The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-01-30

from mother divers parting injunctions to
be a good girl, not to laugh too loud, etc.
q was, truth compels me to say, a trifle
wild " in those days.) We were assisted
into the coach. There were already six oc-
~upants but they politely abdicated the
back seat which We d to ourselves
When comfortably settled and our baggage
placed in its usual receptacle back Of the
coach, the driver cracked his whip and we
started. I now commenced throwing in
vcstigating glanccs upon our companions.
Raising my eyes encountered from the
front seat the glances Of pair Of rarely
beautiful orbs fixed upon my face. Said
eyes were set in face Of superior manly
beauty. took very rapid inventory Of
the merits Of his physiognomy, for the
blood rushed to my face unceremoniously
as encountered the scrutinizing Of this
respectful glance, and l turned to see if
Belle had observed this Adonis. From the
frightened color of her checks concluded
she had and that he had scrutiniz.d her
face as piercingly as my own. The rest
Of the occupants Of the coach were, as
once heard observed by a city exquisite of
a country congregation, 1.-The scum of crca-
tion"-at least, judging by externals.-
From time to TIM our sorry locking COM
pany left ms, until, before two hours were
past none was left in the coach save Belle,
myself aud the handsome stranger. On
the exit of the last Of the villanous looking
set, he, our Appllo, soon began in elegan,
parlance to "scrapc acquaintance" He ad-
addressed himself to me mostly, for Belle,
usually one Of the most social and loqua-
cious Of girls, was taciturn to deg. ec, re-
plying to his remarks when addressed to
herself, in monysyllables. I found him to
be intelligent, polished in manncrs-in fact
with that winning irresistible demeanor
which we call fascinating. During our con-
versation | happened to mention to Belle
something Of our anticipatio~s Of pleasure
when we should arrive at Judge Thomp-
sons. Our new acquaintance hesltatcd,
then apologizing for the enquiry, asked il
we were going to B. to visit at Judge
Thompson's? replied in the affirmative
when Ire informed us that he resided in b.,
was intimately acquainted with Judge rs.
family, and that his name was Morton. -
Fred. Norton aided he, with smile which
showed his perfect teeth, unstaincd with
tobacco and white as the meat Of the cocoa
nut. We had often heard Hattie speak of
Fred. Morton as the best Of fellows and Il
49th cousin Of her own. We now felt a,
our ease and telling him. our respective
names we were soon chatting with the fami-
liarity Of old acquaintances and laughing
gaily at our own wit, or which we esteemed
as such. A little after dark we arrived at
N, town some thirty miles from our
own, where we were to stay for the night.
Morton bespoke US a room, escorted us to
supper and played the agreeable and the
gallant till bed time, in the parlor where
We converscd, and played on wheezy old
piano, which he pronounced to have tone
similar to that of the fall of small rocks in
tin pan. and finally about ten o'clock
Belle and myself badc him good night and
retired to our room. Arriving there
seated myself by the open window, ex-
claiming ooh Belle, hav'nt we had nicc!''
She nodded assent, made a few remarks
about the moonlight, disrobed, said her in
nocent girlish prayers, retired and was soon
in that deep, sweet sleep which comes so
soon in early youth. l sat long by the
window, dreaming, erecting those gorgeous
castles whose architecture is so beautiful,
and alas! like most beautiful things SO
frail. When retired my dreams were Of
the events Of the past day, with some ro.
mantle additions which made my awaking
pleasant. In most genial humor we
started, after good substantial Yankee
breakfast and the second day was spent as
pleasantly as the first. We were again the
only occupants Of the coach and the hours
passed for me like dream. have seldom
met with any one, male or female, with
such natural conversational talent rs Fred.
Morton. l say natural, for it was evident
that he talked without effort in such man.
ncr that even trivial remarks assumed a
point Of significancy from his peculiarly
fascinating power Of investing every thing
he said with interest. Next to beauty, |
think this power Of convcrsing soell, this
inbred talent of charming in conversation,
is perhaps the most powerful of agents in
winning love. have seen an ugly woman
the admired centre Of masculine circle,
who charmed by her eloqucnse, and her win.
ming manner had neglected the beauty Of
the evening; whose face was lovely to
look at, but whose mind was below par.
Arrived at b. We were carried to
Judge rs door where kindly greeting
from Hattie's parents, sisters and herself
awaited US. Morton was invited to return
and spend the evening, and our friends were
pleased that we had fallen in company with
him and been so kindly attended to. Nor
tons home was near, and after arranging
his toilet, he returned to Judge T.'s and re-
mained till bed time Most Of the time was
spent by US girls in recalling school scenes;
and our past frolics, in which had usually
been ring leader, afforded the party much
amusement. Morton, especially, seemed
delighted to draw me out, and having tai
ent for narrative, especially where any fun
was involved, felt that appeared unusu-
ally well. Pleasurable excitement lent
brightness to my eye, and surreptitious
glimpse Mt q mirror In an adjoining room