The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-05-14
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

the procession of passengers Just arrivediin
the Hudson river boat, who defled past me
on their way to their way to the cars. The
Boston train, by which l came waited as pa
tlently as steam and fire might, for their leis.
ure, with only occasional and faint snorts Of
remonstrance at the delay yet still the jost-
ling crowed hurried past into the cars, and
fitted through them in search of seats; their
increased number at length warned me tha,
might find it difficult to regain my own.
and turned to follow them.
81 beg your pardon, SIR
turned in obedience to the touch on my
arm, and saw a respectable looking negro
man before me, who bore the travelling bag
and shawl, and was evidently the attendan,
speak,' he said bowing respectfully, and
glancing at the portamanteau | carried, on
which my surname was quite legible, do
speak to Mr.. LIE Roy?'
Thai so my nsnie at ,vul servlce, wha1
can do for you? p
sThe young lady, Miss Florence Dundard
sir, who was to join you at Albany at six
o'clock-I have charge of her, He turned
to the person behind him.
The young lady whose dark blue eyes had
through her blue silk veil, now lifted it with
an exquisitely gloved little hand, and ex-
tended the other to me with charming mix
ture of frankness and timidity.
Il am very glad to meet you Mr.. LIE Roy,
she said. Il thought should know you in
moment, Cousin Jenny described you SO
accurately. How kind it is of you to offer
to take charge of me. Ihope shan't trou-
bic you.'
In the midst of my bewilderment, at be-
ing thus addressed by the sweetest voice in
the world | managed to see must make a
proper reply, and proceed to stammer out
wha. thought an appropriate speech, when
the servant who had left us for mo-
ment, returned, and abandoned it unfn-
ished.
sDid you see to my baggage, Edward?'
asked his mistress.
'Yes, Miss, it is all on
sThen you had better hurry to reacn the
seven O'Clock boat. Good bye and tell them
you saw me safely OFF,
stood like one in a dream, while the man
handed me two checks for the trunks and
entrusted me with the light baggage he had
carried; but l was aroused by the young
lady asking me if We had not better secure
seats in the cars and answered by offering
her my arm. In ten minutes We were seat
ed side by side, and trundling our way out
of Albany at a rate that grew faster and
faster.
[ had now time to reflect with that lovely
face opposite me, but where was the use.-
Some strange mistake had undoubtedly been
made. and had been taken for another per
son of the same name: but how to remedy
this now without alarming the innocent
young lady in my charge, how to find the
the right man among several hundred peo-
pie, and how to transfer her without an un-
pleasant scene and explanation, to the care
of one whose person was no less strange to
her than mine ! While these thoughts
whilled through my head, | happened to en-
counter those smillin. eyes fixed upon me-
q will not trouble or distress her by any
knowledge of her position, | concluded,
but will do my best to fill the place Of the
individual she took me for, and conduct her
wherever she wishes to 90, if can only find
where it is.' turned to her with an aiiec-
tation Of friendly ease, was very far from
feeling, and said, : it is IL long journey, Miss
FlOreuce.'
30 YOU think so? But it is very pleas,
ant, isn't it! Cousin Jenny enjoyed it SC
much =
'Ah, indccd!'
sWhv, what queer man = she said with
q little laugh. 'Does she never tell you as
she does me in all her letters, how hapPy shl
is. and that St. Louis is the sweetest place ii
the world to live IN? Dear me that | should
have to tell her own husband first. How
we shall laugh about it when We get there
SO it was to St. Louis we were going, and
was her cousin Jent.ic's husband, ! never
was so THANKFUL for two pieces OF lnforma-
ton in my life.
And how does dear Jenny look and what
is she doing, and how Is my dear Aunt Be-
man do tell me thd news p
sJennie,' said | mastering courage and
words. is the dearest little wife in the
world, you must know, only far too fond oi
her scamp of husband-as to her looks.
YOU can't expect me to say any thing, foi
She always looked lovely to me-
bravo p said the pretty girl, with ma.
licious little smile, 'but about my deal
nunty's rheumatism?
Miss. mean of course, Mrs. Beman i:
very well.
'Well ? sad.m fair questioner, regard
ing me with surprise. q thought she hadn'
been well for years
q mean we'll for her. said | in some tre-
pidation, sthe air of St. Louis (Which have
since found of misty moisty order) has done
her world of good. She is quite different
woman =,
q am very glad,' said her niece. She
remained silent for few moment, and then
CLEAN of amusement began to dance in
her bright eyes.
sTo Think said she, suddenly turning to
me with musical laugh, shat all this time
YOU haven't mentioned the baby'
know gave violent start, and think
turned pale. After | had run the gauntlet
of all these questions triumphantiy, as
thought, this new danger stared me IN the
| face. How was | ever to describe baby
who had never noticed one? My courage
sank below zero, but in some proportion the
blood rose to my face, and think my teeth
fairly chatter in my head.
| Don't be afraid that shall not sympa-
thize in your raptures,' continued my tor
mentor, as almost considered her. Il am
quite prepared to believe anything after
jennie's letter-you should see how she
cares for him. :.
sHim! Blessed be goodness then i,
must be boyn
'Of course said | blushing and stammer'
ing, but feeling it imperative to say some.
thing swe consider him the finest fellow ir
the world but you might not agree with us
and in order to leave your judgment unbl.
ased, won't describe him to YOU
sAh but | know just how he looks, fol
Jennie had no such sample-so you may
spare yourself the trouble or happiness
whichever it is-but tell me what you NEAR
to name him?'
sWe have not decided upon name.'
Tndccd! thought she intended to give
him yoursn
of name is enough in family lanswer-
ed.
The demon Of inquisitiveness, that, to my
thinking had instigated my fair companion,
heretofore. now ceased to possess her, fol
we talked on various, indifferent things.
and had the relief of not being compelled to
draw on my imagination at the expense OF
my conscience when gave the particulars
of my recent journey from Boston. Yet
was far from feeling at ease, for every
sound of her voice startled me with dread
l,,S 10