The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-10-21
For the Journal.
Notes by the Way, of a trip Westward.
FROM STELLIE's PORTFOLIO.


bound. The cabin was quite full, and espy-
ing seat away in the corner, l made my
way to 1T, and once comfortably seated, look
ed around for a familiar face. None met
my view, and feeling somewhat lonely, (for
| had just taken hasty farewell of friends, J
| leaned back in my seat and began survey
ing my fellow passengers. Much may some
times be learned Of PERSONS character by
a close observance Of their physiognomy !;
but how much learned Of the characters of
those present at that time | know not; l
have never, and, probably never shall see any
of them again.
In one corner sat young lady, with a
countenance expressive of much amiability,
just returning from two years visit in the
east. Oh! how her eye sparkled with pleas
ure and became radiant with hope, as she
spoke of home and the loved ones she soon
expected to meet! Alas! thought /, how
many have been as near home and have, in
Imagination, as fondly embraced the loved
ones there, and yet never realized the antici-
pated pleasure. May thy fond hopes, fair
lady, be not thus blasted by disappointment.
little further on sat another, little older
and more matronly, attired in plain and
neatly fitting travelling dress, and looking
the very personificatiOn of goodness. felt
a strong inclination to introduce myself and
have a social chat with her, but timidity
oyercame me and | remained silent. Next
sat an old lady in silk dress and false hair,
with plenty of other :" fixins," as they say,
prim and shiny as if just issuing from a
starch factory, born and brought up away
down east in the land of wooden nutmegs,'
pumpkin pies and "steady habits" a
wonderful parsonage 10 be sure. She had a
friend who kept g big hotel' in Hartford,
and she had been there, and to New York,
and g lots' of other big places; but what
surprised us more than all else, and put the
climax on the preceding was, that she, the
aforesaid old lady, had been in sight of the
veritable iron horse, heard him snort, and,
" mrabile dictu,' been on ra'al steamboat
Out of respect to her age we did our laugh
ing in our sleeves. (By the way, fashion
able sleeve is admirably adapted to that pur-
poseD
The mex! which attracted my attention
was group of three; two parents with
their sick child. They were Germans of the
higher class, well-dressed and intelligent.
Anxiety for their sick child was plainly de-
picted in their faces, while its cries were
distressing to all present. Their efforts to
soothe 1t were unavailing until the matron-
ly lady came forward, took vial from her
pocket, and administering few drops of its
contents to the child, it nestled down on its
mothers breast and was soon quietly asleep.
Near this group was another person pro-
Tossing to belong to the "genus feminine, y
and sustaining the relation of mother to
three little-beauties, perhaps, but the dirt
upon their faces precluded the possibility OF
determining. This with me was inexcusa-
bic now, though it might not have been a
few weeks ago on land. The mother seemed
tired and worn, and stretching herself upon
lounge near table where some self-styled
gentlemen were playing cards, she fixed her
eyes on her playful group and proceeded to
give orders. "Get down or III whip you y
" Let him alone ;" 4" Stop your noise; and
many Others of similar phraseology frequent
ly fell upon our ears, till all were disgusted.
Not far from where sat was another trio,
composed of father, mother and only child,
sprightly boy of eight summers, who would
have been pretty but unfortunately, he was
"spoilt child The mother was a pale
delicate woman, with countenance indica-
ting much gentleness and amiability of char
acter, and real lady. The boy, as is often
the case, made many attempts at smartness
which were gently but earnestly reproved by
his mother, and laughed at by his father; in
short the father was plainly daguerreotyped