The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-02-26

"A uay passed, Dut notning transplfeu
save maneuvers. have never tried so
hard to make myself attractive as on
this occasion, and felt that i had sue
ceeded when on the second morning she
greeted me with smile and extended
her hand to me rs 1 came from my
chamber. chatted and ratified on about
the town and its splendors, told of new
improvements, changing fashions,
crinoline and lovely bonnets, all of
which was listened to with evident in
terest. Still she would not speak, con-
found 1t ! 1 Itrembled for my spurs Some
thing must be done.
Mrs. Somers," said very suddenly,
will you allow me to look at the palm
of your hand :"
She extended her hand very readily,
and gazed upon it as though / were a
wizard engaged in some trick of necro-
nancy, involving the fate of the house
hold. Looking in her face,I relinquish-
ed her hand and sighed deeply. She APP
peared surprised, and seemed as if ex-
pecting me to say something.
You may well be surprised at my
conduct" l said, but your surprise
would be overwhelming could dare to
tell you the motive of it. 1 cannot do
this without compromising others. /
may say, however, that in your hand 1
discern power that may be employed
for immense good. There are lines in it
that N, oat anH ,livarUa onI oop,a mann
together again without meeting. There
is mystery !" L looked at the hand
again, rubbed my forehead, as though L
were much perplexed, and went out alb
ruptly. saw her face depicted in the
glass as passed out, and 1t bore the eX-
preston of great wonder.
How far is it to the top of Rattlesnake
Hill, Somers p 1 asked at dinner time,
as we sat at the table.
'About fifteen miles why ?" he re-
piled and asked.
6 Because 1 am going there tonight.
must be there precisely at midnight.
am going to gather a charm from the
old Rattler's cave, through which 1
hope to obtain treasure that will COM
pensate for all trouble and danger"
"You cannot go, y said he, anxiously,
the way is one of peril. 1t is full of
ravines and pitfalls, and the serpents are
very numerous"
saw that his wife shared in his un-
easiness, and her looks said don't go, :"
palmer than words could speak.
$50 much the better for my pur-
pose" said "were it not attended
with danger, that which L seek would
be valueless. shall go; and more
than this, 1 shall walk !"
Somers and his wife exchanged looks,
which interpreted to mean: Well,
isn't he a queer one !" and after few
moments at the table left the house,
telling Somers that 1 should be back by
morning. 1 accordingly struck out for
Rattlesnake Hill, accompanied by his
uttered blessing and his wife's inarticu-
late benison but when 1 reached the
first brook, 1 made my cane into a
jointed fishing rod, and INDUCED in the
finest sport. The trout never bit with
more avidity; and having caught a
good string, L carried them to a farm
house not far away, and had them cook
ed for my supper. Late in the evening,
/ returned to my friend Somers, and en-
joyed fine nights rest upon the hay
NOW. At daylight aroused the fami-
ly by knocking at the door, but greet
ed them with simple shake of the
hand, gazing abstractedly at Mrs.
Somers. She looked troubled.
Somers," said I, "please leave me a
moment with your wife. 1t is a matter
you may sometime know, but not at
present. Have you not heard of my
wonderful developments as seery"
He said he had not, but, without ex-
planning, pushed him out and closed
the door. 1 knew that he would listen,
however.
" Mrs. Somers, :" said l, my mysteri-
Gus movements are fast growing to a
climax. last night plucked dragon Is
tongue from the mouth of rattlesnake's
den; 1 laughed with the midnight
echoes, and stood face to face with the
darkness, in order to gain what l sought.
Your hand, please; thank you. The
lines are brought nearer together, and it
needs but one word of yours in response
to an incantation that shall utter, to
make my mystic charm complete. You