Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-01-13
Albert placed his vaIlce on the floor in the
lblic room, and sat down by his property

ments, when the gentleman in the velvet
waistcoat came and sat down by his right
hand. Albert looked at him through the
wreaths of smoke, as if the gentleman had
been nothing but smoke himself, of disa.
greeable quality; and pulled away without
noticing him farther.
"Wiil you be SO good as to give me the
time, sir 7" civilly asked the gentleman, CLAN
cling at Alberts snowy fob-chain.
"Give you what?' muttered Albert, as il
he had not understood him-at the sare
time putting volume of smoke in his good.
humored face.
THE time, if you please, sir Is it elev'
en- o'clock ?"ss
II don't know" replied Albert without
look at his watch.
A moment after the young man moved
| his chair to another part of the room, and
sat down, his back turned toward the drat
coat and velvet waistcoat.
The stage coach drove up shortly after
and having discharged its passengers and
changed horses, made ready for the return
route to Pekin.
Albert and another traveller occupied q
seat designed to accommodate three, direct
lily behind the driver Both were slender
men, vet they managed to spread themsel-
yes, 50 as to give the seat the appearance OF
being already full. The stage was nearly
ready to depart when the old gentleman in
the drab coat came out Of the tavern with a
heavy carpet-bag in his hand, and looked
very inquiringly at the outside passengers.
Groom for another up there p he asked
smiling at Albert.
"We're crowded now" responded AL
bert sharply
"You will have to get up there" said
the driver, addressing the drab coat
''That seat ought to accommodate three"
"Then suppose | must take my chance
with the rest of you" cried the old gentle
man, with good humored laugh, as be
climbed up the stage. Sorry. young gen
tlemen, to trouble you to make room,' he
added, when neither Albert nor the other
traveller attempted to move; but believe
[ am entitled to a seat here. Ha! tight
! f., amt it?''
The old gentleman. who was rather cor
|pulent, appeared to take no notice of the
young mems unaccommodating manner,
but settled slowly and deliberately down up
on the seat, in order to avoid an unpleasant
pressure, to contract their dimensions, and
give him bis share Of the room.
''This is an imposition p cried Albert to
the driver.
"What is an imposition p
'Look for yourself; this seat is too short
for three men of ordinary size; this CO.. pu-
lent fellow will crush us 2"
Dear me! ] hope not'' exclaimed he,
II shouldn't like to do that, I declare !
But it is close 6t, isn't it? Ha ha too
much flesh is sometimes inconvenient, to
be sure"
"Men over twenty-six inches broad should
buy two seats. said Albert
"Ha! p laughed the good natured
old gentleman. Il dou't know but what
we fat fellows ought to pay for the extra
room we occupy"
''You ought to have some regard for 9TH
er Travellers" said Albert, advocating a
principle which he had never as yet consid-
cred himself
That's fact" replied the proprietor of
the velvet waistcoat "We have no right
to disregard the feelings of others. | be-
lieve l must diet my corpulency for the ben
eft of society. But we will be obliged to
get along the best way we can to day, for
my substance is rather solid. All. I am
sorry to discommole you. | only wish for
your sake was smaller"
This last remark was followed by good
natured laugh from all the outside passen.
gers except Albert, who had become, most
decidedly sullen.
The stage-coach now rolled heavily off
with it's load, the driver cracked his long
whip, and urged the horses into rapid
pace. For some time neither Of the out
siders spoke, each appearing busy with his
own thoughts. At length the gentleman
in the drab coat, whose patience it seemed
nothing could ruf1e, remarked, addressing
himself to Albert:
''This is really fine day, sir. We're
you ever in this part Of the country be-
fore p
NO." was the abrupt reply.
''Do you think it's fine region OBJ
serve those hills, which the spring has
spread with green carpets, and remark how
beautiful yondcr forest looks in the sun
shine! This is an excellent soil for vari-
|ety of agricultural purposes--well watered,
las you perceive, by river, which you see
glimmering through yonder clump Of peach
trees"
The only reply that Albert gave to these
observations was-~we are sorry to say--a
real piggish sort of a grunt
"You may travel the country" pursued
the velvet waistcoat, "and you will not find
a more beauti ii district than this
"-!" grunted Albert.
''The character of the inhabitants, too,
stands high. They are a plain, common
sense class Of the people, but they are dis
tinguished for their hospitality and genu-
inc politeness."
''-!" grunted Albert
eve are now in Pekin," pursued the
gentleman. after long pause. 'There is
a fine tavern owe, the hill"
These remarks caused Albert to start, but
too proud to betray an interest in anything
the gentleman said, he maintained stud
led silence
Thus Albert accomplished the journey.
Like too many travellers, he disdained to
appear sociable toward strangers, little
knowing how much useful information is