Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-03-01
"#| Popular Prize Tale.
The Eccentric Lover,
THE RIVAL BEAUTIES.
BY EMERSON BENNETT.

1t so chanced once upon a time, TO
begin in the good old fashioned novellstic
style,) that was travelling from the town
of S, where had been making a
short stay, to the city of Boston. As
railroads were not as common then as
now, in that part of the country, my
conveyance was stage coach and four,
Among several passengers occupying the
coach there was one rather singular look
ing gentleman seated exactly in from, of
.ae, whom as he is to figure somewhat
in this sketch, shall at once take the
liberty Of describing: .s. ... ..r...
10 begin with his age, | should Judge
he had seen some thirty-fve winters.-
His form was slender, rather tall, appa-
ren'ly supple. and free from anything like
awkwardness. His eyes were black
coal black-as likewise his hair; the lat
ter being long, and falling in rnglets
around his face and shoulders. His
features were regalar,--and seen in mar
BILE, would have been considered artisti-
cally handsome; bat unfortunately, the
skin being sallow detracted much from
their beauty. Notwithstanding this,
however, the expression of his counte-
nance was good, with the exception that
IN the expression there was something
peculiar and puzzlng TO understand
while The broad high brow combi-ed with
l.. gave an unden:able stamp of intellect,
and that, too, of no ordinary kind. His
nose inclined to the Grecian, and his
chin curved finely from the lower lip,
aud rounded OF with that grace and full
ness one so much admires in sculpture.
His teeth were pearly white, very regu-
lar and visible whenever he spoke.
1t has been my custom, for some years
past, to study the human face in all its
varieties, as seen in all grades of society,
and have found it as a general thing, the
title page or true index to person s
character; but there may be exceptions
or rather there may be those who so en-
,lrely differ from any we have seen be-
fore, that we are at loss where to place
them, or. what judgment to form of their
predominant traits. Such was the case
with the individual now before me; al
though an entire stranger there was
something that excited my curiosity, in
terested my understanding to explain
His dress was black, rich a nd very plain,
with three rows of buttons on his vest
of the colors white, red and green, which
gave it rather unique appearance. But
enough of this description.
As the stage rolled on over smooth
dusty road, and as my fellow passengers
seemed more inclined for sleep than coll
oquy, determined in order TO break the
dull mono'ony. and perhaps satisfy Gu
rlosiiy, if possible, to draw the stranger
into conversation. Accordingly | ad-
dressed TO him some commonplace re.
marks, which he only answered by a
monosyllable, or slight movement of the
head Finding my efforts to engage him
in conversation useless, as he appeared
abstracted and buried in profound
thought. gave up in despair, and sink.
ing back on my seat let my own mind
ramble far away to other days and other
scenes.
About five o'clock in the afternoon we
passed through the small, quiet village
Of N; and as the coach paused a
few minutes for change of mail, the
stranger suddenly reused himself from
the apathy thus far maintained on the
Journey and with considerable earnest.
ness, directed my attention to an elegan
building, surrounded by trees. vines ant
flowers of exquisite beauty.
! "Do you note that building he said
"as also the small white cottage tina
stands off TO the right, and another of /;
similar character Standing little farther
TO The lelt--for have story somewha
romantic to tell you connected with all o
them, and also with their inmates"
My curiosity was now fully reused to
know what he was about to reveal. Al
the stage moved on again, the strange
turned to me, and, after moment
pause, as If hesitation how to begin
proceeded with his story. Although
cannot relate it exactly in his own words
| shall endeavor to preserve the spirit o
i. as much as possible; aud yet l shal
, entirely fail in giving that earnest, tha
beautiful accent, and force of point, if
/ may SO express it, by which he mad,
every part tell with wonderful effect.