North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-12-07
Sel&tt Stor y,
LOVE IN A STAGE COACH.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.
The stage coach WIS nearly full.

The stage coach WIS nearly IulL'
Everybody knows what that means On
burning August afternoon, when the sun
e!ows like live coal in the fervid sky, and
the dust raises up in dense columns around
the slowly revolving wheels. All the passen'
gers-poor, uavel worn mortals-were tired
and cross wells became an abominatlon, and
the palm-leaf fan, welded by the stout lady
in the corner, was eyed with envious glancGs
by everybody.
Old Mr.. Thorne was fast asleep and snor-
ins in his nook-probably wandering through
green fields where dust never sullied the dali
sizes aud hot roads were unknown, IN his
peaceful slumbcrs. But Isabel and Minnie,
his two daughters, could not sleep asd con-
seoucntly reapcd ful; benefit of dust and
sun and lolting wheels, Isabei's pretty fore
head was corrugated with rather unbecom-
ing frown. q nd her red lips were slightly ele-
yated, while Minnie leaned out Of the win
dow, trying to be patient, but finding it very
bard work, poor little thing
81 wouder five are almost there" sha
said, at length, with a soft. weary laugh.
Not within half doz:n miles," answered
I abel, pettishly. Why on earth don't they
have some more respectable conveyance than
a numbering stage coach to carry people to
the Sulphur Springs 2"
cIt is not so very bad" sighed Minnie
mcekly; shat is it would not be if the weath
or was not quite so warm, and the dust was
1t so intolerably thick.
"No, of course not" returned Isabel, iron
ica'ly. but you alwas were poor, little,
mean-spirited creature, Minnie, perpetually
irving to make the best of everything. Dear
me what are we stopping here for Good
gracious ! if they are going to squeeze in any
more passengers shall certainly faint away
Regardless, however,of Miss Us despairing
conntenance. the driver ruthessly opened
the door, and their party was augmented by
a tall, rather pleasant looking gentleman,
fJllowed by trim English nurse, carrying
rosy little babe, with nest of lace around
its head, and long, sweeping skirts ofwhlte
cambric, loaded with dainty embroidery,
The woman looked around hesitatingly.
Isabel gave her founced draperies an extra
toss over the cushions, and applied her CUT
glass vinaigrette to her nostrils, without
seeming to notice the intruder Minnie,
however. whispering "Move, Isabel, there is
more room on this seat" compressed herself
to small space as possible, and beckoned
to the nurse to take the place thus vacated.
"Nl innie, how can you be so absurd ?"
said Isabel, petulantly. ''See how you are
crushing my dress o, dear me, If that child
isn't beginning to cry hate babies p
Old Mr.. Thorne Strengthened himself into
a sitting posture, and rubbed his heavy
ewes. as the feeble wall of the little one fell
on his ear.
"What's the matter, Bell he asked, sleep
lily.
.tThe matter2 Why, cross baby, TO be
sure. A pleasant ride we shall have to
Rockdale, with that squallng IN our ears the
whole time. do think babies ought to be
left at home"
"Bell," remon strated Minnie, blushing TO
the very tips of her ears with modification.
But Isabel merely tossed her head without
looking around, too ill-humored even to no.
tce the soft pleader at her side. And still
the incorrigible baby, after the fash on OF all
babies, kept up its precious wall, in spite OF
the attempts of the nurse to soothe 1t ana
- attention. The woman looked In
divert Ito .Iemane brow flushed with
despair-the GEM,