The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-11-26
From the Yankee Blsde.l
TAKING CHARGE OF A LADY:
OR MRS. CHEvIoT's MIsHAPs.
BY Carl CANTAB.
[CcNcLUDEDl
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Half an hour afterward we were on our way
To my relief there was no double seat vacant
so that I was forced to forego the inestimable
of sitting beside my interesting
charge. This change gave me an opportunity
to look about me somewhat.
In the same seat with Mrs. Cheyiot was
a well-dressed man nofgentlemanly department.
He was what young ladies would have con-
sidered exceedingly captivating. He address,
ed few words to the lady, which were very
graciously received. After riding about twenty
miles in company with us, he left the cars, at
a small way-station, bowling very politely, at
parting, to Mrs. Chev1ot. @
Scarcely quarter of an hour hal passed,
after his departure when the cars brought up
with sudden jerk.
':Merciful heayensp' shrieked Mrs. Cheviot,
s'what is the matter? Do, pray, go out and see
what has happened"
very meekly obeyed.
s The cause of the sudden stop proved to be
that a baggage car had been accidentally
thrown from the track.
Iwent back and repeated what had learned.
Mrs. Cheyiot was exceedingly alarmed.
''Do you think" said she, convulsively
seizing me by the arm, 'that-our lives are
in jeopardy"
am forced to confess that the trouble which
Mrs. CheYiot had caused rendered me little
to mischief os
Il trust not,s i replied, with great solemni-
ty. +At all events, there is no immediate
danger. If the cars can be righted within half
an hour; all will be well. After that."--
"What? In mercy tell me WHAT
"a train is expected in the opposite direc-
ton, and unless they should see our situation
in time, there may be collision"
'tLet me get out at once, them" said the lady
whom this representation inspired with the
utmost terror 81 won't stay in this fright
full place minute longer"
This was rather more than had bargained
for. For my own part, knew there was not
the slightest danger, and / had no intention Of
foregoing my passage in this train. According
iy / represented that for half an hour at least
there would be no danger incurred by staying
in the car, and with much difficulty, succeeded
in inducing Mrs. Cheyiot to remain where she
was. For time, however, was fearful that
like the witch in the story, should be unable
to cuell the storm had myself evoked.
l was obliged however, to get out every two
minutes and report progress, and whether
anything could be seen of the expected train.
/ generally coRtented myself with stepping out
of the car, and remaining about as long as
thought one might reasonably be expected to
do for the purpose of procuring Information,
and then returning with the most satisfactory
assurances that all was going on well.
AS time advanced, however the lady's fears
increased upon her, and when twenty-eight
minutes had passed, she was on the point of
leaving the car in spite of all my protestations
that no danger need now be apprehended,
when she was thrown back in her seat, when
attempting to rise, by the sudden movement
of the cars, which had just got ready to start.
For this opportune start, thanked my
stars, and was beginning to sink into tran
quill state of mind once more, when it occurred
to Mrs Cheviot that the half hours delay to
which we had been subjected would very
much diminish her chance of finding her carpet
bags on her arrival at Boston.
| Feeling indisposed to bear her sorrow alone,
she began to give me a detailed account of the
contents of the two bags. Touching lightly
upon certain articles of apparel ofwhose value
| | could not be expected to have a very dsfiuate
idea, she proceeded to speak in terms of enthu-
lsiastic sorrow on the merits of gold snuff
box which had belonged to her grandfather
fortunately" she remarked, "that is not
the only article | have to remind me Of him.
He left me valuable gold pencil, which al
ways carry about with me. Whenever | use
lit. / am reminded of him. viii show it to
You if you have any curiosity to see it."9
Ofcourse, / would be delighted to do so.
Mrs. Cheviot began to search for it in her
pocket From the change which her features
underwent, it was evident that she could not
find it.
%Do you not find it?p inquired.
"No,7 said she, still searching, ''it is gone,
and, good Heayens!my purse with it. Both
have disappeared, and, !" she continued turning,
suddenly upon me, ''ycu, sir, must be the
thief!''
This charge came upon me so Unexpectedly,
that turned pale and then red, and DO not
doubt, appeared very much like guilty per-
son. could only utter: