Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-03-11
5e!rrt Missrllunq.
WHICH WAS MOST THE
LADYP

"Did you ever see such queer look
, ing figure p exclaimed young lady
speaking loud enough to be heard by
the object of her remark. She was rid.
ing slowly along in an open carriage, d
short distance from the city accompanied
by a relative. The young man. he,
companion, looked across the road at Il
woman, whose attire was certainly not
In any way very near approach to the
fashion of the day. She had on faded
calico dress, short in the waist, stout
leather shoes, the remains of what had
been once II red merino long shawl, and
adingy old ieghorn bonnet of the style
of eighteen hundred and twenty.
As the young man turned to look at
the woman, the latter raised her ewes
and fixed them steadily upon the young
lady who had so rudefy directed towards
her the attention of her companion
Her face was not old nor faded, as the
dress she wore. 1t was youthful, but
plain almost to homeliness; and the
smallness of her eyes, which were close
together and placed at the Mongolian
angel, gave to her CO untenance Il singu-
lar aspect
''How do you do, auuty ?" said the
young man, gently drawing on the reins
of his horse, so as to still further di-
minish its speed
The face of the young sirl--for she
was quite young-reddeued and she
slackencd her steps so as to fall behind
tho rude, unfeeling couple, who sought
to make themselves merry at her ex-
pcnse.
81 Shes a gypsy ~ said the young lady,
/ laughing.
'.Gran' mother! How are catnip and
hoarhound, snake root and tansy, sell
ing to day? What's the state Of the
herb market?' Joined in the young man
with increasing rudeness.
''That bonnet's from the ark, ha ha ~
"And was worn by the wife of Shem,
Ham, or Japhet. Ha now I've got it
This Is the great, great grand daughter
of old Noah. What 4 discovery
Where's Barnum? Here's chance for
another fortuner
The poor girl made no answer to this
cruel and cowardIy assault, but turned
her face away, aud stood still, in order
to let the carriage pass on before.
you look like gentleman aud la
dy, said man who was riding by and
happeped to over hear some of their
last remarks; ''and no doubt regard
yourselves as such. But your conduct
: is anything but gentlemanly and lady
like; and if had the pleasure of know
ing your friends, l would advise them
to keep you until you had sense and
deccncy enough not to disgrace your
selves and them"
A fiery spot burned instantly on the
young mans face. and fierce anger shot
from his eyes. But the one who had
spoken SO sharply Fixed on him look
= OF whitening contempt. and riding close
mp to the carriage, handed him his card
remarking coldly as. he did so.
81 shall be pleased to meet YOU again
sir. Nay ask your card in return p
The young man thrust his hand in
;disnantly into his pocket, and fumbled
there for some moments, without find
ing card. 80
'No natter said he, trying to speak
fereely ,tsyou will hear from me in good
time" ,"'aa'T 4s s....;..,. .-..
"And 5op from me on the spot, if
should happen to catch you at such
mean and qowardly work as you ware
just now engaged in" said the stranger
not sseking to veil his contempt
~ s"Tlle vulgar brute! Oh, he s horrid
ejaeulate1 the young lady, as her rath-
er crest,fallcn companion laid his whip
r. uponF his horse and dashed ahead
How be frightened NO."