The mountain Democrat., 1865-09-30
What . Dark Kiss IL.

On one Of the prettiest and pleas
antest mornings in May, near the
close of that delightful month Of
balmy airs and fragrant flowers, the
train was freighted with an unusual
number Of elegant women, and gay,
nicely dressed men. AS usual, among
the latter was . large proportion Of
Uncle Sans pets with shoulder
straps. There was no longer any
apprehension Of guerrillas or other
other marauders on the road, and A.
ter getting fairly under way, the
passengers, catching the spirit Of the
lovely morning, addressed themselves
to the task of making the time pass
off pleasantly. 1t was not long ere all
Who we're SO disposed. we're enjoying
themselves in some way.
On one Of the seats in the ladies'
car was q married lady with E little
daughter; opposite, facing them,
was another child, a son, and a col.
ored "lady"-we believe they are
called ''ladies" now-with q baby
The mother Of these children was a
beautiful mAtron with sparkling eyes,
in exuberant health and vivacious
spirits. Behind her sat a young
lieutenant, dressed to kill, and seek
ing q victim. He scraped up an &C.
quaintance with the mother by at
tention to the children. 1t was not
long before he was essaying to make
himself agreeable to her, and by the
time the sun began to decline, one
would have thought they were old,
familiar friends. The lieutenant felt
that he had made an Impression
his elation manifested it. The lady,
dreaming Of no wrong. suspecting no
evil, was apparently pleased with her
casual acquaintance. By-and bye,
the train approached the tunnel at
Muldrough's Hill. The gay and fes-
tive lieutenant leaned over and whis
pered something in the ladv's ear
1t was noticed that~she appeared as
il thunderstruck. and her eyes imme-
diately famed with indignation. A
moment more and smile lighted up
her features. What changes! That
smile, it was not Of pleasure, but was
sinister She made him a reply
which, apparently, rejoiced him very
much.
For the understanding properly of
this narrative this Der. true tale
we must tell the reader what was
whispered and what was replied.
al mean to kiss you when We get
into the tunnel" whispered the lieu
tenant.
at will be dark who will see itH"
replied the lady.
Into the eartb's bowel's-into the
tunnel ran the cars. The lady and
nurse quickly changed places.
Gay lieutenant threw his arms
around the sable lady, pressed her
cheek to his, and fast and furiously
rained kisses on her lips.
In few moments the train came
out into the broad daylight-white
lady looked amazed, colored lady
bashful, blushing; gay lieutenant
befogged.
"Jane, said the white lady, "what
have you been doing?"
Nothing" responded the colored
lady.
"Yes, you have" said the lady
not in an undertone, but in a voice
that attracted the attention of all in
the car See how your collar is
rumpled, and your bonnet mashed" !"
Jane, poor colored beauty, hung
her head moment, the observed
Of oil Observers" and then, turning
around to the lieutenant, replied:
This man hugged and kissed me
in the tunnel !"
Loud and long was the laugh that
followed among the passengers.
The white lady enjoyed the joke
amazingly. The lieutenant looked
crestfallen, left the car. and was seen
no more during the trip.