The mountain Democrat., 1865-04-15
Aunt TabItAa's Railway Adventure.

liCudu. l0eTe are cases WDere women
who ought to have been married twent,
years ago, disguised with the backward
ness OF the other sex, strive, as it were
to become their own husbands. Here wa
one Of them. Aunt Tabs voice deepeneC
and grew harsher; her manners becam,
abrupt, and her movements jerking, unit
ill'natured people Sneeringly said she wa
masculine. A fable was maliciously pu
into circulation that blind becgar, il
acknowledging aims, had once addressed
my relative as Sir l always looked OF
those characteristics as simply a natura
resemblance on aunt's part to the highes
models of her admiration; and pointed t
the appearance of strong dark dowr
upon the upper lip as striking proof of tn,
power of Imagination. But il Aunt Tat
secretly admired mankind, she also sus
pected them, and seemed ever to be il
fear of its being discovered that she wa.
not really married couple in ore, anG
that some suddenly fascinated wooel
might become too rough in his attentions
10 what lengths this feeling was carried
| only accidentally learned.
'Supposing | saw him gradually steal
ing upon me from the other end, | could
get the bludgeon ready and meet him al
the distance resolutely said the unmis
| taxable Tabithan tones
But if he should happen to spring up.
on you from the opposite seat, what should
you do then ? asked voice recognized
as that Of my aunt's companion, Mrs. Lee.
son, widow Of some thirty years stand
ing and who, therefore, though in lesser
degree, had her own complaint against
NY Sex.
in that case should present the dag.
ger in such way that he would rush
upon it. So!' added my aunt with a very
theatrical accent; 4 shall always keep the
point turned a little outwards under my
cloak
Couldn't you shoot him quicker?' mild.
ly inquired Mrs. Leeson.
NO! find it takes time to aim the
pistol and pull the trigger, was the calm
reply.
Biudgeons, daggers and pistols ! what,
IN the name Of goodness, did this mean ?
Who WAS the alluded to as uE,' with
whom means like these were necessary !:
| had put my hand on the handle of my
aunt's sitting-room door to enter; but the
first words Of this mysterious conversa-
ton rooted me to the spot.
Now, then, resumed my aunt's im-
presSive voice from within, 'wc'll practice
opening the doors and getting on the foot
board, supposing should be so taken by
surprise IS not to have time to use any oi
the weapons. Are you ready ?-stop a
minute; this cushion represents the divi-
ding arm Of the two seats and. in the
pause could hear some ruSt,ing arrange
ments being made. Now, then, you must
throw yourself suddenly over upon me.
Don't mind being little rough; | dare say
that the brute won't. Now
Immediately the sounds Of a violent
struggle ensued; and, opening the door Il
little under cover Of the noise, ! was hor-
rilicd to see Aunt Tab and Mrs. Lesson
closely embraced in one corner Of the
couch, wrestling together as if for dear
life. At last my relative got an arm loose,
and aking a violent effort, in which un,
crinolincd morning robes were toosed
wildly. and ankles revealed in a very un.
digntied way, she flung herself loose from
her assailant, and triumphantly leaning
over the back Of chair, apparently pac.
cl to represent the door spoken of she
whirlcd herself round il, alightng on the
fender, with disheyelcd hair and flushed
checks.
20, you'll do it! No man could hold
faster than did " gssped Mrs Leeson, in
state Of utter exhaustion, bringing the
locks, winch should adorn her forehead,
round from somewhere behind. Dear
me. the dagger must have stuck out from
your belt; it has torn my dress sadly )
and she put her hand out Of sight into a
large hole at the side.
Then shall shout Guard. Guard =
excitediy uttered my aunt; and shall
struggle on TO the next carriage window,
going along upon her knees as she spoke,
where they'll support me till the train
stops, as il did in the case Of the noble
young lay. Or, she went OH, hanging
upon the couch arm, if it shouldn't, and
any accident should happen,l shall perish
in my own defence Saying this, Aunt
Sab tossed up her arms, and fell length
ways upon the hearth-rug.
'The newspapers would be full Of it =
admiringly sighed that old noodle Mrs.
Leeson, who had pin between her teeth,
and was silly gathering up her torn dress.
/ saw it all! My aunt, know, had
received an invitation to 60 on Il visit in,
to Lincolnshire, and she had craZed her
self over the newspaper accounts of the
dangers 10 which ladies we're exposed on
the railway, until, Under the foolish en-
couragement Of her companion, she was
having recourse to these ridiculous
schemes of preservation; and the two were
then engaged in the very act of rehearSlng
railway att cks and defenses! My aunt
was now gathering herself up from the
rug, and gently reclosed the door.
had not lodged in the same house with
my relatives very long; but knew her
we'll enough to understand that any open
interference on my part would only make
matters worse But what was to be done:
The very next day she was to start for
Lincolnshire and felt convinced that il
she intended travelling with those notions
in her head, and weapons Of those de-
scriptions in her hands, something not
included in the rehearsals would be GER.
tain to result. As i'll luck, too, would
have it, Cousin Ned, who, like myself, on
being sent up to town, had been placed
upon Aunt Tabs care. went off into Wales
holidaying nearly week ago. | had no
body to consult with, and, of course,
could not disclose this preposterous con-
duct of my respected relative to stran'
ger.
At dinner that day my aunt appeared
with large red bruise on her forehead
over the right eyebrow; and in the course
Of talk, she asked me. in an accidental
way, how persons managed to use flexible
life-preservers without hitting themselves
| of thai oc,oslookc Tho rod RI