The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-12-04

SiCotci Poiuou vi tuc company. Dut anna
still insisted there was plenty of time, and ac-
tually induced a small number to commence
another cotillion. Several demonstrated and
urged the necessity of immediate departure.
But they were only laughed at for their i'm
patience. Alton bit his lip with vexation at
such thoughtlessness. He saw that Anna
was the ruling spirit in this opposition to the
majority to be at the stopping place of the
cars in good time; and this worried him.
Ii brought too vivedly before his mind the in
cidents of the morning.
AT last even she felt that the time had
come for making aspeedy departure. The
little group that had been seemingly governed
by her, separated, and commenced hasty
preparations for leaving the spot. This
took longer than they expected. Last of
all to get away was Anna Minor. By the
time she left, some had reached the track of
the railroad.
There as lve," she exclaimed, after
she had started with Alton, and had gone
couple ofhundred of yards, II have lost my
bracelet
As she said this. she turned and run back
at full speed. Alton called after her that
they would certainly be left behind the cars.
But she did not heed him. His only alterna-
tive was TO turn back also and help to search
for. the bracelet.
"I've got it," she cried in a moment after
reaching the ground, and then came bound
ing back to meet her vexed and excited low
er.
ave shall certainly be left behind,'' he
said.
"Come. run then, quick" Anna returned,
aud sprung away like young fawn. There
was not single member Of the party in
sight. All had fastened OH TO the stopping
place of the cars, the most Indifferent now
feeling alarm lest they should be too late.
''lt's nearly half-past six, ALTON remarked,
glancing at his watch, as he came up to the
side of the hurrying maiden.
"We'll soon be there" was her encourag-
ing reply.
There's not moment TO spare. Hal
the engine bell, as sure as I'm alive We are
too late"
perhaps not. Some of the party are there,
and the conductor will certainly wait for
u.s."
The rest ofthe distance was traversed with
swift feet, and in silence. Fortunately, they
reached the stopping place just in time to get
into the cars, but excited, overheated, and
painting from exertion.
'Just saved your distance" said the con-
ductor, smiling.
MY shawl! where is it," exclaimed one
of the ladies of the party, looking around her
in alarm, soon after the cars were under mo-
ton.
81 don't know. Have you lost it 7" asked
a companion.
sit was on my arm whenwe started. But
was so afraid being left behind, that
didn't notice vince or when l dropped it."
Quietly seated in the cars, all had leasure
now to think whether they had left or lost
any thing behind. 1t was soon discovered that
one was short of a handkerchief another a
bag, a third collar, fourth bracelet, and
so on. But for these losses, there was no
remedy. Every moment the swift speeding
engine was bearing them farther and farther
away from the spotwhere they bad spent the
day so pleasantly.
WELL" remarked Alton, in half laugh
ing half serious voice, 81 hope this will be
lesson on punctuality for all ofus. five had
quietly made our arrangements for leaving
the ground an hour ago, there would have
been none of these losses p regret. We
should have been at the railroad track at
least half an hour before the cars came along,
SO that there would have been time enough to
have returned for any thing then missed"
"You needn't say any thing" spoke up
one. ''You were the last TO reach the cars
both coming and going. A lecturer on
punctuality should always be punctual him
self"
. This was said jestingly. But it touched
Alton in tender spot.
"No-no-it's not fair to blame him."
Anna spoke up. at was all my fault"
IL wish it hadn't BEEN" was Atoms men,
tai reply.
When he retired to bed that night, the
young man did not feel happy. His mind
was disturbed. Whyl He knew of only
one cause. Anna Minors conduct had not
pleased him.-There was defect in her
character, with which, let it exist where il
would, he had no patience. 1t was so easy
to be punctual, and so wrong not TO be par
ticular on this hand, that he could find no
excuse for it. even in the girl he loved.
1t was week before Alton could feel
just in the frame of mind TO visit Anna Mil
nor. Five minutes passed fin her presence
was sufficient 10 dispel all unpleasant i'm |
pressions that her conduct had produced.
There was charm in her person, mind and
that thoroughly captivated him.
He was again a constant visitor.
As for Anna she only wanted declaration |
from her lover. Her heart was fully his. !
Buthe was not quite ready to make that dec |
aration. Alton had a cool head as well as a |
warm heart, he was orderly in his habits, land |
his conduct in life upon fixed prin-
ciples. In choosing wife, he would not |
permit himself to be governed, entirely by
his feelings. He saw that Anna had defects |
Of character-and one defect that, in his esti-
nation, would have a very important bearing
upon his future happiness. Balore advanc-
ng step farther, he determiHe1to see how
leeply seated this defect lay. and whether
here was any hope of its being corrected or
lot.
Il will call for you on next Sunday morn
n.y." said he one day, "and walk with you to
church,"
Il shall be very happy to have your COM
ANY," was her pleased reply.
II will now see," said he to himself, show
Ieeply seated lies this want of punctuality.-
Surely she will regard the orderly observance
# external worship too highly to permit
Ierself to be moment too late. Anna Mil
Tor could not be guilty of disturbing a wor-
l,;,:., o,,a,,bly he anterinu church 5ffar |