True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-02-18
APRRDICTION VERIFIED.

/.
at the bare idea of a Journey BY railroad,
some one wastelling the story Of Young
Venician, Count FlOrestain g.
Elegant witty and brave, the Count
had proved his courage on various occa
sions but the GOODNESS and strength ol
mind that he exhibited on every point
vanished entirely at the sight Of rail-
road station. A Steam locomotive was
70 him. the cause Of an uncOnquerable
terror.
In vain did his intimate and con6den-
iial friends endeavor to overcome this
weakness. The gravest reasoning, the
most merciless quizzings. were wasted up
on him. Perchance the young Count
had had a bad dream, or he was the VIC
tim Of some sinister prediction. A deep
impression overmaslered his win. He
was convinced that dreadful fate await
cd him, il he were so imprudent as to trust
himself on arailroad. For him it would
be hurrying to certain catastrophy, an in
eSilable death.
One circumstance making this timidity
still more annoying was, that the Count,
so dreadfully afraid Of the modern, mode
Of rapid locomotion, was great lover Of
travelling, an inquisitive tourist, desirous
Ofevisiting allctuntries In each Of his
excursions, he found himself stopped by
the change that was superseding post-hor-
ses, aud lie anxiously loresaw the mo-
menl near at hand when, the whole
world having become enclosed in net
work Of iron rails. a tourist would have
no choice between car or hack.
In the meantime the Count gave as
much work as he could TO the last survi-
wing Post-boys. He travsrsed Europe
during The summer months, and spent
every winter in some city, which he ex-
aminel at his leisure, and of which he
studied the maners and customs while fire.
quenting the best society.
During Q winter that he was thus
spending III Berlin, the young Venetian
iell violently in love with charming
young lady, who in addition to the most
seductive attractions, possessed the ad-
vantage Of being an excellent match. =
Then the traveller, who had already seer
many lands thought, the best thing ht
could do, would be to unharness his post
horses, and settle down in malrimony.
He paid his court, and was favorably
received f; without. however, being allow
ed to reakon upon assured success
Thus passed the wiuter and the lover be
gan to despair, when one day the young
lady at last made up her mind to the lons
hoped for ayowal.
Alter afew significant words whicl
filled his heart with soft emotion, sh'
said to him, II have promised TO spent
the next month in Belgium, where par
Of nv family resides. I-shall start to
morrow; it depends upon yourself alon
whether you will accompany me !"
WhatT exclaimed the young man
radiant, "aj journey together! 7"
"CerIainly," returned the lady witt
an encouraging smile, and a look whicl
made her meaning clear, g. can / proven
your going at the same time as myself, o
from getting into the same car on the rail
road I"
At the words car and railroad tn
Count grew pale intense emotion wa
depicted on his countenance. The lady
misiook the cause of the paleness and TIN
emotion; she attributed both to the effee
Of sudden and unhoped for happiness
and she added with most bewitchin
grace "Il is agreed, then; tomorrow
al twelve at the station"
The Count hating between love an
fear, passed terrible night. However
after long and painful struggle, lov
conquered, and in the morning he wa
iesoluie to- run the risk Of the terribl
road.
He made. his preparations with leve
ish resignation, and at the last momel
went to the station. At the. sight Of IL
engine which had just been hitched
the train. he felt his resolution give wa,
fear was again in the ascendant, and |
was about to retreat, when his lady To-,
who was there in all her beauty, came
him and said: "Quick get your ticl
ei! ! have marked your place next
mine III this carriage. where we will
alone"
Encouraged by these Aattering word
love. regained the mastery, and the Cou
procured his ticket.
Do come !. cried the lady. callil
her travelling companion through h
window Of the carriage in which she h,
p placed Herself.
> The Count sitting thought sprang fc
ward; but suddenly formidable whs
escaped from the engine, and he stopp
frozen with terror.
The wretched man remained motto
less for an instant, casting his bewilder
gaze, now upon the smiling lady W
was calling to him, now upon the SIN
King and shrieking locomotive {; th
with q gesture Of despair; he buried !
face in his hands 10 hide his shame al
and grief and rushed out oe sight.
Cursing the timidity which had CT
him his happiness, and which he cou
not conquer. he went the next winter,
seek forgelfulness in Paris. While the
he received letter from an uncle livi
al Warsaw. who requested his imme
ate presence. This uncle was very {
and dangerously ill., He wished, befi
he died to see his.nephew, ,swhom he h
not seen for fifteen years.
Make haste," he wrote, ~ hd
buta few days to live, but you. may