True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-08-25
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CATERING A LOVER
BY JOHN ROSS DIX.

f BY JOHN ROSS DIX.
l WAS years ago travelling in The stage
between Baltimore and Richmond--there
were no railroads then--when at one Of
the stopping places the coach door was
opened, and an elderly gentleman and his
daughter entered. I was by no means
sorry for This, as had hitherto been the
only inside passenger, and nigh, was
drawing oD. The gentleman was evident
ly one Of the "Old Dominion" school
his daughter one Of the loyeliest creatures
eve, beheId. Little wonder then, that
in the prospect Of long ride over a bad
and dreary road, that hailed the appear.
snce Of both with satisfaction.
II was yet sufficiently light for me to
see the face of my fair companion. She
was about sixteen years Of age, but far
more interesting than misses usually are
at that dubious period; curly headed,
rosy creature, aich and good na,ured,
with pair Of eyes which were absolutely
unique. Their color was extremely full
and deep; the outline, tina. Of a prolong:
ed oval; and usually seeming half shut,
and shaded with dark eyelashes, they
gave sly or pensive expression to the
red upper lip, but if aroused by surprise
or mirth, they spread beneath the arching
brows with such brightness Of blue as
was quite dazzling. They we're eyes to
ST. and gaze upon, as you gaze upon the
sky for hours.
She was travelling under her fathers
escort 10 Richmond, and being, as | said,
without other passengers, l was soon on
good terms with both. AS i, grew dark,
she shyncss of the little ward gave way
70 the vivacity Of her spirits, and as papa
already gave symptoms Of drowsiness she
gradually addressed herself TO me in that
vein Of communicativeness which flows
so beautifully from young lips.
l listened as though had been friend
Of ten years. standing. while she praltled
on Of her school friends-of her visits to
New York, Boston, Philadelphia and the
like, SO that. in very short time ! knew
most Of her little history. When it grew
chill al night, / folded my grey travelling
cloak around her. and observed almost
with feadness, her little head begin to
nod, and her narrative to fal!er, until at
length, quite wsaried. she fell into q
slumber so deep, thatit was not disturbed,
when, Q, the irst jolt that occurred laid
her head on my shoulder, and passing my
arm around her, kept i. in that position.
lwas terribly uneasy lest the old gentle
msa should wake up and see how costly
I had manageA matters; bu. luckily lie
snored on in blissfaI uaconsciousness,
Icould aever sleep in stage. More'
over my Imagination was in great torce
SO as We iumbered along, amused my
SELF with various reveries concerning .he
destiny Of the pretty creature hat slam
bsred on my bosom. Somedmes a fan
cifal idea arose that our intercourse so re-
Gently begun, and 50 soon to terminate
might be resumed on . future day; ant
Ibusied myself with imagining the lively
girl expanded into the loveliness Of wo
manhood, and again crossing my path by
some accident such as had already bro,
us together H'R
When day broke, the girl looked 81
beautiful and quiet, nesting in my cloak
that could not abstain from impressinl
morning salute upon her brow; so ligh.
ly however, as not 10 disturb her slumber
for she did not awake until the coacl
stopped at the hotel door, in Richmond.
/ felt quite sad at parting with m.
charge, and as lifted her down tn
clumsy steps, I asked her to tell me be
name, and not to forget me. She toll
me that she was called Madaline Paget
and that she had good memory; but
little expected when / bade her farewell
that should ever see her again.
'rriling as was this adventure. was
a. my then age Of nineteen, SO full Of .h
dreamy visions Of youth, and 90 great
stranger 10 the better part Of her sex, ths
during my short sojourn a.the South an
long alter my return to Boston. the PIX
ture Of those rich black curls waving Q
my shoulder, and the pair Of blue eye
tha! opened on mine when she awoke
the stage coach. perpetually recurred
any Imagination. How angry was
my stupidity in negIecling to ask her lh
precise address Of her Virginian home
Indeed, j iormented all I met from cha