The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-11-04

Isrs face some Indications Of her chsracte
and thoughts, but in vain. She was a fine
Hooking person, Of forty or forty-fve, mstron
ly and dignified, ,but with all the air Of th,
!, city, and that expressionless look, void Of in
terest and uninterested in any passing object
which characterizes the fashionable traveller
| Occasionally she dipped into the pages O.
a novel; sometimes drew out diamond-stud
ded watch Of the most minute proportions
now looked at the mountains, and now at the
seats In the cars, and now at the faces Of the
children, but always with the cold, express
sionless gaze Of the 'high-bred LADY, | hat
given her up for quite as unworth regarding
as most of her class are usually, and had con.
cluded to look outside the car for amusement
when we brought up with plunge and jerk
at the little station Of for wood and wa
ter. Within hundred feet Of US, the noun
tain-gorge opened, and the sunshine stole
down it with strange beauty. Atthis instant
a man approached the window at which l sat,
offering to sell fruit from bis basket.
ale was tall man, with flowing hair and
beard, originally jet black, but now streaked
very little with gray. His face was mag
nifcent. would have gone miles to look on
such countenance. His forehead was high,
broad, and white. A strange calm, even ma
jestic, seemed to rest on it, and to rule his
appe arance.n His eye was dark, keen but not
rowing or restless. 1t appeared to repose
wherever it fell. His lips were carved with
exceeding beauty and sweetness, and his COM
- II e.
beard, as said, was long, flowing and ele-
giant, of dark black, but now changing here
and there as long white hair was seen CLAN
ing among the masses of black. You have
seen such faces in old pair tings. remember
one like it, that cannot now locate, but you
may recognize it by my description.
at was strange to see such man engaged
in such humble employment, and bought
dozen articles in succession, to keep him
before me while looked at him. At length
the lady have mentioned beckoned him to-
ward the window where she sat, and he left
me, but followed him with my eyes. As
he approached her he lifted his basket, and
she examined the fruit, but saw strange
expression coming over his countenance. He
gazed with unspeakable earnestness into her
eyes, and at length knew by his look that
the gaze was returned, and I looked at her.
A deep crimson was flushing over her face,
the first sign Of feeling had yet seen on it.
For along while that gaze continued, he looked
calmly, sadly, with unutterabie mournfulness
on her now lustrous eyes, aud then he spoke,
one single word, but in voice Of deep emo
ton, Mary! and let his basket fall, the ripe
fruit rolling on along the platform, and under
the wheels of the cars, and bowing his head
low down he turned away and stalked up the
gorge of the mountain. He did not once look
back, nor turn, nor hesitate, but pursued his
way with swift, steady pace up the ravine
and disappeared among the trees that over
hung the stream. 'iP. ...-
"Here was an incident worth tracing out.
1t was none of my business, to be sure, but
what was travelling for, if was only to at
tend to my own business! had left my Of
fee for the sake of getting rid of my business,
and having finger in any that would amuse
me without giving me care or responsibility.
81 sprang from my seat as the engine whis-
tied. The baggage was checked and would
take care of ITSELF Twas alone. So as the
cars dashed westward out of the valley was
already following the footsteps of the stran-
ger, up the gorge, which wac SO narrow tina,
| knew there was no danger of missing him
"My determination was SO sudden that
had formed no plan Of action, only resolving
to know more Of this curious incident and the
! actors in it. At length emerged from the
wood road, in little open spot, surrounded
| by hills, with beautiful southern exposure
which seemed to be sort Of smailEden. 1t
was filled with fruit trees, and luxuriant
garden, and all the beauties and delicacies OF
tasteful cottage home. A small hut stood
under the shadow of few lofty trees, with
bubbling spring in the midst of the green
grass before the door. The sky seemed to
love that little spot, and bent over it all q.
round and very near to it. The sun never
penetrated those shades in summer, and the
hills kept off the winds in winter. l pauset
to admire the beauty of the scene moment
and then knocked at the door. A clear, dis
tinct voice bade me enter, and l obeyed. ai
"Seated in large chair, with his elbow
resting on rude table, and his eyes shaded
by his hand, sat the strange fruit-dealer. Th'
walls were ornamented with paintings o
starting force and beauty. was surprised
and, confess Il, embarrassed, Dat was il
for story, and sat down with some triflini
phrase of ciyility. A few words suficed t
explain that was traveller. hunting scene
Try, accidentally led to that spot. But 1t wa
no 90. He remembered me, and in five min
utes made me confess the truth, that | ha
seen the railroad incident, and wanted an ex
planation. .g ,i.a.-I. b. .,.-
"'Well, I like that said he. III was coo
and bold, and | have not gotten over my low
for adventure yet, though am growing oil
and am hermit and am called fool. Yo
have made bold push for story, and yo
shall have it. But sit down and eat first, TO
it is dinner-time hereabouts.'
ain five minutes we were at table cover
) ed with fruits, bread, and milk, in abundance
and we dined heartily. When we had fn
ished and he had made me light my cigar, b
arose, crossed the room to large chest, an
took out from it a large-sized miniature cast
or perhaps | should call 1t a small-sized cab
net picture. Placing it before me SO this
the light of the single window at my back fe