The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-03-19
Ew BLOOMFIELD, PA, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1878.


highwaymen, who still infested the
roads, and who did not fail to make use
of market day as an available opportu-
nifty for plunder. AS the road was much
frequented on these particular days,
Susan went backwards and forwards
without fear of an encounter with these
uncomfortable gentry.
1t was the evening before market day.
Supper was just over at the farm, and
Mrs. Dale was busy removing il from
the large old.fashioned oak table in the
kitchen. A bright fire blazed on the
spacious hearth, though it was the end
of June, and old Mr.. Dale sat in the
chimney-corner under the immense
chimney, where collection of hams
hung in various stages of smoking.
"Now mind, Susan, that you be early
for market Tomorrow" said Mrs Dale,
as she seated herself.
"Never fear, aunt; I'll be off betimes.
Thomas must start first with the two
cows and the heifer, and I'll follow
when they're well on their way. Don't
you disturb yourself In the morning
aunt, dear"
"Bless the child; as if shouldn't be
up and about against your starting l
shall see to your breakfast, of course"
"I wish you'd let me go toe, o,mother,"
said Ben, the boy before mentioned, who
was whiting stick at the open door.
/ "No, no, no, my dear; you're too
young" replied his mother, while the
old man, removing his pipe, said, coax
ingly
"All in good time, my lad all in good
time. Let things come by degrees.
Mind your schooling now, and you II be
all the better farmer for little book
learning"
"But suppose Susy should meet
highwayman, grandfather. Then l
should be of use. Wouldn't tackle him
just! 1t would be fun"
Eh, lad, eh ! Young folks talk deal
o. nonsense" laughed the old man.
"Those gentry you speak Of are not so
easy to tackle, can tell YOU"
Did you ever meet one, grand
father?" asked the boy.
Ay, ay, and rode home as hard as
l could with him at my heels. But it's
no use O. frightening Susan, when she's
going tomorrow"
I'm not frightened, grandad," said
Susan, going up and kissing the old
man.
Dn1ah hnnn nd Nitnfr ~
unperceived, pulled one of Susan s curls,
which had tumbled from underneath her
cap.
Don't Ben, you plague !" cried Su-
san; and she tried to catch him as he
ducked away from her hand and jumped
over settle, where he sat on the floor
in the attitude of a frog, ready to leap
if she chose to follow him. But, seeing
that she took no heed, he crawled up to
her, and said:
"What would you do, Susy, if foot
pad came up and asked for your money
or your lifeY / wonder whether you'd
call me plague then? Ha, hal"
4" shouldn't want you," laughed Su-
Satn lOl l. SllOulO bIll nun w ~ oOCuO
his business, and ask what he'd do with
my life when he'd got it."
The next morning Susan rose at five,
and dressed herself with much care and
neatness. Ben met her as she came to
the kitchen door; and Mrs. Dale, who
was already down, began to cut large
slices of bread-and-butter,a and told him
to be quiet and get his breakfast.
! Susan went to see that her basket OF
poultry, eggs and butter was ready pack
| ed.
"There's no hurry, my dear" said
Mrs. Dale, as she stirred her porridge
but you can go and see if Jerry's all
ready, and bring him round"
Jerry was the horse, of respectable
and ancient appearance, and somewhat
clumsy build, on which Susan usually
made her journeys to market. She was
good horse-woman, having been ac-
customed to ride about the farm with
her grandfather since she was quite
child, and she was rather impatient OF
Jerry's slow PAGES, though she knew
them to be a necessity on market day.
Jerry was led to the mounting-stone
which stood in the yard, Susan was duly
settled on her saddle, the baskets adjust
ed, and the horse ambled away up the
wooded lane.
"Think of me when you meet the
robbers, Susy," squealed Ben after her