The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1851-09-11
WESTERLY, R. l., SEPTEMBER II, 1851.

by the cars. But she did not heed him.
His only alternative was to run back, also,
and help her to search for her bracelet.
"I've got it!' she cried in moment
after reaching the ground, and then came
bounding back to meet her vcxed and eX-
cited lover.
"We shall certainly be left behind" he
said.
"Comc, run then, quick" Anna re-
turned, and sprung away like young
fawn. There was not a single member Of
the party in sight. All had fastened on
to the stopping place of the cars, the most
Indifferent now feeling alarm lest they
should be too late
" 1t is nearly half past six" Alton re-
marked, glancing at his watch, as he came
up to the side of the hurrying maiden.
"We'll soon be there" was her encour-
aging reply.
"There's not a moment to spare. Hah |!
the engine bell, as sure as Pm alive 7! We
are too late 20
"Perhaps not. Some of the party are
there, and the conductor will certainly
wait for u.s."
The rest of the distance was traversed
with swift feet, and in silence. Fortu-
nately, they reached the stopping-place
just in time to get into the cars, but ex-
cited, ovcr-heated, and painting from exer-
ton.
"Just saved your distance," said the
conductor, smiling.
"My shawl! where is it" exclaimed
one Of the ladies Of the party, looking
around in alarm, soon after the cars were
in motion.
81 don't know. Have you lost it :"
asked a companion.
"It was on my arm when We started
But l was 50 afraid of being left behind
that did't notice where Or when dropped
it,"
Quietly seated in the cars, all had
leisure now to think whether they had lost
or left any thing behind. 1t was soon
discovered that one was short of hand
kerchief, another of bag, third of q
collar, and fourth of q bracelet, and so
on. But for these losses there was no
remedy. Every moment the swift-speed-
ing engine was bearing them farther and
farther away from the spot where they
had spent the day so pleasantly.
"Well," remarked Alton, in half
laughing, half-serious voice, " [ hope this
will be lesson on punctuality for all of
us. five had quietly made our arrange
ments for leaving the ground an hour ago,
there would have been none Of these losses
to regret. We should have been at the
railroad track at least half an hour before
the cars camc along, so that there would
have been time enough to have returned
for any thing then missing"
"You needn't say any thing" spoke up
one, "you were the last to reach the ears,
both coming and going. A lecturer on
punctuality should be punctual himself"
"This was said jestingly, but it touched
Alton in tender place.
No-no-it's not fair to blame him."
Anna spoke up. 1t was all my fault"
"I wish it hadn't bcen," was Alton's
mental reply.
When he retired to bed that night, the
young man did not feel happy. His mind
was disturbed. Why? 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
it would, he had no patience. 1t was so
easy to be punctual, and so wrong not to
be particular on this point, that he could
find no excuse for it, even in the girl that
he loved.
/T,o bP rODfiDupd !