The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-06-10
McGREGOR, IOWA, "WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1863
me, and said, in tone more suitable to q

me, and said, in tone more suitable to
command than request:
"Will you please to move your feet, sir
and let me sit down."
had good mind to say "No" but
somehow, l had not the courage, therefore
I slowly put down one foot after the other
folded my arms, and turned to look out o
the window, while the lady squeezed her
self in, spread out her crinoline, and pro.
cecded to make herself comfortable. She
had a reticule on her arm, and carried a
little poodle wrapped in white mer,no
shawl. At intervals she inserted her glove
into the opening of the rct,cule, and Dire "
forth small pound cakes, with which she
fed herself and the dog alternately. The
poodle was pink eyed, caterpillar looking
concern, and l made up my mind that the
veied lady was an exceedingly ugly old
maid. fell sort Of unaccountable spite
towards her. Why need she have squeezed
herself into that particular seat. there were
others vacant. IT was a plan to disturb
my nap-probably to attract my attention
and longed to punish her for it.
In the next seat was an old gentleman
farmer-looking person-who had already
made sociable advances. Under cover Of a
conversation with this individual, talked
at my crinoline neighbor. remarked on
the disgusting practice Of taking pets upon
journeys; | commented on the absurdity
Of the female costume, and expressed my
opinion Of intrusive women who considered
public vehicles their especial property, and
wound up by denunciation Of the whole
sex as inferior animals. Looking around,
at last, to observe the effect upon my neigh
Dor, | thought heard faint gggle pro-
ceeding from the depths Of the blue veil
This ir, itated me still more, and revenged
myself by opening the window. 1t was a
cold day, and the draught was very dis
agreeable; but bore the discomfort Ike a
hero, for the female in the seat beside me
had to suffer likewise, and the thought
made me happy. For while she went on
fondling and feeding that detestable poodle,
without taking notice Of my maneuvre !;
but soon little shrugs Of the shoulders,
short.coughs, and additional foldings of the
travelling shawl, gave token Of her displea-
sure, and finally she turned the blue veil
towards me, and made the cool req lest that
I would shut the window. My blood was
up, and answered superciliously
"There are other seats, madam, where
you will not feel the air: prefer having
the window open"
The blue veil futtered, as though the
head beneath it was tossed Indignantly, and
the lady gathered up her poodle, reticule,
and parcels, and crossed to seat beyond
the reach of the draught, at which rejoic-
ed. For forms sake, l Kept the window
up for ten minutes or so, and .hen. closing
it, put up my feet, and composed myself
for another nap.
This time slept. Iawoke with start,
and sat bolt upright, wondering who was,
where l was, and what had happened to
me. My frst distinct impression was, that
had somehow taken terrible cold. Then
remembered the window, and knew how
I took it. Opposite, with some five seats
between US, sat the lady in the blue veil
She had put it up at last, and | saw her
features. No high-nosed, sallow coun.
tenance, such as had expected, but a
charming, rosy checked, black. eyed face,
encircled by mass Of black hair that coil
ed itself up in links and waves and ringlets,
every one heart snare by ITSELF had
never seen beautiful woman before.
would have shut twenty windows, moved
my seat twenty times, done anything. in
fact, to have had her again sitting beside
me. l wanted to apologize. lsnged tu
appear in more favorable light, but all in
vain. There she sat, still feeding her poodle
from that inexhaustible reticule, and never
even looking towards me.
At twilight the train stopped at the New
York depot. ! had not moved my eyes
from her face since first saw it, and
sighed as she vanished in the recesses of a
cab. II she ever remembered me, it would
be as that nselent, disobliging fellow who
made such rude speeches and would no.
shut the window. Portmanteau in hand,
selected the most convenient stage, ant
was soon on my way to the residence o
my Aunt Briggs. My cousin opened th'
door for me, and, after the usual greetings
ushered me into my own room with the in
| formation that dinner would be ready ir
ten minutes. In the hustle Of unpackins
my clothing. and completing my toilet,
did not at first notice that the door Of th'
adjoining room stood ajar, and it was tot
late to close it, when heard my aunt's voice
utter the words:
Mercy, what bear! How differen
from Albert"
"But il you had heard him Description
will never do him justice. Oh, Mrs. Briggs
if YOU could have heard him: There ar
other seats where you will not feel the al,
| wish to have this window OPEN And h
was shivering with cold all the while, | as
sure you"
Coed gracious! It was the voice Of tn
| lnl, -, tho h1,,a vail hat roSnNnAoA Oh
was there in the house-I should meet he
at dinner. time. had wild thoughts @
seizing my portmanteau and taking passag
that very night for Ireland, or Africa, o
the Feejee Islands, or any other localit.
where our paths would never cross eac
other. In the midst Of my consternatio
one hope crossed my mind-she might nc
recognise me. Somewhat coMforted,
obeysd the summons Of the dinner bell an
descended.
Miss Earle. my nephew, Mr.. Albcr
Bonny CASTLE" l bowed--she curtised-
and read my fate in the first gleam of he
black eye. She knew me, and she mean
to punish me. What endured that nigh
no one knew. My aunt recited the stor
Of the rude young man in the cars for m
ucutll, anu MISS ELuttc-Nutt WAS hS
christian name-askcd me, with meanin
glance, il he "wasn't beary" l agree
heartily, and was laughed at for my pains
Over and over again were my remarks upo
the poodle, crinoline, and the softer Sc!
commented upon, and innocent Aunt Brigg
never guessed the secret iron which Mis-
Kitty Earle was driving into the remorsefi
soul of her nephew Albert, the young ma
, who knew enough" Oh, that ev!ous blu
veil how mathematical it!
l was in love with Kitty. No one coul
have helped loving her; and it was tcrrib
to feel as did, and never be able to al
proach her freely and frankly, with frient
" outstretched hand and friendly into
change Of sentiment.
When We had been under the same ro
three long months, matters had not change