Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-06-05
Selctt Talt,
THE BRIGHTON COACH,
by THEODORE HOOK.

1t was one day in the autumn OF 1929, just
as the pavilion clock was striking three, that
| stepped into Mr.. Goodman's coach. In it
found already thin STRIPPING enveloped in
a fur pelisse, the oEly distinguished mark Of
whose sex was q tuft Of moustache on his
upper lip. lie wore travelling cap on his
head girt with golden band, and he eyed
me and his other fellow.traveer as though
we had been of different race of beings
from himself.
The other fellow-traveler ] took to be
small attorney. lie was habited in drab
great coat, which matched his round. lat face
in color his hair, too, was drab, and his hat
was drab his features were those OF young
pig.
There was one more passenger to take up,
and began wondering what it would be like,
and whether it would be male or female, old
or young, handsome or ugly, when my specu-
lations were speedily terminated by the arri-
attended by her maid. The lady was dressed
in the extreme OF plainness, and yielded the
palm Of gayety to her soubrette, who mounted
by the side of Mr.. Goodman, at the moment
that her mistress placed herself next my
pig faced friend and opposite me.
The lady in question cast hasty glance
round, merely, as it should seem, to ascertain
if she was personally acquainted with any oil
her companions. She evidently was not ;
aud her eyes sank from the enquring gaze
round the party, upon black silk bag which
lay on her lap. She was about four or i've
and twenty; her eyes we're blue and her hair
fair it hung carelessly over her forehead,
and the whole of her costume gave evidence
of want of attention to what is called "set-
ting ones self off to best advantage" She
was -thin-pale /; and there was sweet
expression in her countenance which | shall
never forget it was mild and gentle, and
seemed to be formed to its plaintive cast by
suffering and yet why should one so lovely
be unhappy?
AS the clock struck we started. The sud.
den turn of the team round the corner oil
North and Church streets brought flush oil
color into her cheeks she was conscious ot
the glow which was watching she seemed
| ashamed of her own timidity. She looked
up to see if she was observed she saw that
she was, aud looked down again.
All this happened in the first hundred and
seventy yards of journey Of fity-two miles
and half.
My pig-faced friend, who sucked his barley
sugar sonorously, paid little attention to any
body or anything, except himself; and, in
pursuance Of that amiable tenderness, pulled
up the window at his side. The lady, like
the beau in the fur coat, laid her delicate
head back in the corner Of the coach, and
slept, or seemed to sleep.
The horror felt lest my pig-faced FRIEND
should consider it necessary to Join in an,
conversation which might venture to origi
nate with my unknown beauty opposite, KEEP
me quiet and sever and anon" looked anY
iously towards his vacant features in hopes t.
see the two gray, unmeaning things whcl
served him for eyes, closed in sweet an,
satisfactory slumber. But no although h
spoke not, and, if any one may Judge b.
countenance, thought not, still he KEEP
awake, and ready, as it should seem, to jo
in a conversation which be had not the cou
rage to begin.
And so we travelled on, and not one sylla
BILE was exchanged until We reached Craw
ley. There my heart was much relieved
At Hands Cross he had dropped the corne
with the tufts horses were ready to conve
him to some mans house 70 dinner; an
when We were quitting Crawley i saw m
excellent demolisher of barley sugar mount
regular Sussex buggy, and export himself I
some town or village out Of our road.
here made small effort at ce-breakln
with my delicate companion, who consorte
with her maid at the esd Of the room, Will
. | |, with one or two more sensuallsts from ID
, outside, was refreshing myself with some col
fowl and salad. | ysntured to ask her VIII
,her che would allow me 10 offer her SON