Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1864-03-19
LOVE In A STAGE COACH.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

The stage coach was nearly full.
Everybody knows what that means, on
a burning August afternoon, when the
sun glows like live coal in the fervid
sky, and the dust raises up in dense col
umns around the slowly revolving wheels
All the passengers poor travel worn
mortals-were tired and cross, wells be-
came an abomination, and the palm Leaf
fan, welded by the stout lady in tho cor.
uer, was eyed with envious glances by
everybody else.
Old Mr.. Thorn was fast asleep and
snoring in bis corner-probably wander
ing through green fields, where dust never
sullied the daisies, and dusty roads were
unknown, in his peaceful slumbers. But
Isabel and Minnie, bis two daughters,
could not sleep, and consequently reaped
q full benefit Of dust and sun aud jolting
wheels. Isabels pretty forehead was cor.
rugated with rather unbecomiug frown
and her red lip slightly elevated, while
Minnie leaned out of the window, trying
to be patient, but finding it very hard
work, poor little thing!
wonder il We ars almost there che
said at length, with a soft, weary laugh.
No within half dczen miles, an
swered Isabel, pet.ishly. Why on earth
don't they have some more respectable
conveyance than numbering stage coach
to carry people to the Sulphur Springs!'
at is no. so Gerry bad sighed Minnie.
uisekly, that is, it would not be if the
weather was no, quite so warm, and the
dust were not so intolerably thick"
"No, of course not" returned Isabel,
ironically. But you always were poor
little. mean spirited creature, Minnie,
perpetually trying to make the best of
things. Dear me, what are we stopping
here for? Good gracious, if they are
going to squeeze in any more passengers,
| shall certainly faint awsyr'
Regardless, however, Of Miss Thorne's
countenance of dispair, the driver ruth.
lessly opened the door, and their party
was augmented by o tall. rather pleasant
looking gentleman, folio we'd BY trim
English nurse, who was carrying a rosy
little babe with net Of lace around its
tiny head, and long sweeping skirts Of
white canbric, loaded with dainty en-
broidery.
The woman looked hesitatiugly roand
Isabel gave her aounced draperies % ex.
ira toss over the cushions, and spplied
her cutglass vinaigrette to her nos.rils,
without seeming to notice the intruder
Minnie, however, whispering "Move lisa.
bel-there is more room on the seat"
compressed herself to rs small space as
possible, and beckoned to the nurse to
take the place thus vacated.
Minnie, how can you be 90 absurd ~
said Isabel, petulan,ly. "see how you
are crushing my dress o, dear me! if
that child isn't beginning to cry! hate
babies!' 49, "~~ @~"~"@
Old Mr.. Thorne Strengthened himself
into sitting posture, and rubbed his
heavy eyes rs the feeble wall of the little
one fell on his ear.
"Whats the matter, Bell?" be asked
sleepily.
"The matter2 Why, cross baby, to
be sure. A pleasant ride we shall have
to Rockdale with that squAlling in our
ears the whole time. do think babies
ought to be kept at komtr
Bell! demonstrated Minnie, blushing
to the very tips of her ears with sheer
modification. But Isabel merely tossed
her head without looking around. too i'll.
humored even to notice the soft pleader
1t her side. Aud still the incorrigaole
baby. kept up its pi,eous vail, in spite of
the nurses attempts to soothe it and d.
vert its attention. The woman looked in
despair-the gentleman's brow flushed
with annoyance.
Let me .ako it," said Minnie, softly.
Il think can quiet the little think
II am afraid it will annoy you, said
the gentleman opposite. / am sorry
"Oh, no, not bit," said Minnie. ~
am very fond Of babies. Do give it to
me. nurse T.
Il was strange how soon that baby dis.
covered that it was in loving bands
Gradually the little wringled forehead
smoo.hed out like white wsx-slowly the
tears ceased and the scarlet lip stopped
ito quiver as Minnie laid of the smother
ing cap, which all nurses seems to consid.
er necessary ingredient for the suffoca.
ton infants. and smoo,hed tho tilky hair
and whispered coaxing "baby talk in
.hs little pink ears.