New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-11-22
social chat in a Railroad Car.

One of the finest fellows in the world, and one
of the comeliest, too, is Billy Florence, as we
always call him for short. He has about as
much 5onhomniie as the next man, and he who
has more will be hard to find.
Mr. Florence and his vivaelous and charming
lady had just fulfilled an arduous engagement
at Pittsburgh, and were turning their steps
hitherward by the lightning line, The weather
was intensely cold, and wrapping her CLOAK
gracefully around her, Mrs. f., growing weary
and seeking repose, reclined upon the sofa used
by herself and husband, while he looked around
for seat elsewhere, In the direction Of the
stove he perceived vacant seat BY tall and
demure individual, who wore white hat; so,
| leaving Mrs. Florence to the pleasing dreams
| that might cast their ssrafe and roseate shad-
ows' over her ear-rocked slumbers, Billy pro-
/ pelled, and after polite bow, took his seat by
i the side Of the stranger. Presently conyersa-
i tion was started Being affability itself, Flor
ence did the agreeable with peculiar politeness.
Casually casting his eye across the car, he dis
covered suppressed smile upon the counten-
ance of almost every one who had not, like Mrs
i f., embraced the advances of Somnus, and
passed many weary mile in state OF dreamy
Il forgetfulness. -
ssThe weather is quite cold,' said Florence.
Il "Yes; hut it's not at all uncomfortable
here" responded the white hat 5,s
az It looks winterish enough without" said
Billy. z @ = 's#
n But by warm stove and good shelter,
! who thinks of the whistling winds or the poor
devils who are exposed to them: was the re-
e joinder of the stranger. z45...s=
s Florence was puzzled The man in the white
d hat did not move His feet remained in the
= same position without alternately crossing each
other, as feet very generally do when one is COM
f. pelled to be seated for several hours without
u locomotion. Again, looking around, our friend,
re W. j., r., saw not only suppressed litter, put
q broad grin on several faces.
o ssIf it be not an impertinent question, sald
= he, renewing the conversation, which had been
10 slightly Interrupted, ''may ask where you
may be going?"
ssCertainly.'' was the answer. s'To Column
n bus"
y 81, also, am going in the same direction
I'd viii your stay be long there Pa, S..
y ssSome seven years. and closer observer
N than Billy might have seen shadow fit over
n his features He drew the white hat down
an closer over his eyes. and repeated, as it were tt
ra himself, /" Yes, seven years. ~
ne. $50 long 7" said Billy Florence, who, innocen
m SOUL had been so accustomed to knock abon
- through the broad expanse Of our country Il
ss .o the ful6llment of his successful engagements
to little thought of the different kinds of necessit
he that compel men foreman so long in one place
ke, At last the shrill whistle of the locomot1V
n announced the approach to Columbus, and Flor
EN- ence was preparing to take leave OF his me-
!! made acquaintance, when stout iooking maj
who had been sitting just across the aisle frol
me the two stepped over, and slapping the gentle
,ow man in the white hat Familiarity on the shoulder
as cold Canal we re here ut Columbus
ms; Th. wan in tho white hat arose and the
ind the solution OF tine mystery sent sueh sno.
ink through the heart of the sssold, z that he d
not not recover his equanimity till party of frien
o and the silvery voice of his dear little wife ba
ished the adventure from his memory.
ade The man in the white hat was fettered al
the ~.anaoln5 ond Voc a candidate for a huildiI
i'm n ooie' W - - -. L. on;.ol ,yha,
as IN C0iuMpuss Whioh mss nos NV eeSp1'ots ">t~-
out his term of service would be seven years!