The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-12-25
From Chambers' Journal.
The Mysterious salute.

As sat in the ladies' room al the Peterbo
Tough station, awaiting the arrival OF the Lon
don train, two ladies came in together, whose
appearance, although not exactly uncommon
caught rhy eye. They were nice looking and
certain number OF years ago must have been
pretty. They were not dressed alike, but there
was q pervading tone about them, alike in both
The large collar whose antique shape and rich
work proclaimed reverence for the taste ol
past days the cool white stockings and sand
less pruDella shoes the dresses not too long,
of a prevailing gray color; the brown Grape
Of the one, and the small white turnover OF the
other lady; the Tuscan straw bonnets, with
their primroses and white trimmings, and the
black and green wells appended 10 each; to
gether with the long gshaftcd parasols without
fringe, and the neat little baskets they carried
made it evident that these are what are CALI
ed "old maids
Caroline" said one vi them, who appeared
the younger of the two, I'VE are in capital time
really begin to think it is really less dreadful
than We imagined and If we can only get u
nice carriage, entirely TO ourselves
"Ahr' replied Miss Caroline, who acted
rather in the character o, chaperone to her
younger friend-"ah. there is nothing like be
ing in good time. Better wait an hour, Glenn
entina, then b. late one minute. feel quite
glad 10 hove brought my knitting; indeed,
never 20 anywhere without it /; and now that
cannot see very well without glasses, reading IS
out Of the question. You have Dr. Gregory
Letters there, ! see. How different the lltera
~ productions of the present day arc Really
the trash young people read now is terrible
when think how we were brought up. But
| wish Harriet Spyker would come. begin
To think we ought TO take our places.
Very soon after this, saw another little la
DIV, apparently about their own standing, bust
ling about turning round looking into corners
behind doors, and into all sorts Of impossible
places, till suddenly she espcd the two friends
and walking briskiy up to them, began TO tak
very fast, answering the inquiries OF both ladies
in a tone 40 headlong, and IN manner so live
w. that could hardly refrain from smiling Al
both with pleasure and surprise. The last Ia
dy was dressed in dark-colored satin gown
with no stiffness or crinolIne TO lift its chngnq
folds from her short, slight person She wor,
a small. black lace shawl, and white bonnet
adorned with an immense purple ugly nj
they are too truly called.
&" How many seats are in these carriages :?
asked the new conner, after mutual greeting'
had passed.
"Ircally do not know said Miss Cementina
II never travelled but once before in train
and | cannot say that remember. But, you
know, We could easily ask. SO sayiGg, sh'
went eisurely mp to a busy official, who wal
yrcasing the carriage whccls and said
Pray, my good man, eau you tell me how
many seats there are, aud what time we start
Where is the station clock All see II II
quite wrong by my!watch, which never gains oil
loses Then, sceing that he paid no sort o
attention to her. nor indeed heard her she re
marked cit is very badly arraigDed thai
there !. no information TO be hal, or any on'
20 refer 10 at these places
AN right, ma am ~ said the man. slammins
down the iron I'D with great noise, and moving
off sharply TO another wheel.
How very rude these men are - said Mis-
Caroline, in a condolDg voice. 1t is bette
TO manage entirely Tor ourselves, my dear, thar
10 be exposed TO such Insults.
All !" rejoined Miss Clementinas s"how dill
fereut from the old stage coach days, when on
knew there wers four seats inside which an,
lady might have TOR the asking, and when
scream or handkerchief from the window
would arr.st instant attention from the gentle
men"
Gentlemen = exclaimed Miss Caroline
"Oue cannot nov a-days tell gentlemen frou
shop boy or . grarisr--by the dress. at leas,
and the young men of the pre-eni time are 8
excessively saiirical and 80 devoid ol that de
ferential respect, without which, few year
ago, gentleman woaid have been shGt ou
from ladies society altogether.
II is 80. INDEED said Miss Spyker briskly
and declare IN you, nothing would iodae'
me to travel ia the same carriage With one o
those last young men-uo'hlng yon could nam
10 nv, Caroline"
Here oil three agreed thA, nothing 10 III
xhole word would iDiuce them to cD such
thing.
The crowd Of passengers Ho~ began 10 thisk
en. and | therefore tnos up my book and .atet
II. and 5000 established myssli comfortably i
the far conner OF q hr.t class carriage. ] hs
not been ihe-e very long shen J ss~ the tire
fr,end, approaching two arst ladies arr
10 arm. ADD brisk liiil- Mss spyker p~srInl
ars, into oue carriage, then ioio another ~it
ACE OF great snIiety OF lcng'h they si"o'
eth befn-e the ooe ! tsd chossu