Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-04-30

my opposite neighbor, besides being ex-
ceedingly pretty, was the only presenta-
Bile female in the coach. Close beside
her was spinster Of thirty-fvo or there
abouts, with pursed up mouth, and two
fiat sections Of yellowish hair plastered to
each cheek. Her nose was long and
thin, while she herself was lankness per-
sonifed. Add to this pair of blue
spectacles, and you will readily imagine
that the beauty beside her was heighten-
ed BY the contrast.
There appeared, however, to be some
acquaintance between them, as observ-
ed the young lady speaking Familiarity
with her less preposscssing companion.
Tbesroad over which we we've riding
was rough and hubby. In parts it in
clined to one side, SO that one part of the
coach was higher than the other. On
one of these occasions the inequality was
further increased by the wheels at the
! upper end passing over stone. The
jolt was such that the passengers were
all violently thrown to one side of the
coach, and /, much to my surprise, but
not at all to my displeasure, found my
pretty neighbor opposite seated in my
lap. l made not the least effort to re-
lieve myself from the unexpected bur-
den; but the young lady, half blushing,
half laughing, withdrew as quickly as
possible from her embarrassing predica-
ment. On looking about, l observed
that q gentleman at my side, bluff,
stout gentleman, was in state of ludi-
crous perplexity. The spinster, whom l
have mentioned, had been thrown for
ward at the same time; opening her
arms in the vain endeavor to save her.
self, she involcntarily clasped her oppo-
site neighbor around the neck. In her
bewilderment, she did not Immediately
release her hold, but uttered succession
of piercing shrieks, which first alarmed,
and finally cohvulsed with secret laugh
ter, all the passengers.
Fortunately for us, we were near the
end Of our journey. My opposite neigh
Dor and her companion got ont at a neat
two story brick house, about half mile
from the hotel at which | myself stopped.
After passing the night comfortably al
the Coventry Arms. | inquired of the
! landlord, in the morning, il he could in.
form me where Miss Ethelinda Black.
stone resided
"In brick house, about half mil,
} from here" was the reply.
! !" A twO-story brick house, with lila,
bushes on either side of the gate ~
kinquirsd.
: THAT is tho place."
j at once jumped to the joyful conclu
sion that my pretty stage companion wa
the lady TO whose hand could urge 3,
strong a claim.
/ dressed myself carefully, and abou
j ten o'clock, armed with letter of intro
duction from the President of the Gift
Enterprise, walked over to the brick
house.
My modest knock called to the door
J my pretty stage companion. A blush Of
recognition showed that | was not for.
gotten.
Stammering out something about the
beauty of the morning, delivered my
letter, and accepted an invitation to take
a seat in the parlor. My inamorata left
me, to read the letter in private.
: Meanwhile, began to feel the EN-.
barrassment Of my position. Nevcrthe
less, | determined, now that had taker
the FIRST step, not to faint or falter will
such prize in view. On the walls o
the little parlor were various neat ant
tasteful drawings, attestng the skill O
my late companion.
While | was busily occupied in exam.
ming these, the door opened and admit.
ted-the spinster. KNEW her instantly
by her long nose and yellowish hair.
"Mr. Bugbce p she said
| bowed.
81 am Miss Ethelinda Blackstone, to
whom your letter was addressed"
was pe,rified. 1t was the aunt, then
and not the niece whose virgin hand
had won. In my dismay and perplexity
with difficulty CALCULATED that / wa,
glad to make her acquaintance.
81 feel, Mr. Bugbec," said the spin.
ster, casting down her eyes in modest
confusion, "that--that this meeting is on
both sides an embarrassing one. AS we
may both desire to become better ac-
quainted, may i ask your company al
tea this evening? Our hour is SIX
4 Hastily accepting the invitation, ]
seized my hat, and in very unhappy
frame of mind returned to the hotel.
4 IF it had only been the young lady, y
| thought, II should have been delight
ed, but never. never can make up my
mind TO wed this antiquated spiusicr. -
A hundred thousand dollars would not
tempt me J"
] took tea at the house Of Miss Ethe-
linda The young lady, Miss Carrie
Blackstone, who proved, as l suspected,
to be the niece Of the elder lady, was
very demure; aud could now and then
detect a mischievous glance from her
black eyes as they rested in turn upon
her aunt and myself. She said little,
but left the burden Of the conversation
to us. As might be supposed, it was
precise, formal and heavy.
After tea VIC walked out, was forced
10 offer nv arm to the spinster-while
Miss Carrie very demurcly tripped be-
hind.
| How long will this farce be kept up p
thought |, signing. ~ am very much
afraid Miss Ethelinda will throw the
| burden Of REJECTION ON me She annnars