St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-12-01
- ST. CLOUD. MINNESOTA. THURSDAY; DECEMBER IT, 1864

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rushes home, runs wildly about his
chamber, stuffs some shirts and black:
iog:brush into . carpet bag, packs ali
with his foot, puts his hat on ore side,
and his head inside the doo*,of hi. i,
mothet's sitting-rocm. "Coinse=. ia,
Phil.deIphia.: !. - YIN ~rite:'' Files
down the steps and through the street.
the skirts Of his coat blowing out .jubi-
liant behind. Sam coming hom. ana
ponderins on the oracu1a1r Y words vf his
brothers farewell, suspects much Of a
man in love. He resolves that John
shall not be made fool Of if he can
prevent it, and his presence and words
a'e usually potent So he packs 4 bag
after his brothers manner and leaves
town on mischief bent. The first news
received from John by the amazed Pop
kinscs vas contained in the following
telegram: : -
"Wife and I leave for New York to:
day.; Be in Hartford about the, 10th.
Tell SAM" &.,t :",i
But Sam Was a. hundred miles away
aud off the scent. :.:7~'s
When the Popkios pair reached the
great city Mollies was i'll With a head
ache, an affection which usually dn-
fitted her for the active duties of lite
for Two or three days. Moreover, she
had fever for shopping not to be ,ap.
reased. a. III
Nov, John," says she, "here am
nice and comfortable at Brother Rod.
ney's. Do you go on to Hartford,
break off your China negotiation, pre-
pare your mother to See me, and, settle
your affairs with your brother; 70, if
he is TO leave on. the Anemone cvery
hour is golden, to you. Rodney will
put me on the boat Thursday, and l
shall 6nd you waiting for me at. the
dock Don't hesitate, you foolish fc'-
low l know how important it is that
you should be At home at once; and it
you will not 60 without me. Why 1shall
be compelled to set off to-day With
you" ..
That plan was, Of course, not to he
thought Of, SO the :obcdic"t bridegroom
departs to fi"d on preaching Hartford
that Sam was il. New York.
Thursday came and the little bride
lett the city on the Spread Eagle, with
her great trunks previously marked by
the careful John "Mrs. Popkins."
The first hours passed sercnely
enoug b. There was handsome gen.
tlen.an sitting near her who evidently
admired her. Mollie seemed to be
reading Harper; but vas conscious of
every stolen look. She DOES a little.
stares at the scenery, watches the bot
tIe-grecn CLASSY surface of the river cut
into smooth furrows by the boat. Then
she nibbles at her. luncheon aud be-
comes much annoyed by the sun, when
the handsome gentleman offers to ar-
range tie awning, and docs SO in
manner to screen her completely. Mol
lie rewards him for the courtesy by {.
bow and bright smile, displaying all
ber splendid teeth. - :,
"How much he looks like :John,"
thought she, "except in complexion
and expression, and then the features
are quite unlike, and poor Johns hair
is redv' =. ,..,..:; =
After this; acute observation she goes
to her stateroom to sleep, and is waken.
ed at last by the stiffness around her.
Not u sound to be heard but the dron-
ing Of some insect in the beat. Then
dull groan from the engine. She ties
on; her hat and hastens on deck. Is
informed BY the polite stranger that
the Spread Eagle is stuck fast in the
mud, With no prospect Of getting off
until night. y.
'But must be in Hartford before
night" declares Mollic, as if that de-
termiped little sentence would release
the boat from durance vile indeed. <>>
/ "Then you will have to follow the
example Of the other passengers, land
here and take the cars" t:=aa1..
"What place is this ?" asks Mollie,
looking at some u"promising barn-like
buildings, eavorlng neither Of pleasure
nor business, and = dirty, uneven cause
way winding round their bases. = Z !
;'*Middletown. But there is no train
before three o'clock, believe" '.e~r.
~ don't care" cried .Mollie, radiant