Year: 1874

siaat It was great encouragement to have such woman take my part. Still did t hke the notion of going right into the family where Lewis was. and I thought I wonid wait little. Beside that. Aunt Betsy was lame and ailing, and I didn't feel quite free to leave her. So staid on and certainly I did have a pretty hard tlne Even the neighbors began to no- tlce how was mewed mp, and never went outside the gate

 The second day of November, Abiram came home in the best of spirits. He had made his journey profitable, it seemed, and he was more Tory than ever. He had actually brought me a satin gown that would stand on end for richness, and agrey crape shawl. I told him he might ksep his gifts to himself. and went up- stairs to my room, where presently Aunt Betsy came bringing the shawl and the satin.

 Thee had better put these things away !! said she, laying them on the bed. Itook them just as they were, and open iagsthe window, dropped them out and saw them fall plump into the tub of rain water underneath.-fo then, instead ot cisterns, We had great troughs standing under the.eaves. It was silly thing to do, but I was so worked up I didn't care one pin. For once I saw Aunt Betsy in a.rage. She scolded me roundly, and ended by declaring that should marry Abiram within a week or she would never see or speak to me again, I should have gone away that very night, only Aunt Betsy was taken so sick I didn't like to leave her. What Abiram thought when he found his presents all wet and spoiled, l can't say. He never said word to me nor I to him. did my work, and waited on Amt Betsy, but couldn't get any word to Lewis, much as I wished it, for old Jacob was sick, and hadn't any oth- CT messenger.

 Well, for two or three days Abiram was wonderful busy clearing out the eel lar. Now and then he would take his boat and run down the creek, and he grew so queer and excited that I began to won- der what was going to happen. 1 hardly ever got chance to step outside the door, Aunt Betsy kept me so close, and what with the work and waiting on her, I was pretty we'll used up.

 ''One night was the Doth of Novem- Der and fine moonlight, though rather foggy,-I went to the backdoor for a breath of air, and saw fine large brig coming up with the tide. She seemed to find her way without any trouble, and presently came to anchor over there where you see that pine stump-it was fine tree then-not far from our house.. I stood watching, and presently saw Abiram and two other men come ashore from the brig. They came up the path toward the house, f,,1fT r ot t, back to Aunt Betsy, and when Ab1ram called me to see to supper, he told me the strange men would stay, and asked me if wouldn't sit down and make tea. For you see hadn't sat down to single meal with him since he came home.

 Tea ' said I, where did you get any tea? knew ours had been out some time, and you couldn't buy an ounce for love nor money.

 's 's'Never mind said Abiram, looking as pleased as could be. I've got it, and plenty more of nice things Now be a good girl and see to the supper, and promise not to say a word thee won't like ifn hear.

 sWell, didn't want 10 make fuss be- fore the strangers, so said would; and I made some nice hot cakes and fried a chicken, and turned out the tea, but l wouldn't touch drop, more than if it were poison. The two men were English, as made ont by their talk, and one of them was captain of the brig. He had been drinking little, and he kept throw ing out hints which made me open my ears, and caused the other man to swear at him for fool.

 "Well, did up the work, and was just going upstairs to bed when Abiram stop ped me.

 What is it?' I asked sharply enough.

 "' I only wanted to say that thee need n't be scared if thee hears noise in the night;' said he meekly. I have got some goods aboard the brig, and am going to have them unloaded, because the captain wants to get away,

 Somehow it flashed across me all in a minute what the goods were. So instead of going to bed, I blew out the candle and sat down behind the curtain to watch. Presently saw the men from the brig bringing up the goods all covered with tarpaulins and slowing them in the cellar. They had nearly finished when one of the men let fall square box, and I knew by the sound that something had broken. The captain cursed him for clumsy fool. Abiram brought out broom, and could see them sweeping and brushing some thing. Finally the business was finished, the men went away, and Abiram came up- stairs and went to bed He was generally the first one up in the morning, but this time stole a march on him. and was down before six o'clock. took the lan- tern and began searching where I had seen them sweeping the night before, and sure enough, in little hollow by the side of the path found about half handful of nice green tea

 |" I gathered up the tea in my hands and wrapped it in paper had in my pocket, and then stole down to the creek, to the place where I knew Abiram's little skiff was tied up. It was no sudden move. I had been thinking all night, and made up my mind that I must see Lewis and tell him the whole story. For, ab- surd as 1t may seem, was really afraid Aunt Betsy would contrive some way to marry me to Abiram even against my will.

 'sThe tide was running out and helped me, and l was soon at James Whitecars s landing, for I knew how to handle boat, found Lewis at the barn, told him the whole story, and showed him the tea. You ought to have seen how his eyes flashed.

 So that is what he has been up to-! said he; we have been watching him for week, and suspected as much Then he called Stephen Whitecar, James broth CT. great friend of his, and showed him the tea.

 "'Wen take care of himr said Stephen. Only thee keep quiet, Sybilla, and don t teton that thee knows anything"

 ''Was Stephen Friend?" I asked.

 ..Wel, yes, he belonged to Meeting, and his mother was preacher, as I told you. So we talked 1t over, and Stephen was for calling his mother, and having me stay. but I said thought had bet ter go right back.

 'Don't tell me anything!' said I; and then can answer no question

 Lewis said I was right and he would row me back himself. On the way it was settled between us that he should come for me the next day but two, and then we would go and get married. The reason