The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-10-22

AJOURNEY FOR A WIFE

One fine morning in June, Albert Fair
child selected from his wardrobe his most
beautiful suit, and from his bureau goodIy
supply of linen, and with countcnance
glowing with joyful anticipation, com
mcnced packing capacious valis", and
making other preparations for n journey.
Mr.. Albert iUirchiiI was going to visit n
Young lady, of whom it ls necessary to say
few words, before proceeding with the
story.
.Josephine Marvin resided with her parents
in village called Pekin, in order not to
offend the modesty of its iuhabitunts by
using the real name; and out of the village
she had never journ"ycd far, except on
three occasions. She had made three visits
to relations in town, with whom she had
spent months. Here Mr.. Albert Fairchild
saw her. admired her, and ended by loving
her devotedlv. Satisfied by her beauty and
excellence, Albert offered her his hand hut
she said, .'You must come and see me at
my home, and become acquainted with my
parents, before e1actlng an engagement
from me for it may be you will not like
them, and it is possible they may not fancy
YOU; in either case | should hesitate to
accept your gracious Offer"
Miss Marvin had returned to Pekin, and
now Albert was intending to visit her
family. Confident that Josephine was in
cllned to favor his suit, and blessed with a
toerably good opinion of himself, which
told him the Marvlns would not probably
object to either his station in life or his
personal appearance, Albert set out on his
Journey with excellent spirits.
The first forty miles of his journey, AL
bert accomplished in the space of two hours
At O small town he found himself compelled
to wait for a coach to convey him TO the
| village of Pekin.
Impatient to proceed. Albert became ILL.,
humored and grumbled at the delay. To
while away the time, he drank cup OF
coffee, eat penny's worth of peanuts.
read a few paragraphs in a paper, ant
walked the parlor floor Of the inn with i'm
| patient strides.
"Are you going to Pekin - asked quick
voice.
AIber. glanced at the speaker, who was {
middle aged gentleman in a loose drat
coat. well developed walstcoat of worr
and faded velvet, hat that had evldentl,
been used for years y; and who presented I
rough and careless appearance altogether
Albert had one fault, which is common
with travellers. He had no intention o
making sociable, or civil, in the company o
strangers. If an unknown person aske'
him a question in the politest manner, h
was sure to answer shortly or give NJ
answer. Moreover, Alberts motto, whel
travelling, was ''Eyery one for himself,
and this he made his rule Of action.
proposal to put himself out of the way t.
accommodate stranger he would hav
ridculed as the height of absurdity.
knowing this dispersion in our hero, til
reader will not be surprised that Albert, in
stead of giving a simple affirmative answer
or even responsive nod, regarded the roug
looking man a moment, and passed on with
out word.
But the old gentleman with the drab Goa
and faded velvet waistcOat, in spite of hi
rough appearance. evidently possessed
patient and good natured disposition, whic
was not easily distuabed. Without appear
ing to notice Albert's incivilitv, he quietl
remarked, as he came in his way again.
sYou are going to Pekin, | shoul
judge p
"What if am ?" growled Albert.
"Oh, nothing" answered the old gentla
man with good natured smile-"only l.
advise YOU to book your name for seat /
the stage ut once, if you have not done SO
:: for have no doubt but there will be half
, dozen more passengers than the coach ca
accommodated
Albert had not booked his name, and b
ought to have thanked the old gentlema