The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-01-02

board. SNOW, sir, move up bit if yo,
\ please"
Mr.. Edge was exceedingly comfortable
and did not want to move up; but, the ligh
of the lampjust ignited, falling full on tn,
forehead and shining golden hair Of the new
conner, he altered his mind and did NOV,
up.
"What lovely eyes - quoth he mentally
as she bestowed single acknwledge smile
"Real violet blue: the very color admire
most Bless me! what business has an ole
married man like me thinking about eyes
What would Maria say, the jealous littlt
mink? There, she's drawn confoundet
veil over her face, and the light is as din
as tallow dip? But those were pretty
eyesr'
The fair possessor of the blue eyes shv
cred ghtly, and cw her mantia close,
around her shoulders.
"Are you cold miss? Pray honor me by
wearing my shawl. don't need it all my
SELF
She did not refuse; she murmered some
faint apology for troubling him, but it was
not refusal
"No trouble--not bit!' said he with
alacrity, arranging it on the tapering shoul.
ders; and then, as the youg lady handed her
fare to the conductor, he said to himself
"What slender, lovely, little hand! !
wonder what kind of mouth she's got. I,
must be delightful if it corresponds with
her hair and eyes. Plague take that Id
vcil!'
But "plague," " whoever that mystical pow.
er may be, did not take possession Of the
provoking veil, SO Mr.. Edges curiosity
about the mouth of the blue-eyed damsel re.
manned ungratifed.
"Have you room enough, miss? I fear
you are crowded. Pray, sit little closer to
me-" .
"Thank you, SIR was the soft reply,
coming from behind the veil-as Mr. Edge
rapturous'y reflected, "like an angel from
the gloom of a dark cloud" And his heart
gave a loud thump as the pretty shoulde,
touched his own shaggy overcoat in a
nesting sort of way
"Decidedly, this is getting rather romantic
thought he; and then, with an audible whis.
per, "What would Maria say ~
The rest of that long, dark, rainy ride was
/ Il hat 81, I
own.
How gallantly he jumped up to pull the
strap for her. BY some favor:ng freak Of
fortune it happened to be the very street
where he intended to stop. And under all
circumstances we can hardly blame him
when the car stopped so suddenly that she
caught instinctly at his hand for support, 70,
the sqeeze he gave the plump, snowy palm
Any man in his senses would have done
the same-it was such an inviting little
4 lily.
Out into the rain and darkness our twt
pilgrims sailed scarcely mora than able t.
steer their course by the glimmering reflec
ton ofthe street lamps ON the streamnr
pavements.
"Alow me to carry your basket, miss, a;
long as our paths lie in the same direction, VI
said Mr. Edge, courteously, relieving her o
her burden as he spoke "And--may-
may be you'd find less difficulty in walkin.
ifyou'd just take my arm"
! We'll, wasn't it delightful? Mr.. Edge forgo,
the wet street and the pitchy darkness, he
thought he was walking on roses.
Only as he approached his own door, h,
began to feel a little nervous, and wish tha
the lovely incognito wouldn't hold on quit,
so tight. Suppose Maria should be at TIN
window on the look out for him, as she Otter
was, how would she interpret matters? III
couldn't make her believe that he only wan
ted to be polite to fair traveller. Besides
his sweeping declaration Of lhe morning
she would be sure to recall them.
As he stopped at the right number, am
turned round to bid the blue eyed regret
full adeu, he was astounded to see her. rur
lightly up the steps to enter likewise. Gra
cious Apollo! he, burst into chilly perspi
ration at the idea of Maria's horror.
II think you've made mistake, miss, :
stammered he; ''this cant be your house
But it was too late; she was already in tn
brilliantly lighted hall, and, turning round
threw off her dripping habiliments and mad
him profound courtesy.
"Very much obliged to you for your po
liteness, sir"
"Why, it's my wife" gasped Mr. Edge
"And happy to see that you haven't fol
cotton all your gallantry toward the ladies',
pursued the merciless little puss, her blu
eyes thcy were very pretty all in dane
with suppressed roguery.
Mr.. Edge looked from ceiling to floor, i
vain search for loop-hole of retreat, but tn
search was unayailing.
: "Well," said he, in the most sheepish Q
all tones, ats the first time ever was polit
r to awoman in the cars, and hang me if
! shant be the last"
. "You see, dear" said the ecstatic little Ia
, dy, 81 was somewhat belated- didn't expec
to be delayed so long, and hadn't any ide
; that should meet with so much attention i
5 the cars, and from my own husband too
e Goodness gracious? how Aunt Priscilla wi
t enjoy the joke"
e ''lf yon tell that old harpy," said Nj
r Edge, in accents of desperation, II sha
1 mayer hnnr tho Ia ct Of Il ~ -s- ---.