Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-11-07

"And rs," said Miss Cleneniina, who be.
gan TO be very nervous, " shall never know
where to stop. How would ve' No one can
make out what the people say when they call
out the names Of the stations, and 1 an sure
We shall miss seeing il written up"
wish anybcdy VIC knew very wcll-of
course. If gentleman, one Of proper and
steady age-vss coming the same way" muI-
INJURED Mss Caroline, descending little from
| tue exalted position she had previously taken
Up with regard to Mics Spy ker's hiuted propo.
SAL Ii is in such cases as these only that
enc teets quite helples. o, how 1 wish we
were safe at home ~
AT this moment an sgitated little scream
oroke from the lips of Miss Spyker.
hat rs 1t What's the N atter7 Is IL
going off," exclaimed Miss CIementina.
I Think really do think-that is Mr.
Smith, said Miss spyker, in a nervous man
ner, looking out Of the window as she smoke
1t certainly Is" said Caroline; and de-
pend upon 1t, he is going by this train, and
| there is his servant behind with his Garnet
bag DO you think it would be improper TO
ask him to come in"
| co." exclaimed Miss Clementina, hopiny
all the same to be overfuled by the other two
sm AFRAID IL would be so very forward and
putting ourselves in bis way ["
But" suggested bliss Spyker briskly, eff
we were to give him the farther seat there, all
would be filled except one and with our
shaWls and umbrellas we might make up a
hgure IN the middle seat opposite Clemeptiua.
or else, you see, with two vacant places, We
should be very likely to have intruders. Shall
we ask him in, Caro- inc ?''
90 dear" said Miss Caroline, 81 don't
know what to do; what do you think7''
really do not see that in such an emer-
gency 1t would be improper" remarked Gle.
mentina, in tone vainly endeavoring to seem
neutral
"And declare, " said little Miss spvker.
hurriedly, " L see two other gentlemen iInger-
ing here, close by Don't you really think
we might he is so very highly respectable
such thorough gentleman, and NOT Of the
"Weli, if you dare call out, Harriet"
lou both really think L may then ?''
Yes" said Miss Caroline, 1--WE do.r
"Then make haste, F" faisered Miss CIemep-
tina And what with poking and urging from
her friends, and her own fears, with a dread
of being too late, Miss Spyker put her head
out Of the window, and said, in a voice that
slightly wavered beneath anxiety and her
sense Of the improperly Of the act Mr.
Smith, Mr.. Sm-it h." I glanced at the
three ladies, and saw they were trembling
with the combined emotions of hope, fear and
dread of doing any thing bordering on the
improper, when the door opened, and Mr..
Smith appeared
He was decidedly elderly gentleman, and
blue, white unmcntionables and waistcoat;
and an eyeglass in an embossed gold frame
hung by a black ribbon from his neck. His
face wore an expression OF great suavity and
beneyolencc towards the world in general
not remarkable for much talent or mental
quickness, but rather indicative of nature
at once bland and obtuSe He raised his hat
and bowed as he recognized Miss Spyker,
which courtesy was acknowledged by all three
in the court minuet style. Miss Spyker, hew-
ever, went straight to the point at once, by
saying Very well; thank you, sir; and,
Mr.. Smith, arc yeu going by this train"
Madam, - he replied, "I contemplate do
ing so. Can 1-can be so happy as TO be Of
use to any of you ladies?"
go, Mr.. Smith :" said little Miss Spyker,
gaining courage from her success, "DoNid
you take one of the vacant seats here We
arc so-so-so very much
Frightened" put in Miss Caroline, emerg-
ing from her fsuteuil
avery much frightened, indeed, !" earnestly
repeated Miss Clementina.
with the greatest pleasure, ladies You
honor me too much. / may have the happi-
ness t. be Of service to you, perhaps Allow
me- Miss Caroline , said Mr.. Smith, calling
up the tone and air Of one not unused to be-
ipg what IS called a lady's man as ho
raised from the hoor of the carriage W.,
oIine's knitting, which, in ',- estren;,v os
her indication, had fasIen to the ground and
stepping In, lie was motioned to tie farthest
compartment near my own window He was
very polite and courteous; but, from the mo.
ment OF ms getting into the carriage OBJ
served feeling creeping over the minds Of
the three maiden ladies, ii at their terror, bs5
Induced them to take a rather desperate and
extreme step.
They spoke much in low tones together. and
replied distantly, and with a sort of bridIiny
up Of the figure, when Mr. Smith spoke-a6
..r.F1a aDrs-n 20 ~ 4
herself, to avoid as much as possible giving
any opening for speeches even of common cio
Vlil.y, and to treat the poor gentleman much
after the fashion Of ? large house dog, which
1t might be dangerous to encourage in any
playful gsmbols, lest il should Re difficult in
the end to keep him within bounds. Their
chief anxiety now appeared to be to fll up the
remaining seat in the middle Of the carriage,
SO as TO make il TO a casual observer as il too
was occupied. There seemed, indeed, every
reason u suppose the plan would sacceed
Several people had looked in, as if in search
Of a seat, and retired under the impression
that the carriage was full. The engine was
apparently getting under way, and the plat
form comparatively empty, when, as they were
dressing up this spare fauteuil, the whistle
rang shrieking through he station. and thew
ali suddenly collapsed in the most direful state
of fright.
"GOoi-ness me ! how shocking 90 gssped
poor SlcInenllnd, whose small experience OF
railways made everything q source Of constant
terror and surprise Miss Caroline sank back
Frustrated and little Miss Spyker, with both
hands to her ears, rocked herself Two and fro
in state of suffering and dismay, talking
loud and fast all the time. But at this juno
ture, every other feeling was lost in sstonish-
ment, when porter looked in, hastily glanced
round, detected the transparent ruSe dc guerre
Of the " dummy in the middle seat, and flung
tho door ODen, eXclalmlug:
Room bore, sir-just in ime-I'n put
your luggage in, sir-sll right" And in there
sprang a TALL, handsome, bewhiskered and
noustached young Gusrdsman, apparently In
the extremity Of" saving the train" and in
great state OF excitement, caused by the un-
certainty Of the last few moments. Here was
pretty business. The feelings of the three
ladies for moment overpowered them ana
they sat in silence, fixing looks Of blank as
may on ach ether. Things were unfortunately
managed, certainly. In their anxiety 70 tB