Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-02-11

chance Whenever our eyes chaneed
to meet, they were instantly withdrawn.
All this was very foolish, of course, but
I may allege, in my own defence, that
my opposite neighbor, besides being ex
ceedingly pretty, was the only presenta
BILE looking female in the coach. Close
beside her was a spinster, of thirty-6
or thereabouts, with pursed up mouth,
and two fat sections of yellowish hair
plastered to each cheek. Her nose was
long and thin, while she herself was
lankness personifed. Add to, this a
pair of blue spectacles, and you will
readily imagine that the beauty beside
,1anEz alai s
There appeared, however, to be some
acquaintance beween them, as [ Iobserved
the younger lady speaking familiarity
with her less prepossessing companion.
The road over which we were riding
was rough and hubby. In parts it in
elined to one side, so that one part of
the coach was, lifted higher than the
other. On on of these occasions the
inequality was further increased by the
wheels at the upper end passing over
stone. The jolt was such that the pas
sengers were all violently precipiated to
one side of the coach, and 1, much to
my surprise, but not at all to my dis
pleasure, found my pretty neighbor op-
posite, seated in my lap. 1 made not
the least effort to relieve myself of the
unex pected burden, but the young lady,
half blushing, half laughing, withdrew
as quickly as possible from her embar-
rassinga predicamcnt. On looking a
bout, observed that the gentleman at
my side, a bluff, stout gentleman, was
in state of ludicrous preplexity. The
spinster, whom | have mentioned, had
been thrown forward at the same time,
and opening her arms in the vain en-
deavor TO save herself, they involun-
tarily clasped her opposite neighbor
round the neck. In her bewilderment,
she did not Immediately release her
hold, but uttered a succession of pierre
ing shrieks which first alarmed, and
finally convulsed with secret ,laug ghter
all the passengers.
Fortunately for US, we we're near the
end of our journey. My opposite neigh
Dor and her companion got out al neat
two story brick house, about half
mile from the hotel, at which l myself
stopped.
After passing the night comfortably
at the Coventry Arms, L inquired of the
landlord, in the morning, if he could in
form me where Miss Ethelinda Black
stone resided.
''In brick house, about half mile
from here,'' was the reply.
"a two story brick house, with lilac
bushes on either side of the gate p l
inquired.
''That is the place. ollie
at once jumped to the joyful con-
clusion that my pretty stage companion
SO strong claim.
1 dressed myself carefully, and about
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
my pretty stage companion. A blush
Of recognition showed that I was not
forgotten.
Stammcring out something about the
beauty Of the morning, I delivered my
letter, and accepted an invitation to take
a scat in the parlor. My inamorata left
me, to read the letter in private.
I Meanwhile, began to feel the en- bar
rassment of my position. Nevertheless
| determined now that [ had taken the
first step, not to faint or falter, with such
a prize in view. On the walls of the lit
tie parlor, We're various neat and tasteful
drawings, attesting the skill of my late
: companion. -"'-" .l-''.t
i While Twas 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. Bugbee?'' she said.
+ / bowed.
Il am Miss Ethelinda Blackstone, t.
whom your letter was addressed"
was petrifed 1t was the aunt, the1
and not the niece whose virgin hand
had won. In my dismay and perplexit,
f 1 with difficulty calculated that wa
/ glad to make her acquaintance.
: Il feel, Mr.. Bugbee,' said the spin
| ster, casting down her eyes in modes
confusion, "that-that this meeting is OF
both sides an embarrassing one. As W,
may both desire to become better acquain
0 ted, may 1 ask your company to tea thi
y evening? p Our hour is six"
Hastily accepting the invitation,
5 seized my hat, and in a very unhapp,
frame of mind returned to the hotel.
: eff it had only been the young lady,
[ thought, 81 should have been delighted
= but never, never can make up my min,
l., to we'd this antiquatcd spinster Ahun
S dred thousand dollars would not temp
p ne?'
t, 1 took tea at the house of Miss Ethe
: linda. The young lady, Miss Carri
# Blackstone, who proved, as 1 suspected
to be the niece of the elder lady, wa
L very demur but could now and the
a detect mischievous glance from he
L black eyes, as they rested in turn on he
IS aunt and myself. She said little, bu
e left the burden of the conversation to u:
If As might be supposed, it was precise
E, formal, and heavy -..
n fter tea wa xuolLad o,,t -,z e.,