New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-05-12
LOVE IN AN OMNIBUS.
BY cHARLEs G. HALp1NE

By CHARLES G. HALPINE.
Istepped into a Broadway stage and esconsed |
myself in a corner next the door. The place,
like others Of more Importance, had its conyen-
fence and discomforts-its convenience of free
air and ready egress when wanted to leave
the discomforts Of having ones toes trodden into
pulp by whoever passed in or out the convey
ance.
We pulled up at Union Square, to take in q
singnlarly pretty traveller. Pretty? I think
she was! Never did touch a softer hand than
hers, as helped her in. Never did eyes Of more
| maiden-ike lustre thank me for the trivial cour-
tesy.
she.sat in the corner opposite mine; SO that,
without Wrenching round my head at the ex-
pense of an immaculate shirt collar, had no
option but to look at her-and did look,
A long, passionate gaze. told me that she was
but eighteen, very elegantly dressed, comely
and good-natured looking Yes, comely beyond
common comeliness and gentle spirited exceed
mgly. Had she not been so, she must have re-
sented my scrutiny. But she smiled Oh,
heavens what teeth! What blossom Of the
cactus on her cheek whata depth Of mystic
lovelness in her large, luxurious, almond shaped
blue eyes!
Her hair was not curled, nor plain, but bill
lowy; as if fountain Of golden amber had
played upon her head and clothed it in bright
ripples. Her dress was neat and fashionable,
though OF simple materials; it's great charm was
the perfect cleanliness and purity which it evil
uenced. She looked q rose bud with the MAY
morn dew still fresh in its bosom she was the
lilly OF the omnibus--of the yalley--I mean;
and. as she sat smiling before me, blessed
every jolt OF the carriage for permitting my
knees to touch even the hem of her garment
Let it not be disguised in any vain preamble.
was in loye-in love at first sight-and my
Whole frame quiyered with currents of the new
T ly begot electricity.
She smiled on me- and this was enough to in
toxicate. No words could describe my emotion,
so novel, SO enhancing, SO joyfully delirious
and dreamful was that ride in the gathering
omnibus
Drawing out purse of silver network, she
dropped her handkerchief-tcas it not ia,ten-
tional? She pretended not to perceive 1.-THE
case was plain and the conclusion, viz that
she wished me to retain the cambria as q soupe-
11l1, or pignuS SdmOris-palpable. Perhaps she
went farther; might not her name and address
be inscribed on a corner Of the happy mouchoir
de pouche? Of course it might-it was! She
wished me to call-to become intimate with
her-to love, to marry her! Great Heavens !!
what ecstacy of bliss
Not a moment was to be lost. dropped my
cane to conceal the true motive of stopping from
the other passengers; seized the embroidered
muslin, and buried it between my waistcoat and
my heart.
Still she did not, or pretended she did not, see
me. We were now nearing Trinity Church,
and, as l had pressing engagement in Wall
street, | must quit the ark in which my dove
would be borne away to another nest. But how
could leave without assuring her that her
beauty had made its due impression' could
not follow her home, as my engagement admit
ted no delay. Happy thought-the handker-
chief! j pulled the check string, gave quar-
ter and bid the driver keep the change. Just
as | had stepped out, and was closing the door
with one hand, with the other partially with
drew the handkerchief from my bosom, so that
she might see how tondly her gift was treasured.
Heayensn" she screamed.
Was my absence, then, too much for her
Perish the engagement! l will return and see
her home. Poor girl, what q violence Of love
my appearance has inspired!
Such were my thoughts. Meantime the maiden
screamed and screamed more violently-she
was in Mysteries she. had tainted Ileaped into
the carriage, and telling policeman who had
just come up to run for a doctor, attempted t
lift her tenderly into the open air.
) No sooner had she touched the pavement ant
opened her eyes, than, seeing herself in my arms
she shrieked more loudly than ever.
stHush, dearest!" cried; 81 am with you
will see you home; l swear shall never leay,
you. Do tranquillize yourself!"s
Far from obeying me, she put her hand to he
bosom and fairly rent the air with most unmaid
enlike cries.
: ssMy watch! my purse' Oh, save me som
one from this wretch He has stolen my pocket
handkerchief; saw it in his breast as he let
the omnibus. Oh, save me !-saye me!-save- :
This was an unexpected turn Of affairs.
dozen stout hands grasped my collar The po
liceman assured the crowd "that he knew m
q we'll that was an old state-prison bird, trie
about six years since for burglary with Blac
! Grimes, and only pardoned out three weel