The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-06-16

and offensive; bu. a. length unable 10 resist
/ the influence Of the drovsy god, he became
uncousciou. of the hints and gentle remon-
ssrances of his perplexed companion, and
actually leaned bis heavy head against her
shoulder with degree Of 6rmness and OBJ
stinacy which defed her effort 70 shake it
off; and, as il laboripg TO sound note Of
triumph, a rnan of victory, be gave
u,serance to prolonged and hidecus
| snorel
| Richard Wargrave occupying the front
seat, had been sstentively watching these
proceedings. and imbued with an inst,ncsivc
feeling Of galansry which urged him 20 press
forward upon the slightest Indication that q
woman was in need Of aid Or protection in
politeness on the part of the thick headed
gentleman. Blu: when Richard saw to what
extent he carried his rudeness and listened
to the unmusical sounds which issued from
| his eapacious throat, his patience became
exhausted, and leaning over the middle seat,
| he laid his hand on the collar of the uneon-
scious offender against propriety, gave
him vigorous SHAKE, and sharply exclaimed
awake up sirs Wake up. DoYoukno~ you
are troublesome to this lady ss'
The stout man raised his head with .
start, opened his eyes, and glanced 6ercely
at the young sailor, but seeing the resolute
| expression Of his features, and doubtless
aware that his conduc. was upiusiifabls,
he shrunk into the corner of the coach and
said not word. The woman seemed
surprised and gratihed at this prompt inter
ference, and bowed silent acknowledge
ment. -
When the coach stopped to change horses,
the stout man disappeared. and Richard
eagerly took possession Of the seat thus
vacated, anxious TO learn something of the
person in whom he began to feel a strange
and indeGnable interest. Notwithstanding
the service he had rendered her, he found
her shy and reserved, evidently reluctant to
converse with d stranger. But the manly
bearing OF the young sailor, his open and
! honest couuteBance which invited confidence
and his good humored remarks, gradually
operated in his favor, and induced her un-
consciously, perhaps, to cease her monosyl-
| Liable response. and enter into conversation,
| in the course of which he ascertained tha, she
was a sensible and intelligent woman, who
| belonged to Boston, and was now journey
| Ing to New York to visit relation, a sister
Of her mother, who resided in that city.
Although the veil partially obseured her
| features, Richard was confident from the
musical tones Of her voice, her timid de-
meanor, and her light and graceful figure,
that she was not only youthful, but beauti-
fol. The interest which her appearance
had awaked in his bosom increased every
moment, and he longed for the fine when
the oaious covering would be removed, and
every lingering doubt concerning her person
al attractions dissipated.
His curiosity was gratiGed On the arrival
of the stage at Providence, where the pas
seueers were detained an hour to dinner
Richard had an opportunity to gaze upon
her features, and take, u he wished 1t, an
inventory Of her personal charms. lie
found her moro lovely in appearance than
even his Imagination pictured. In the hrst
| blush on fV6manhood, with the complexion
of a Saxon, the form of Hebe, and fault
| less features lighted with smile and suf-
| fused with charming blush, she seemed to
| Richard something too pure and beautiful
| for earth. His heart was transtxed on the
spot; he surrendered his affections to the
! fair stranger without struggle, and impel-
| ed by feelings too powerful to be resisted,
and which he did not attempt to analize,
ho secretly resolved in his inmost soui to
leave no means untried to win the fair
maiden for his bride. .-
1t is hardly necessary to say that while
they remained in Providence, md during the
remainder Of the journey, Richard War
grave was exceedingly polite in his attentions
to the young lady, and made her comfort
his peculiar care. By glimpes at the way
| bill where his own name was regis lered as
Edward Dalrymble to avoid giving clue to
his whereabouts, he ascertained that the
name of his fair enslaver was "Miss Flor
ence." The fact that this young lady was
travelling alone, unprotected, a long jour
ney by stage and steamboat, which might
reasonably in those days have given rise to
misgiving on the score of her prudence, was
regarded by Richard as an evidence that she
was girl of spirit, worthy to become the
wife of n Paiadin, or even sailor.
On assisting her on board the steamboat
at New London, and in procuring proper
accommodation, and in cheering her spirits
during the dense fog which prevailed on the
following morning and threatened to pro-
| long the passage to an indefinite period, the
gallant young sailor had abundant oppor-
tunity to make himself useful, and deserving
of her sweet smiles, which were gratefully
dispensed. On landing in New York in the
afternoon, he insisted on seeing the bewitch
ing damsel safely conveyed to the residence
of her aunt IN apopulous and respectable
| part Of the city. He took leave o. her at
the door, after having obtained, without
mach pressing, her gracious permission to
call shortly and inquire after her health.
| Richard gladly avniled himself of this
permission, and called at Mrs. Longford's
on the following day and inquired for Miss
Florence The servant girl stared, grnned,
looked exceedingly knowing, and said ''Miss
/ Florence is a. home" ....
| The young lady received her visitor with
smile of welcome and degree of cor
/ disllty, which proved that sho remembered
and was grateful for his service during the
! Journey to New York. Ills no wonder that
be forget the object Of his visit to
that great city, which was to join the
/ first ship he could find bound on a foreign
voyage, and thus by a cowardIy Eight escape
! from the marriage moose. His views bad
undergone change. lie no longer wished
to go sea, and would gladly have added to
his fathers wishes to become a votary of
/ Hymen, providing he could be at liberty to
select the partner TO whom he should be
called upon to pledge his VOWS.
/ Richard called several times on Miss
( Florence; and while every interview revealed
some new aud charming trait in her chsrac-
I ter, and served to strengthen the chain
/ which drew him 20 her presence, he exulted
in the belief that bis visits were not consider
cd impertinent or warranted. lie was al
ways welcomed as valued friend. and treat
ed with rs much consideration and kindness
as he, stranger whose character and posi-
tiou in society were unknown, had righ,
I to expect.
One memorable dag, as Richard War.
grave, seated in Mrs. Lonsford's parlor.
| was engaged 10 conversation with the bright
/ being whose chains he felt proud to wear !;
she intimated wish to learn something If
/ his situation and prospects in life. He
then determined With that impulsive energy
which was prominent trait in his character,
/ to bring the matter to crisis, or 20 hasten
/ that event 81 assuming the name, character,
{ ,,J sers3S+sn, Ia which ts marie ry-