The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-12-20


gled pity and disdain, and said, though
in a husky and broken voice, GAS you
please, Jane, as you please. 1 have no
notion to urge you. There are plenty,
though, who would think the offer you
have refused greater honor than the
one you have accepted :" and turning
on his heel, he sauntered whistling
away; yet the workings of his counte-
nance betrayed conflict of evil feelings.
care the clothes in order that asked
you to look after ?" inquired George of
his mother, the same evening of his un-
lucky interview with Jane; "I shall
need them tonight" he added, "for L
intend to pack up and be off early in the
morning for N"
"Why, what can take you there so
soon again, George you have been at
N already three or four times, and in
as many weeks" said she.
$50 have, and now intend to stay
awhile. There would be little satisfac-
tion for me here while men, women and
children are sweating to death in the
harvest fields. 1t is dull work enough
to pass ones time among them when
they can take liberty to amuse them
selves"
He accordingly set off for the market
town the next day, and though his
mother received no direct communica-
tion from him during the month that
followed, few days passed in which she
did not incidentally obtain intelligence
of his pursuits. They were now undis-
guisedly those of gambler.
During the absence of the young cler-
gyman the officers of the congregation
had held deliberations upon the selec-
ton of parsonage, for the church was
a new one, and, as yet, had not possessed
that appendage; one which, on the mar
riage of the pastor, would become ne
cessary. The result was conveyed to
him on his return, that the old house
which had been the last habitation of
poor Margaret Wilmot, was to be pur-
chased and fitted up for the purpose.
tenanted, for it had neither ground nor
out buildings to render it suitable place
for farmer, and was too secluded in its
situation to be desirable residence to a
person engaged in any other than the
business of agriculture
But for the present object it appeared
all that could be required. 1t was in con-
venient vicinity to the church, was
pleasantly located, and was substantial
building, which could be made comfor-
table and not inelegant abode. The
requisite repairs and alterations were i'm
mediately commenced, and were carried
on with SO much vigor that it was an
ticipated they would be completed
against the end of the approaching har-
vest. At that timeit WAS decided that,
If all things could be in readiness, the
marriage should take place.
The harvest was nearly over. The
interior work of the house was so far
advanced that Mr.. Walton had already
moved into it many of the simple but
numerous articles of furniture it requir-
ed, when he was summoned to attend
an ecclesiastical assembly in session
at about days journey off.
On the evening of his departure he
called at the cottage to take leave of Jane
and receive from Widow Slade pack
age which she requested him to deliver
to friend on his way through N.
He reproached her jestingly for her re.
fusal to communicate, either to himself
or Jane the nature of its contents, and
then said to the latter
"Supposing you walk with me as far
as the parsonage, Jane ?-the coach
will not be along until dark, and / shall
have time to be at the tavern to meet it
even If stop some minutes on the way.
1 should like before go to have your
opinion of some additions that L made
to-day to our little household arrange
ments. Your mother will spare you,
will you not, dear madam? L shall
have SO short while to detain her, that
she will be with you at the farthest,
against stdusk.'
He gave his arm to Jane, and they
strolled slowly down the lane, which
had years since, been opened to join the
one leading from the old stone house to
the turnpike road. The widow stood on
her little porch, looking fondly but
thoughtfully after them, when, as they
disappeared at the turn of the road, her
son presented himself at the gate. His
face was flushed with hasty walking,