
far enough on his way thither to render
his return unlikely, he hurried back to
the cottage, made Nelly put on her bon
net and shawl, and dress the children
also. When this was done, he took
them under his charge and went direct
to the farmer who employed him = a
man of considerable intelligence and ex-
perience. His employer, who was about
retiring to rest, was astonished to see
him, and perceiving that something was
wrong, ushered them into his parlor,
where he could listen undisturbed to.
what they had to relate.
Something wrong has transpired,"
he said, as soon as they were alone
" You want my advice; now, tell me
reserve nothing"
"Cheer up, Nelly, dearestl' said
Harry, tenderly, to his wife. "Tell Mr..
Grant all; he will help us out of this
strait
My story is not long, though sad
one" exclaimed Nelly. Oh, sir, if
you can only help us, it will save me
from death, and my dear, dear Harry
and children from misery"
There, there, dry your tears, and go
on with your story. All will go right L
dare say"
Well, sir, Harry, here my oh,
heaven Harry Milford and l were
brought up together in Manningtree,
and from children loved each other
dearly. When we were old enough TO
know what love meant, we plighted our
troth together, and vowed to be true to
each other. Well, sir, my father fell
into difficulties, and Harry's mother
was poor. A situation offered down
here, and he came to take it, After he
was gone, Reuben Gale, the son of old
Gale--n
What! the son of old Ralph Gale,
who kept the Bell and Wagon so many
years ?" asked Mr.. Grant.
"The same, sir,' returned Nelly:
"he took fancy to me and asked me
to have him, but / refused him; 1
would not listen to him, and always
avoided him-indeed / did, sir. But
he had great control over his father,
and he set him to work to persuade me,
but would not give ear to him, for l
loved Harry too well, and was sworn
to him. Well, sir, old Ralph Gale was
fathers landlord, and father owned him
great deal of money, and he threat
ened to put father in Jail unless con-
sented to marry Reuben. 1 was not
fifteen then, sir; and L prayed to father
not to urge me to consent. 1 told him
would beg for him rather than would
marry the man l now hated; but they
were all like stones to my prayers, for l
prayed to them all. Then father was on
a sick bed and the men came to take
him to Jail and then-oh, heaven !
then they gave me the choice of marry
ing Reuben or killing my father by
sending him to prison; and-I-con-
sented-and did marry Reuben"
You did ?''
'Yes, sir; it is true-we were mar
ried ~ and here Nellie burst into q
paroxysm of tears.
This is indeed bad job," said Mr..
Grant. But tell me what followed.
IT,. - \