The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-19
He started-found that the cars had stonn.d

and that several new passengers were blocka
ding the passage-way at his left. Among these,
the owner of that voice stood most conspicuous-
thin, sallow-faced lady, rather over-dressed
for travelling, all the features of whose face
seemed for the moment concentrated into an
expression of distress. Two or three children
were clinging to her shawl, and at least dozen
different packages filled their several arms
and the hands of young lady who accompa-
MED them, and who was at that instant settling
q reluctant boy into vacant space, with
bandbox in his lap.
Now, politeness in a railroad car is, as every
body knows, a very different thing from polite
ness in parlor. The dictates of selfpreser-
walton and selfconvenience are by far the most
peremptory ones that press on a mans mind,
especially if he had been suddenly aroused
from an after-dinner nap. So George Oakley,
seeing at glance that he could not accommo-
date the whole party, contented himself with
mutely drawing himself up into the corner of
his seat, and indicating to the disconnected
lady, by an expressive wave of the hand, that
she was at liberty to take the unoccupied half.
She Immediately dropped into it, with short
sigh of relief, loosened her saffron-colored bon
net-strings, and began to fan vebemently The
young lady, who had by this time disposed of
all the remaining children, stood for a moment
"Fanny!" exclaimed the elder lady, in
shrill tone, "don't go off and leave mel /
can't get along without you! Here's gentle
man will give you his seat, I'm sure"-snd
with that she turned to George, who had al
ready risen, and was most gallantly making the
desired motions.
Thank you, sir; keep your seatl" said the
young lady, with graceful gesture, but in a
very decisive tone. Her lip arched slightly as
she spoke, but no shadow came over the cheer
full repose of her countenance. Before George
had recovered from his surprise at the unex.
pected refusal of his gallant offer, she had
dropped a parcel of books and bag of apples
into her companions lap, and walked to the
other extremity of the car. On little seat
facing all the others, she established herself
and opening a monthly magazine, sat reading,
as demurely as though hundred pairs of eyes
were not turned upon her every other moment
She had aroused Georges curiosity, and he
observed her closely. She was dressed in
closely fitting brown travelling dress, with the
plainest of collars; but the pin that fastened
it was set with diamonds. There was some
thing decidedly aristecratic, too, George fan
cied, in the graceful contour of her head,
though it was covered with chip hat. The
countenance was pleasing, but how could any
thing but pride endure, without blush, the
stare of scores of eyes?
"a woman of the world" thought he; and
withdrew his attention to the lady at his side,
whose anxieties for every child and bundle in
her possession were numberless and most
wearying. Every station she imagined to be
Dunkirk, and at every stoppage Of a moment
she summoned all her children about her, at
the same time calling and reckoning Fanny"
from the recesses of the car. Fanny buried in
her book, was placidly blind and deaf to all her
entreaties.
ooh, am worried to DEATH" she exclaim.
ed, after her offspring had been jolted into
their seats for the fifth time, by the sudden
starting of the cars.
=" You are, perhaps, unaccustomed to travel.
ling, Madam" politely observed George.
al have travelled over the best part of Europe,
with my husband and Fanny. With gentle
man in the party, one can go over the world,
well enoughl But ladies alone, by themselves,
are 80 lostl"
He glanced at Fanny whose clear, untroubled
eye, now turned to the swiftly passing panorama
of hill and sky, gave no indication of feeling
"lost," and answered.
"Permit me then, though stranger, to serve
you and your party. Your daughter would per-
haps accept my seat now"
my daughter? Oh, Fanny! She is my
niece, sir. If you acould have the goodness to
bring her here!"
Miss Fanny did not decline this second invi.
tation; and Oakley saw the party only from q
distance, until all arrived at Dunkirk
The number of passengers was unusually
large, and the number of trunks and boxes
proportionably 80. AS the steamer for which
most of the travellers were destined was Cd the
1f 49, r. L.. L
more easily conceived of than described. Just
as Oakley had succeeded in rescuing his travel
ling trunk and box of books from two conflict.
ing hackmen, he caught sight of his acquaint-
ances of the cars children, bundles, parasols,
and al-in the midst of the crowding gang
He made the best of his way towards them.
"Aunt do take the children out of the ring"
Fanny was pleading, as he came up. III can
attend to all this. Do go back"
g But my trunks; they will all be lost !" ex-
claimed the aunt, in a sort of spasm of dread,
as she saw one tossed from the baggage-car.
She stretched out both her arms, as if to grasp
it. Fanny laughed.
"Csn L assist you, ladies?" hastily asked
Oakley.
"Oh; am so fustered and pushed about"
exclaimed the elder lady, nervously wiping her
forehead.
Two of the children here commenced crying
aloud-the one from the pressure of hackman's
heel, the other from sympathy.
"Thank you, sir" said Fanny, quickly; off
you can place my aunt and the children in
place of safety, you can assist me-"
"But-your baggage?"
81 have the checks" she cheerfnlly replied.
Stepping little to one side, and watching her
opportunity, by dint of emphatic but graceful
gestures, she accomplished her business Just as
the gentleman returned. She allowed him to
lead her out of the crowd, and to assist her in
the difficult transfer of the whole company, ami.
mate and inanimate, to the steamer.
Mrs. Dunbar Oakley had learned her name
from her trunlss) was sick tho next morning !;
and George caught only an occasional glimpse
of her niece, as she crossed the cabin from one
state-room to another. At dinner, both were
present, and seated at the right of the captain,
who had discovered an old city acquaintance in
Mrs. Dunbar.
al never take wine, sir-thank you"
These words, spoken in q gentle, but decided
tone, made Oakley look up from his dessert.
The Captain, with his hand on q glass of cham
payne, and most insinuating smirk upon his
face, was debating the point with his fair pas
senger. Her aunt, with a significant frown,
touched her elbow; but Fanny still firmly but
sweetly declined.
"Are you ateetotaller, then, Miss ?" inquired
the Captain, in quizzical tone, as he and Mrs.
Dunbar filled their glasses for the second time
"No, indeed hope not" began the aunt,
in an indignant tone. But Fanny interrupted
her.
off you mean to ask, sir, whether prefer
water to wine, on all occasions, can answer,
yesl"
The Captain gave her furtive look, but,
meeting her composed glance, he half bowed,
as if in involuntary respect, and urged no far