The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-12-12

GERS stationed hard by, but they were
not numerous enough to interfere cf-
fectually--n 'tis said, were they
notably eager to have their hands
strengthened.
But this season of prosperity and
untroubled quiet came 20 an end.
Peace to England meant the very re.
verse to Trewarne. IL was with the
utmost disgust that its people saw
their old friends being replaced, or SO
surrounded with new colleagues, alto
gethcr unused to the ways of the dis.
trict. that they could not remain harm
less If they would. 1t was soon be-
yond "A doubt that the revenue men
were really in earnest in their cndeav.
ors to suppress the free trade.
Among the men OF Trewarne the
whole blame in this matter was laid
upon the shoulders of John Coffin, a
new man, whose energy was such that
in mere self.defence his comrades were
compelled to emulate his activity.
OF all the young men in those parts
Jim Penlerrick was the most promis-
ing. There was none but knew the
traditions of the smuggling, and could
help If help were needed. But Jim
was one of those rare spirits who made
traditions. He was hardly more than
our.and-twenty, tall, fair and boyisb,
but he had already made himself n
name by the cleverness of the lodges
he invented, and the magnificent cool
ness with which he carried them into
execution. 1t was no wonder that
Maggie Opie, the prettiest girl in Tre-
warne, was proud to have him known
as her sweetheart.
One day Maggie reported to him
certain events which had befallen her
while he was away upon his last voy-
age to Roscolf. Once or twice lately
it had been borne IN upon her that
John Coffin was much more polite to
her than he had any reason to be.
She bad TO borne to spea'- - .'
heaau. - rerTeEseS the mss OF
,.J..,, stories which ed 10 Albe-
yv.l a doubt that it was oftentimes
convenient for such one as she TO
have something OF hold over such as
he. But now she could not ignore the
matter any longer.
1t appeared that Maggie was coming
back to the village from n visit to
Breach, n little church town two miles
distant from Trewarne. She had
hardly started when she met John
Coffin.
Good afternoon, Miss Opie," he
said. "'Tis pleasant weather for the
time of the year. aud he stopped, so
that Maggie could hardly pass on I'M
mediately.
'Iss," she said, "'tis pretty
weather"
"May l keep zee company along the
road?" said the mau. "'Tis lonely
old road"
Maggie raised her eyes to his; then
they fluttered and iell.
"'Tis very kind of you"
They discussed multitude of In.
different subjects. Then:
81 didn't see Mr.. Penlerrick when |
was down in Trewarne just now," said
Coffin.
"No?' said Maggie.
81 didn't see the Dream, either.
suppose she's gone to sea again?"
"How should l know" said Mag.
gle. inuocently. SIS Jim Peulcrrick
the man to tell girl what are his
plans?"
"Well," said Coffin, ~ suppose
hell be back for Sunday, being Feast.
en- Sunday. | shouldn't think he'd bC
later thar Thursday, for the fairs Oh
Friday"
"Are zee going to the fair, Mr., Coi.
dn?" said Maggie.
The man smiled.
'If | could see you there"
"Aw," said Maggie, "you can see
chat any lime. Why, the waxworks il
coming that haven't been here these
four years"
"Waxworks is no attraction" sale
Cofin, contemptuously. "Give M
desh and blood.
"Well," said Maggie, "if waxwork
is no attraction, l suppose you won
Ie there"
In a minute the subject was changed
"'Tis lonely life down here foI
one that's been used to bigger places,
said Coffin. "lf a man had wife
perhaps 'twould be all he'd want He'C
have some interest in his work then
but as it is"
81 won't bring zee no further. Mr.
Coffin" said Maggie, iuterruptinl
him. "Many thanks for your com
pany."
And the little man looked at he
meltingly.
''No need of thanks |" he calculated
"'Iis yours whenever you feel like il
and for so long time as you choose.
He raised his hat with flourish, an
Maggie walked on homeward, havin
now reached the outskirts OF the vii
lage. She knew not whether to laug
or be indignant Finally she di
both. .----.