Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-11-09
MISC L A n Y.
From the Journal Of Commerce
Railroad Romance.

From Portage, we came on by single
afternoons journey to Binghampton, and
reaching there at late hour in the even
ING, found good accommodations at the A
merican. which we left at an early hour the
next morning, by the mail train forthe east
ward, Here we net friends who had been
travelling on other routes, so that our party
formed quite large group IN the rear ol
the car, and when the interest IN the scene
rv began to flag, we killed time by ex-
changing stories, as you we'll know our wont
has been hitherto. But the best story of
the dav, by far, was that of B, who
vouches for its authenticity, and the truth
fulness of the incidents. 1t occurred With
in two hundred miles of Albany, on one OF
the great railroad routes, and may safely
assure YOU of ITS cred,bility. can best re-
late the story in the words OF my friend, as
follows -
"I was tired half sick aud wanting some
thing to arouse me. The ride had been
tedious aud | was ready for any change
when the cars entered that beautiful valley
ON the banks of the NJ where noun
tain gorge opens out suddenly on the plain
near the station.
al had studied all the passengers, and
found none to interest me. A group OF
children. surrounding their mother in the
next seats to me, had attracted the chiei
part of my notice, and had sought to trace
IN the mothers face some indications OF her
character and thoughts, but in vain. She
was fue-looking person, of forty or forty
five, matronly and digni6ed, but with all
the air of the city, and that cxpressionless
look, void of interest and uninterested in
anv passing object, which characterlzes the
fashionable traveller. Occasionally she
dipped into the pages ofa novel; sometimes
drew out diamond-studded watch of the
most minute proportions now looked at the
mountains, aud now at the seats IN the cars,
and now at the faces OF the children, but
ALWAYS with the cold, expressionleSs gaze oi
the high bred lady | had given her uF
for quite as unworth regarding as most o
her class are usually, and had concluded
10 look outside the car for amusement, when
we brought up with plunge and jerk a
the little station of - for wood and wa
ter. Within hundred feet of us, the
mountain-gorge opened, and the sunshine
stole down it with strange beauty. AT thu:
instant man approached the window a
which sat, offering to sell fruit from hl'
basket.
"He was tall man, with flowing hal
and beard, originally jet black, but now
streaked very little with gray. His face
was magnificent. Iwould have gone mile:
10 look on such a countenance. His fore
head as high, broad land white. A strange
calm, even majestic, seemed to rest on it
and to rule his appearance His eye was
dark. keen. but not rowing or restless. 1
anpeared to repo>e wherever it fell. Hi
l;ps were carved with exceeding beauty
and sweetness, and his complexion was un
riyalled for whiteness. His beard, as said
was long, flowing and elegant, OF darl
black. but now changing here and there a
long white hair was seen cleaning anon:
the masses of black. You have seen suci
faces in old paintings. remember on'
Gke Il. that / cannot now locate, but yol
NAV rec 1gnze it by my description.
at was strange to see such man en-
asa,ed m such humble employment, ant
/ BOUGHT dozen articles in succession, t.
keep him before me while looked at him
At length the lady have mentioned beck
oned him toward the window where sht
sat, apd he left me, but followed hun wit
my eyes. As he approached her he lifteC
his basket, and she examined the fruit, bu
| saw a strange expression coming over his
countenance. He gazed with un>peakaole
esrnestness into her eyes, and at length
knew by his look that the gaze was return
ed, and looked at her. "A deep crimson
was flushing over her face, the first sign ol