Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-08-20
TAXING CHARGE OF LADY.

TAXING CHARGE OF LADY.
The steamer Ben Franklin-it was many
years ago, reader-was just on the point Of
leaving her dook at Providence when slender,
pale young man with sandy whiskers and green
ewes, who had Just safely slowed away his va
liss, honorably paid his fare, and purchased
supper ticket, and now stood upon the deck
leaning upon his blue cotton umbrella, in q
mild attitude of contemplation, was accosted by
benevolent looking gentleman, in gold bowed
spectseles, upon whose arm hung feminine in
q bright blue mazarine, blue broad cloth travel
ing habit, with gold watch in her waist, and
a a green veil over her face, with the Ito the
\ stimid young msn) startling question Of
Pray, sir, will you be SO kind as to take
charge Of a lady?'
The slender young man with the blue cotton
L umbrella blushed up to the roots Of his sandy
hair. but he bowed deeply and afirmatively.
"We were disappointed in not meeting
friend, sir" continued the benevolent looking
old gentleman, g and so L had to trust to
chance to find an escort for Fanny. Only as
far as New York, sir !; my daughter will give
You very little trouble. She's strong minded
independent woman, and abundantly able to
take care Of herself; but L don't like the idea
Of ladies travelling alone. If the boat sinks
sir, she's abundantly able to swim ashore.
Good by, Fanny
Father" said the lady in the blue habit,
in deep and mellow baritOne-rather a queer
voice for q WOMAN a parting salute W She
threw back her veil, displaying a pair of
piercing black eyes, kissed the paterna1 cheek,
yeiled the black eyes a moment with lace
bOrdered handkerchief, as her sire descended
the gang plank-his exit being deprived of
dignity by the sudden withdrawal Of the board
and then placed her arm within that of the
sandy haired young gentleman, and began walk
ing him up and down the promenade deck.
Isn't this delightful % said she. 40,
what can exceed the pleasure Of travelling when
one has a asympathising friend and companion -
and she rather pressed the arm of her compan-
ion. She was strong handed as well as strong
minded.
Mr.. Brown, for that was the name of the
'<imid young man with the sandy hair and the
blue cotton umbrella, was not particularly sus-
ceptible, for be had already lost his heart to a
sandy haired young lady who resided in New
York; and besides, he didn't like strong g-mind-
| ed women; so he asked very unromantically,
\ but sensibly, if the happy parent Of the young
lady in the blue habit had purchase3ber a
ticket.
O. believe-I am certain he did not,' was
the reply. ''Father is 80 forgetful."
"I'll do it myself, then, ma am, if you'll ex-
cuse me a moment. What name 9''
Brown" said the lady.
My own name - cried the young man.
''1s il possible ?'' cried the blue beauty
What coincidence How striking. charm
hgn'
She made no offer of money, and Brown in
vested his own funds in passage and supper
ticket.
"You dear creature - cried the lady, when
he handed them to her, you are very atten-
tive. But there was no necessity for this sup
per ticket. am the least eater in the world"
She said nothing about the cost of the tick
cts; and how could Brown broach the subject
- There's that bell at last ~ she cried when
n allnr hall do loffa hr.
rorn, for people are so rude and eager on
posrd steamboats, that unless you move quick
you lose your chance"
Brown was hurried along by his fair friend,
and she struggled through the crowd till she
headed the column, and she got an excellent
Beat at the table. Our sandy haired friend had
7exslted opinions Of the delicacy of female ap-
pstites; he had never helped ladies at a ball,
or seen them In pantry az luncheon time, and
fancied they fed as light canary birds He
was rather glad to hear Fanny make that re-
mark about the supper ticket on the promena ade
deck. But now he found she could eat The
cold drops Of perspiration stood upon his fore
head as he watched the evidences of her vora-
city. She was helped four times by the Captain
To beefsteak-nO miniature slices either but
huge, broad cubes of flesh. A dish of oysters
attracted her eye, and she gobbled up every
one. Toast and hot bread disappeared before
her ravenous appetite. Sponge and pound
took up the attention Of one particular niger,
and be looked weary and collapsed when the
supper was finished.
Yet, after all this, Fanny paraded the deck,
and had the heart to talk about the orbs of
heaven" and Shelley, and Byron, and Tenny-
son, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Fanny
Elsler, and Schiller. Brown was very glad
when she retired to the lady's cabin.
The next morning he rose late, purposely to
avoid her till the boat touched the wharf. He en-
gagged carriage and hunted up the lady's bag
gage; fortunately there was not much of it.
This done, he escorted her on shore, and handed
her into the coach.
Now, them" said the one-eyed driver,-he
had recently lost his eye in fight, on the first
raight of his return from Blackwell's Island
{. where away! Oyster House, 'Merrikin, or
GlObel'
Where are you going, madame ?" asked
Brown.
Where are yon going? ?" asked the lady.
" To the American, ma am"
= What a coincidence !" exclaimed the lady,
rolling up her black eyes
" American House, drivern
All right-in with you :" cried the one-eyed
man, as ne pitched Brown headlong into the
coach, slammed the rickety door on him, sprang
Z 10 his box and dashed his sorry steeds into a
gallop In due time they arrived, and room
was engaged for the lady, and one for her cava-
Iier
Brown went up town as soon as he had dressed,
70 see bis sweetheart, taking particular care to
say nothing Of his namesske, the fair Fanny.
1he next day he was prOmenading Broadway
with Miss s., when he was confronted, opposite
ct Paul :, by furious man, with black whis-
kert, who halted directly in his path.
q" DO you call yourself Brown asked the
furious man, furiOusly
Ihat'sm my name, sir, said the sandy haired
young gentleman, meekIy.
Its my name, SIR" shouted the furious
man John Brown. Now YOU know who
am Do you know Mrs. Brown"
\ Il don't know, stammered the unfortunate
syOung man with sandy hair
no did you come from Providence with
answer me that - roared the furious man. get
ting a. black as his whiskers with apoplectic
rage.
\ IL took charge Of a lady, certainly"
hammered the guiltless but cOnfounded young
man
| lou took charge Of Mrs. Brown, sir-Fanny
ooph0nisbI Brown, sir, who has left my bed