Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-02-14
THE DANDIEs REBUKE,


/ had taken place on the top Of one of
the coaches which run between Elm
burgh and Glasgow, for the purpose, of
commencing short tour in the Highlands
of Scotland. AS we ratified along Prin-
cess street, had leisure TO survey my
fellow travellers. Immediately opposite
me sat two dandies of the first order,
dressed in white great coats and Belcher
hankerchieis, and each with cigar in his
mouth, which he pufled away with mar
vellous complacency. Beside me sat
comely young woman in widows dress,
with an infant about nine months old in
her arms. The appearance Of the youth
full mourner and her baby indicated that
they belonged to the lower class Of socie-
ty; and although the dandies occasionally
cast rude glance at the mother, the look
of calm sorrow which she invariably, at
such times, cast upon the child, seemed
to touch even them and seemed to disarm
their coarseness. On the other side of the
widow sat young gentleman of plain,
yet prepossessing exterior, who seemed
especially to attract the notice Of the dam
dies. His surtout was not absolutely
thread-bare, but it had evidently endured
more than one season, and l could per-
ceive many contemptuous looks thrown
upon it by the gentlemen in the Belcher
handkerchiefs. The gentleman carried
small portmanteau in his hand-so small,
indeed, that it could not possibly have con-
tanned more than change of linen.-
This article also appeared to arrest the
eyes of the sprigs of fashion opposite,
whose wardrobes, in all probability were
more voluminous whether they were
paid for or not might be another question,
The coach having stopped at the village
Of Corstorphine, for the purpose oftaking
up an inside passenger, the guard, observ-
ing that the young gentleman carried the
portmanteau in his hand, asked leave to
put it in the boot, TO which he Immediate
ly assented.
"Put it fairly into the centre, guard"
said one of the dandies.
"Wby so, Toni" inquired his compan-
ion.
"It may capsize the COACH" reioined
the first; sally at which both INDUCED
in burst Of laughter but of which the
owner of the portmanteau, though the
blood mounted slightly to his cheek, took
TO notice whatever. ....
While we were changing horses at the
little town of Uphall, an aged beggar APP
preached and held out his hat for aims
The dandies looked at him with scorn. /
gave him few half pence; and the young
widow, poor as she seemed, was about to
do the same, when the young gentleman
in the surtout laid his hand gently on her
arm, and dropping half crown into the
tsggafae t,at, nsde'a sig6 Cor him t6 de-
part. ssas sr5s
The dandies looked at each other.
Showing off, jack" said the one.
h cay, ay, successful at our last benefit,
you know" rejoined the other, and both
again burst into horse laugh.
At this allnson TO his supposed pro-
fession the blood again mounted into the
young gentleman's cheek, but il was only
for moment, and he continued silent. 4
We had not left Upham many miles be-
hind us, when the wind began to rise, and
the gathering clouds indicated en- appr oach-
ing shower. The dandies began TO pre-
pare their umbrellas, and the young gen
tleman in the surtout, surveying the dress
Of the widow, and perceiving that she was
but indifferently provided against change
of weather, inquired OF the guard if the
coach was full inside. Being answered
in the affirmative, he addressed the mour
ner in tone of sympathy; told her there
was every appearance of smart shower;
expressed his regret that she could not be
taken into the coach; and concluded by
Offering her the use of his cloak
"lt will protect you so far" said he,
"and, at all events, it will protect the
baby"
The widow thanked him in a modest
and respectful manner, and said that, for
the sake of the infant, she should be glad
to have the cloak, if he would not suffer
from the want Of il himself.
He assured her that he should not, be-
ing accustomed TO ali kinds of weather.
"1is surtout wont spoil" said one of
the dandies, in voice of affected tender
ness, "and, besides, my dear, the cloak
will hold you both.',
The young widow 5lushed; ; and the
young gentleman, turning quickly around,
addressed the speaker in a tone of dignity
which l shall never forget:
al am not naturally qnarrelsome, sir,
but yet it is quite possible you may pro-
woke me too far"
Both the exquisites Immediately turned
as pale as death; .shrunk in spite Of them
selves into their natural insigniicance
and they scarcely opened their lips, even
to each other, during the remainder of the
journey.
In the meantime the young gentleman,
with the same politeness and delicacy as
if he had been assisting lady Of quality
with her shawl, proce eded TO wrap the
widow and her baby in his cloak. He
had hardly accomplished this when c
smart shower Of rain, mingled with hail,
commenced. Being myself provided with
a cloak, the cape of which was sufficient
ly large to envelope and protect my head,
l offered the young gentleman my UNI
brella, which he readily accepted, but held
it, as | remarked, in manner better cal
cnlated TO defend the widow than himself.
When we reached West Craig's Inn,
the second stage from Edinburgh, the rain
had ceased and the young gentleman, po-
Il. L. I.-