The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-11-16

her flinty heart by every expedient save
that recommended by the Psalmist.
1t was clear, beautiful morning, and
Squire Everleigh sat in his breakfast
room gazing out of the window at the
extent of country before him, when a
knock at the door admitted David
Strachan.
Good morning, squire" he said, as
he cast his eyes quickly about the apart
ment; " / am glad to find you alone,
for I've made bold to call and speak
with you on a subject which presses
hard upon my mind"
"Sit down, David" said the squire,
"and let me hear what it is which dis
turbs you. 1 hope that the fire has not
got among the birches again, ELI ?"
"No, not is nothing of that kind.
That's bad enough, I'll own, but there
may be matters worse; and I've held
my peace so long, that 1 fear l have
wandered from the path of righteous
ness by yielding to the weakness that
sometimes will come over my nature.
If Satan buffets me, it is because my
loins are not always girded. We must
keep our armor bright, Squire Ever
leigh"
You have not come to convert me
to dissenting doctrines ?" said the squire
with smile.
Ct 1t is not for the likes of me to say"
replied Strachan, ''whether the heart
shall worship in conformity with the
'thirty-nin articles, or by the Scrip
tural rule of the simple doctrine of what
you term dissenters. But the peace, if
not the honor, of mans household is
something too serious for gibe.''
Squire Everleigh's face assumed a
grave expression as the shaft of the
broom-maker went home, and he said !:
David, and If can serve you will do
so cheerfully."
Last May come a year." said the
man, "my daughter, Bessie, showed the
first symptoms of disobedience in her
life. don't mind much these merry
makings, and yet Pm not prepared to
say there is evil in them. She attended
the May party, although was strongly
opposed to her doing so. Your son
escorted her home. Bessie is counted a
pretty lass, and she is giddy one. /
fear her ears have heard too much
flattery for the good of her soul. I've
oOf onod poaoon for baIiayino That oh h,
meets your son in her walks oftener
than is proper for maiden who would
keep her name bright. Excuse me,
squire, 1 must speak plainly. Now, /
wish this intimacy stopped; it bodies no
good. My daughter cannot be mistress
of Everleigh Grange, and before she
shall be anything else l will slay her
with my own hand"
He paused; he had been speaking
under great excitement, and though
he endeavored to appear calm, Miles
Everleigh saw in the fanatical gleam OF
his eyes and stern words of his lips that
he meant all he uttered, aye, and more
too. So he replied, I" will have talk
with my son, this day, David. 1t grieves
me sore to hear this, especially from
your mouth, but don't think the mat.
ter is so bad that we cannot find a
remedy for 1t. In the course of day or
two will come over to your place
myself, and perhaps may be able to
make your mind easier, at least hope
So"
Squire Everleigh was for two good
hours that day closeted with his son.
What passed between them the world
never exactly knew, but it was bruited
about the house that the squire had
quarreled with his son, and the latter
had gone to London with the intention
ofentering the army. There were not
wanting those who said Bessie Strachan
always knew where letter would reach
Boyce Everleigh, but then 1t might
have been slander, for rumor is some
times foul-mouthed jade.
The day following Strachan's visit tc
Everleigh Grange, the squire mounted
his horse and took his way to the broom
makers cottage. He appeared to bt
depressed in spirits, and more than once
heaved long sigh, as il to ease his
troubled mind. He had passed ovel
more than half the distance he had t.
ride, when he came so suddenly to {
sharp turn in the road that Bessi,
Strachan, who was walking there in
tently occupied in reading letter, hat
not time to avoid him. Neither wal