The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-07-29

myself numerically for having talked so
long and so much, as listened to hear
languid replies and saw her head rise and
sink gradually forward, and then start
suddenly up--in short uodding-which
exercise she continued until sudden roll
of the coach threw her to one side, and
her head rested unconsciously upon my
knee, while one little nice and smoothly
gloved paw rested carelessly upon my
shoulder, and her regular but gentle
breathing denoted that she slumbered.
A startling thought flashed through my
brain: jolt of the coach might throw her
from her seatl Good Heavens! such a
catastrophe should be prevented at all
risks. With dauntles courage l stole my
right arm around her waist, and taking the
other little paw within my own, I gently
clasped that little, round, voluptuous form
in sideways embrace! Gracious! what
a position for an inaamable young bache-
lor like the subscriber.
: Now 1 suppose there is a set of misera-
| Bile fellows in the world who would not
scruple to take slight but undue advanta-
i ges of such situation, indeed I may say
that know such to be the case; in fact,
| am certain of it, for even 1 myself must
own, with; many bushes, (what lieD
that overcome by my feelings, l gently
and with trembling hand, ventured to
raise one corner of the envious veil that
shrouded that lovely face, and, for the
space of about two thirds of an instant,
daring to press in the edges of the opening
between my mustache and whiskers a.
gainst the painting lips of the sleeping
beauty '.Then for. moment o'er my
face tablet of unutterable thoughts was
sraced, then vanished as it camen /
dropped the veil. That abbreviated kiss!
how it thrilled me--flled me with fam
tastic feeling never .felt;" so that now, to
still the beating of my heart, I kept re-
lpeating: "'tis too confounded bad, Dick
Jones, to take such rascally advantages Of
| the unconscious little innocent; you're a
laundering scamp, that's what you are,
and if had you out of the coach this very
minute I'd give you such a thundereing
licking, that you'd rememberit your life
time, that would" and did feel little
ashamed of myself, though mighty good
at the same time. Resolving not to be
guilty ofsuch an ungentlemanly act again,
4 | leaned against the cushioned back of
the seat, aud renewing with my right arm
j the protecting, brotherly (anothor whop-
peril embrace, gave my self up to pleasant
fancies.
i "If now," quoted, elf now in that
chair yonder, not the one that your feet
lie upon, but the other beside you-closer
yet-was seated a sweet-faced girl, with
pretty little foot lying out upon the
hearth-a bit of lace running round the
swelling throat-the hair parted to 9
{ charm over q forehead as fair as any o.
i your dreams; and if you could reach al
arm round thatsehair back Gas am doing
: now without fear of giving. offence, an6
suffer your fingers to play idly with thos'
D curls that escape down the neck Gas
' would like oif / dared;) and if you coult
I clasp with your hand those little white
taper fingers of hers, which lie SO tempt
ol ingly within reach, Gust exactly as an
e doing, only the coneounded glove is in tn
t way;) and SO, talk softly and lowp-an'
b much other talk which may be found o.
!. page thirty of Ik's Reveries, and which
v undoubtedly should have quoted had no
# the coach at that moment stopped in from
: of another tavern and post office.
The sudden jolt of the coach in stop
> ping awakened my little friend with a start
! when, finding my arm around her, she gent
: ly yet firmly removed it. 1 muttered a
i + inarticulate apology, she made an equal
! inarticulate reply, as people always d
, when they have nothing whatever to say
!, I saw, however, that she was not angry
No sooner had we come to stand still
; than Bob jerked open the door and perciI
\ itated himself into the tavern. rose {
i the same moment, and turned inquiripgl
= to my interesting companion:
. "Could get anything for herr"
!, "She thanked me, no sir"
e e "a glass of water, lemonade, soda, cak
!. apples, oranges?" suggested, in my cage
d ness to be of service, barely checking my
- self as / was about to add "a brand
. smash or cigars r.
\. "She was greatly obliged, but nothinI
! n really nothing, sir, she assured me-"
3 Now that had made show of lea,
- ing the coach, I didn't like to back dow
70 and so followed Bob into the tavern.
70 the moment of my entrance, he was stan,
,e ing at the bar, gazing at the ceiling throue
!; thick bottomed tumbler.
at "Well, Bobby, my boy" I said, slappir
10 him familiarly on the shoulder, "ho
70 goes it,"
# His only reply was an impatient grun
~ "Why, Bob, what is the matter wi
sb you?" asked in surprise.
/ "Matter enough he replied sharpl
nd Gin the first place, / don't consider
ay quite right when we fall in with such COZ
no pany as we have tonight, for you to m
O. nopolize all the conversation and,
sr. things; and in the next place | don't wi
Is, to be snubbed in such manner as y,
"a have snubbed me tonight So"
n