The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-12-27
A SET OF HARNESS.

afternoon there's an auction sale OF harness
at the Bridgeman House and I'd like to see
how they go off,"
John Barclay senior reflled and lighted
his old clay pipe before replying, then he
said slowly"
1--WE don't need any harness, do we ?"
MOO" replied John Barclay junior, ap-
parently not very wen satisfied in his own
mind. my light harness is pretty far gone
but guess it will do until Barbara and
are married and wont have much running
around to do after that"
He thought of pretty Barbara Cunningham
all the way to the village and he was still
thinking of her as he mingled with the
crowd of buyers at the Bridgeman House.
The long rows of various mounted and styled
harness were very tempting and he could
imagine just how delighted Barbara would
be if he invested in set. She was wont to
go in ecstasies over what she called "a
stylish rig" and everybody knows that a
handsome set of harness goes long way
towards this desirable possession.
But after all John hated to part with any
of those twenty dollar gold pieces which
were blinking in his pocket that very minute
Old John Barclay was VIGOROUSLY stingy
and young John was pronounced chip of
the old block.
He strolled away from the crowd presently
with every one of the gold pieces safe in HE
pocket. 1t was all nonsense to buy anything
not absolutely necessary as for Barbara she
kr-1ws nothing about the harness, consequent
ly would not be disappointed few days
after this occurred the annual Sunday School
picnic in grove near the village. There
were the usual number of small boys, small
girls, and babies; there were a number of
elderly and middle-aged ladies with sprink.
ling of younger ones.
Barbara Cunningham and half dozen
others sauntered away by themselves after
lunch was over.
Sunday School picnics are too dry for
anything" declared one young lady whom
the rest called Lotte 81 didn't want to
come but mamma insisted on it !"
"Lottie signs for the masculine element
which is rather scarce" laughed Barbara,
"John Barclay is coming this afternoon"
remarked one of the girls.
"Oh, of course he'd follow Barbara Cum
ningham to the moon if she happened to go
there and when he gets where she is he
sits down and talks to her and that's all the
good it does the rest of u.s." declared the
yiyacious Lottie.
an ask him TO talk to you,n reported
Barbara.
Crank Hamlin may come, he lives SO
near the grove" suggested some one.
"oh girls" exclaimed Lottie. "That
reminds me of something. Have you seen
Frank Hamlin's gold mounted harness that
he bought at the sale the other day2 Its
perfectly elegant; and when he drives those
matched black horses of his fathers he makes
a stunning appearance. He went by our
house yesterday and il fairly took my breath
away"
This startling announcement brought forth
avolley of questions, answers, and comments
which would have been indefinitely prolong
ed had not Lotte proposed to return to the
main party and take observations.
They found John Barclay and Frank
Hamlin already on the grounds. Mrs. Gun.
ningham beckoned Barbara to her the mo.
ment she made her appearance. Don't
you be flirting with that Frank Hamlin,"
she said in severe undertone. John
wont stand it, now mind what say"
Barbara arched her black eyebrows trife
but she never thought of opposing her
mother when she spoke in that tone. She
was thoroughly imbued with the idea that
she was to marry John Barclay. To be sure
he had never asked her in SO many words
he had not thoughtit worth while. Barbara
could not blame him either for her mother
had taken the matter in her own hands long
ago and any appeal to Barbara's feelings
would have been preposterous after TINT
good lady's fiat had gone forth. What more
could any girl desire, pray? A steady indus
trious young fellow and the only son-the
only child in fact--of the richest farmer
for miles around Johns mother was dead
so of course his wife would be mistress of
the house. And very handsome house it
was too even Barbara conld not repress
feeling of satisfaction when her mother
descanted upon the cool lofty rooms and the
tall windows which in these sides Of the
house opened out on wide vine-shaded
piazzas. /" Not one girl in a thousand had
such chance" Mrs. Cunningham affirmed.
Barbara did not contradict all this She said
to herself that she liked John we'll enough
and yet-but here her reflections always
came to stand still, since she must not
quarrel with fate and her mother.
When, Barbara rejoined the group OF
young people they were discussing the event
of the season--the county fair-to come of
in few days. ieff4IF +t
81 shall call for you early-by eight
o'clock probably-it is such long drive"
John said, and Barbara who was used 10
being taken possession Of in this unceremo-
to wishing in her own mind that John would
get some lovely new harness like Frank
Hamlin's.
"Miss Barbara, will you take walk with
me?" Barbara looked up encountering
Frank Hamlin's handsome gray eyes and
DIG Scufa hot tSbfbb thC tvuphttiont " bos
Her mother was out of sight and as for John
why he could talk to Lottie so they strolled
away together. 81 am glad you made Mr..
Barclay close prisoner" Frank said, glanc-
ing back to where Lottie was doing her best
TO entertain the company. II confess I
was rather afraid of him."
Somehow this remark nettled Barbara
1t implied that she was considered Johns
especial property, and However, meek and
plastic she might be in her mothers energetic
hands. she did not fancy being given over
in this style. SO she laughed at the idea Of
anybody having claim on her and resolved
to show Mr.. Frank Hamlin that she stood
in awe Of no man living. Thereupon ensued
a Irritation innocent enough in itself but
which would have Mortified Mrs. Cunning
ham had she beheld it.
1t did not take many giances from Barba-
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