The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-09-23


stead of goingit, down to his place of bust
ness. The quick perception of his wife hat
tlced a strange quietude in his mannr
all the morning, aud she smiled quie
smile to herself, as she stood before tn,
mirror IN her own room, arraying hersel
in her most becoming walking costume
for Mrs. Harry Vane was going out, too
She fitted dainty pair Of boots to he
pretty foot, aud frightened the fastening
of her sweetest pair of kid gloves, but OF
her most bewitching bonnet, and ther
took the last glance in the mirror to as
sure herself that there was Mt sweeter o.
more captivating little woman than Mrs
Harry Vane. I" He had good taste, al
any rate" she soliloquized, sand that is
one consolation" But the little half SIGH
which closed the sentence intimated that
it was Mt so very consoling after all.
After her own toilet was completed
baby was dressed in his richest and most
spotless robes, and Mary was entrusted
with the precious charge, and bid to fol-
1 low her mistress. Down the road trip
ped the little lady, taking the shortest
way to the river side. There lay the
steamer with flags flying and whistle blow
ing, just ready to convey party of hap
py excurtionists down the river. Mrs.
Harry Vane tripped lightly over the pier,
followed by Mary and the baby, and the
next moment the gallant steamer with its
holiday company was fairly under way.
Mrs. Yane walked leisurely to the fore
part Of the vessel, aud there apparently
much to her surprise, discovered Mr. v
sitting in most attentive proximity to a
handsome and snowy young lady, who
was evidently quite the slave of Mr.. VS..
destinations.
"Why, good morning, Harry! !" ex-
claimed Mrs. v, III her sweetest and most
cordial tones "this is, indeed, delight
ful surprise. I had not anticipated your
company. After you left home, l hap
pened to notice the advertisement of the
excursion; and so l dressed myself as
quickly as possible and hurried down
here"
What could Mr.. Harry Vane say in re-
ply to this most amiable wife-like greet
ing? Mrs. Vane was not at loss how
ever, to fill up the pause which his hes
itation occasioned.
"That lady is friend of yours, I pre-
sume-introduce me to her, Harry, said
she, turning to the lady. 'Vane's circle
of friends previous to our marriage was
so very extensive, that have not even
vet made the acquaintance of all of them.
| hope however to know them all in the
course of time. for nothing gives me great
er pleasure than to entertain Harrys
friends. Your name is? | didn't
quite understand. .a.......
Miss Wentworth" replied the lady,
bowling stifly.
"Ah! yes, Miss Wentworth" said Mrs.
Vane complacently. Il do mot recollect
of hearing Harry speak Of you; but it is
all the same my meu4ory is very treach-
ersus and indeed he might have men
toned your name, casually, you know, a
dozen times, and still l might have for
gotten it. But bless me! where is the
baby? Mary come here"
Mary answered the call, and placed the
blue eyed little wonder in the arms of its
delighted mamma
"Mamma's precious little darling. Was
it warm $50 it was. Mamma will take
off its hat-so she will. There, does it
see its papa ?-there, so it does, and
knows him, too-precious angel See =
Miss Wentworth, see how we'll the dar-
ling knows its father, and it isn't four
months old yet" And Mrs. Vaue dane
ed the chubby, red faced little thing up
and down in Mr. Vane's face and asked,
enthusiastically, "Did'n Miss Wentworth
think he was just the image of his "pa?"
There were several of Harry's acquaint-
ances on board. by whom the affair was
thoroughly understood; and it was not
loug until the story passed from lip to lip,
and smiles and filters and jokes at poor
Harry's expense circulated in every d.
rection. He excued himself as speedily
as possible from the society of the ladies,
and walked moodily to the other end Of
the boat, and there stood contem plating
what he should do to extricate himself
from this dilemma.
"What the deuce am I to do 2" he So
liloquized. To blow out at her, would
only raise row and circulate the story );
and | can't get rid of her, for the boat
won't put back, / suppose, on my account.
Cad if the water wasn't so hot, I'd drown
myself. To bring that red faced little
imp with her too! 1t is pretty child
enough, though; of course it couldn't be
anything else, and be my child she looks
deuced pretty herself, too, to day She's
a vast deal prettier than Madge Went
worth ever was-the baggage! If ever
get safe out of this scrape, catch me risk