The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-07-11
NEW SERIES.---VOL. 6, NO. 48.


pool actor, member OF the swell mob, and
a bagman-yet I could not, for the life Of
me, include her in the category of such an
individuals companions. Neither spoke /;
so that from their voices, that best Of all
tests, nothing could be learned.
Wearied by my doubts, and worried by the
interruption to my sleep the early rising ne.
cessitated, fell soon into slight doze, lull-
ed by the soothing "strains" locomotive so
eminently is endowed with.
"Bung, bang, bang" said aloud, repeat
ing this internal "refrain," and with an en-
ergy that made my two fellow travellers
burst out laughing. This awakened-me from
my sleep, and enabled me to throw off the
fearful incubus which rested on my bosom
so strongly, however, was the image of my
dream-so vivid the picture my mind had
conjured up--und, stranger than all, so per.
feet was the memory of the demoniac song
that l couldn't hell relating the whole vision,
and repeating for my companions the words,
as have here done for the reader. AS l
proceeded in my narrative had ample time
to observe the couple before me. The lady,
for it is but suitable TO begin with her, was
young-she could scarcely have been more
than twenty-and looked, by the broad day.
light, even handsomer than by the glare of
the guards lantern !; she was slight, but us
we'll as could observe, her figure was very
gracefully formed, and with decided air Of
elegance, detectable even in the ease and
repose of her attitude. Her dress was Of
, pale blue silk, around the collar of which
she wore profusion of rich lace, of what
peculiar loom am, unhoppily, unable to say
nor would / allude to the circumstance,
save that it formed one of the most embar.
RAISING problems in the efforts at divining
her rank and condition, never was there
such travelling costume, and although it
suited perfectly the froil and delicate beauty
of the wearer, it i'll accorded with the dingy
"conveniency" in which we journeyed-
even to her shoes and stockings, for no.
ticed these-the feet were perfect-and
gloves all the details Of her dress had a
freshness and propriety one rarely or never
sees encountering the wear and tear OF the
road.
The young gentleman at her side-for he,
too, was scarcely more than fveand-twenty
at most-was also attired in a costume us
little like that of traveller dress coat
and evening wuistcoat, over which profu'
; sion of chains were festooned in that mode
so popular in cur day, showed thut he GER.
tsinly, in arranging his costume, had other
thoughts than of wasting such attractions
on the desert air of a railroad journey. He
was o good looking young fellow, with a
mixture OF the frankness and careless ease
OF youth his manner and voice both attested
that he belonged to good class |; and the
general courtesy of his demeanor showed
one who had lived in society. While he
evinced an evident desire to enter into con.
versation and amuse his companion, there
: was still an appearance OF agitation and un.
certitude about him which showed that his
mind was wondering very for from the topic
before him. More than once he checked
t himself in the midst of some casual merri
7 ment, and became suddenly grave while
from time 10 time, he whispered to the young
lady with an appearance of anxiety and
eagerness all his endeavors could not effect
ually conceal. She, too, seemed ugitated-
but | thought less so than he !; it might be-
5 however, that from the habitual quietude o
J her manner, the traits OF emotion we're less
detachable by stranger.
We were alone then once more, but
somehow the interval which had occurred
had chilled the warm current of our inter-
:, course; perhaps, too, the effects Of long
g days journey were telling on US all, and we
e felt that indisposition to converse which
. steals over even the most habituaI traveller
K towards the close of q day on the road
d. Partly from these causes, ard more strongly
# still from my dislike to obtrude converse
), sion upon those whose minds were evidently
8 pre-. occupied, ], too, lay back in my seat ant
:. indulged my own reflections in silence.
G had sat some time thus, know not exactly
| how long, when the voice of the young lady
e struck on my ear; it was one of those sweet
Q tinkling, silver sounds which somehow wher
g heard, however slightly. have the effect a
e once to dissipate the dull routine of one'
l.. own thoughts, and suggest others more rela
d tive to the speaker.
e "Had you not better ask him 2" said she
II am sure he can tell you"
C The youth apparently demurred, while sh
l. insisted the more and at length, as II yield
! ing to her entreaty, he suddenly turned to
d wards me, and said
/. "I'm perfect stranger here, and woul
f. feel obliged II you could inform me which i
e the best hotel in Liverpool?" He made
At slight pause, and added, ~ mean a quiet
ID family hotel"
Of "l rarely stop in the town myself" re
piled /; "but when do, to breakfast o
8, dine, l take the Adelphi I'm sure you will
ut find it very comfortable"
le They again conversed for few moment
e. together, and the young man, with an ap
re pearance of some hesitation, said, "Do yo
re mean to 60 there now, sir!"
h "Yes." said /, "my intention is to take
in hasty dinner before start in the steame
to for Ireland I see by my watch I shall hav