The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-08-16
TWO ELOPEMENTS.

IN u large, square, Oiu iaSnlOneu, mouse
i such as our fathers used to build
when solidity was more sought after
than utility-lived Philip Manson and
his sister Esther. Philip had reached
the mature age of forty, and Esther was
close to him. Still, each had pursued a
solitary pathway through life, seeking
no companionship save that of the
other, there was reason to believe that
they would continue to follow the same
course till in the fullness of time they
were gathered into the family tomb-the
receptacle of many generations of the
Manson family.
"No," said Philip when assailed on
this subject by matchmaking lady,
marrying may be very good for some
people, but 1 could not bear to have my
habits broken in upon, and my whole
house turned topsy-turvy by the intro
duction of wife.
AS for Miss Esther, she often declared
that she would never make a slave of
herself for any man living.
OF course, it was insinuated by those
whose opinions differed widely from
Miss Esther's, that in adopting this
opinion she was only making virtue
of necessity, and that it was best to be
contented with ones lot, provided there
was no chance of improving it.
Early one afternoon just after Esther
Manson had completed her task of clear
ing away the dinner dishes and storing
them away in the cupboard after thor
ough washing, she was startled by rap
at the door.
Somewhat surprised by caller at this
unusual hour, she answered the sum-
mons. She was a little apprehensive
that it was a neighbor who had of late
proved very troublesome from her habit
of borrowing articles and owing, it is to
be presumed, to an habtual forgetfulness,
neglecting to return them.
81 hope" she mused that if it is
Mrs. Bailey, she will be wanting to bor-
row something that have not got"
She opened the door, but no Mrs. Bail
ey presented herself to her expecting
gaze-a gentleman of forty-five, careful
ly, nay elegantly dressed stood before
her.
1 beg your pardon for intruding,
madam, said he as he noticed Esther's
look of surprise; but can you direct me
to the house of the late Mr.. Wellfieet? L
have heard it was for sale, and from the
description have heard of it, judge it
will suit me-"
"It is the next house on the left, sir"
answered Esther, who had time, while
the gentleman was speaking, to exam
inc his appearance, which did not fail to
impress her favorably.
Two days afterward Esther heard that
Mr.. Wellheet's estate had been purehas-
ed by stranger named Bigelow. She
at once copjectured, and rightly that
this was the name of her visitor. A few
days elapsed, and Esther Manson receiv-
another visit from the gentleman.
:" have favor to ask of you, Miss
Manson, p he began it seems he had as
certained her name. " am aware that
our slight acquaintance will hardly JUS
tify it, but trust time will remove this
objection. You must know" he added,
smiling, "that am bachelor, depend
ent in many respects upon my house
keeper, who though good woman in
her way, am afraid is not reliable in
matters of taste. AS my furniture has
arrived, but has not yet been arranged, 1
would esteem it real service if you
would give me your opinion in some
little matters respecting its proper dis
position. My carriage is at the door
ready to take you over.''