The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-11-10
A JOUasNLY FOR A WIFE.


One fine morning in June, Albert Fair
child selected from his wardrobe his most
beautiful suit. and from his bureau a goodly
supply Of linen and with countenance glow
ing with joyful anticipation, commenced
packing a capacous valse, and making other
prepsr ations for a journey.
Mr.. Albert Fairchild was going TO visit a
young lady, of whom it Is necessary to say
few words, before proceeding ~lth the
story.
] Josepeine Marvin resided with her parents
in village called Pekin, in order not to Of
fend the modesty of its inhabitants by using
the real name; and out of the village she had
never iourneyed far. except three occa-
sions She had made three visits to relations
in town. with whom she had spent months
Here Mr. AIber, Faifchild saw her. admired
her; and ended by loving her devotedly.-
Satisfied by her beauty and excellence. Al
bert offered her his hand. out she said:
"You must come and see me at my home,
and become acquainted with my parents, be-
fore exacling an engagement from me; for 1t
mag be you viii not Ike them; and it is pos
sible they may not fancy you; n either case
l 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 inclined 10 IA
vor his suite. and blessed with tolerably
good opinion Of himself, which told him the
Marvins would not probably object tn either
his station in life or his personal appearance.
Albert set out on his journey viii, excellent
spirits.
The frs. forty miles of his journey. Al
bert accomplished in the space of two hours.
At small town he found himself com pelled
10 wait for coach to convey him to the vii
lage Of Pekin.
| Impatient to proceed. Albert became i'll
humored, and grumbled at the delay. To
while away the time, be drank cup of cot
fee, ate penny's worth OF peanuts. read
few paragraphs IN paper, and walked the
psrlor floor oil the inn with impatient strides.
Are you going TO Pekin?' asked quick
voice.
Albert glanced at the speaker, who was
middle aged gentleman, in loose drab coat,
a well developed waistcoat of worn and ia
ded velvet, hat that had evidently been
used for years; and who presented rough and
careless appearance altoget her.
Albert had one faul which is common with
travellers He had no intention Of being
social civil In the company of strangers.
If an unknown person asked him question.
in the rolitest manner, he was sure to answer
shortly or give no answer MOtcoNtT. AL
bert's motto, when travelling, was livery Que
for HIMSELF" and this he made his rule OF
ton. A proposal to put himself out of the
way to accommodate a stranger he would
have ridiculed as The height of absurdity.
Knowing this disposition IN our hero, the
reader will not be surprised that A lbert. in
stead OF giving simple affirmative answer,
or even a responsive nod. regarded the rough
looking man moment, and passed on with
out word.
Blu, the old man with the drab coat and
| the faded velvet waistcoat, in spite OF his
rough appearance, evidently possessed pa
tient and good uatured Dispositions. which
was not easily disturbed. Without appear
ing to notice AIbert's incivility, he quietly
remarked as he came IN his way again:
| "You are going to Pekin, should judge?"
| What if | am?' growled Albert.
! 80, nothing" answered tile old gentle
man, with good natured smile-"oniy I'd
advise YOU to book your name for seat in
the stage at once, ii you have not done so;-
for have no doubt there will be half dezen
more passengers tnan the coach can accom-
modate.'
Albert had not booked his name, and he
ought to have thanked the old gentleman tor
has suggestion. So far. however. from mani
testing any sense OF obligation, he replied
with au insulting HEM and abruptly turn
ed upon his heel.
Albert found there was but one seat in the
stage coach uner gagged, and that outside, he
had scarcely booked his name, when two
other gentlemen came up In haste, manifest
ing much disappointment on learning there
was no room for them iu the next stage Al
bert was therefore fully conscious that be
owed his chance to the old gentleman whom
| he had treated rudely.
Albert placed his valise on the floor in the
public room, and sat down by his properly,
to beguile his i'm patience with smoke. He
had thus been employed Tor a few moments,
| when the old gentleman in the velvet wais.
coat came and sat down by his right hand
Al lbert looked at him through the wreaths If
smoke. as if he gentleman had been nothing
but smoke himself. of di>sgreeabie quality
pufed away without noticing him further
"Wil you be good to give. me the
time. sir?" civilly asked the gentleman, CLAN
cling at Albert's snowy fob chain.
Give you WHAT" multered Alb r. as il
he had not understood at TIE same time
putting volume of smoke in his good humor-
ed lace.
The time IL you please, sir. Is i. eleven
o'clocks'
IL cont know" replied Albert, without
looking at his watch.
A moment after, the young man moved hi:
chair TO another part of the room, and sa
down, his back turned towards The drab coa
and velvet walstcoai.
The stage coach drove up shortly after
and having discharged its passengers anc
) changed horses, made ready for the Ieturn t.
/. Pekin.
Albert and another traveller occupied sea
designed To accommodate three, directly be
hind the driver Both were slender men, We
i they managed to spread themselves SO as t.
give the sea, the appearance OF being alre ai,
fal. lite stage WAS nearly ready 10 depar
full. when the gentleman In the drab Goa
came out OF the tavern with heavy carpe
h.a.x h.. 4 IL I