The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-12-14
quotation ,ha. was musicslly murmurins
and started up ss if ! had been shot.
..rs-.

\ "Allow me-" quoth !, burdenins myself
with Miss Evey's multitudinous bags, "l
will jua take you to the waiting room
where your brother win doubtless join
YOU" -tt
Didn't feel proud, just then, with the
soh little hand upon my arm, and the sligh,
form clinging up close to mo. ! should
think so! ..a
I left her, unwillingly enough, In the
doorway OF the cheerfilly lighted Ladies
ROOM" and sought tho officials.
"Is the New York train in1"
ayes sir; jus, this minute arrived"
Where's tho conduc,or1',
"Well, il you'll wait minute. he will
be along"
stood back few seconds, watching the
tircd.Iooking travellers pour from the cars,
in sleepy confusion.
At length ] caught sight Of the conduc'
tor, carrying a crumpled baby In ono hand,
and huge calico.covered bandbox in the
other, while behind him came ponderous
female with frcckled countensnce, and
bonnet crushed out Of al semblance to
shape.
Hush up, Charles Aug,istus!' cried
the woman to wailing child three year,
old, whose face was scarcely discemable
through tears and molasses candy. III
you don't quit that hollerin', I'll skin ye
Mary Jane. come along, or I'll leave you
in the cars, surc's I'm alive"
"Conductorw I ventured, boldly stem.
ming this swarm OF diry children.
"SirT'
~ came to meet lady and children who
travelled along from Boston on this train to
-
aThe very one you want, sir I" said the
conductor, sliding the limp baby into my
arms and dropping the bandbox with alac-
rity. "ilerc's the gentleman, ma'am. ]
told you there wouldn't be any trouble
about meeting him."
And before could open my lips to re.
monstratc, the pondcrous woman had pre-.
cipitatcd herself on me bodily, and was
hugging my neck, with succession Of
kisses TINT sounded like the report Of a
pocket pistol.
81 knowed you'd come to meet me, Hi.
ranI,-l knowcd you'd never desert your
own Mclviny, to say nothing Of the chill
dren. Come here Mary Jane and Charles
Ag,istus, and kiss your own father! dc.
clare, if them new regimentals don't make
you look as fine rs a fiddle dare say for
Il, ! should not have knowed ye, now you We
got your hair aud whiskers colorcd! You
always was such a slim, genteel figure
Hut you'd ought to have sent me that boun.
ty money, Hirum-l II stick TO that, IT 1t
was the last word ever spoke"
Hooked around despairingly for some
one to free me from this terrible bondage.
Alns, unkind fate, there was my blue eyed
companion du uoyage convulsed with pretty
malicious laughter at the plight was In.
~ never imagined that you were mar
ried man, SIR" said she, demurely
Upon my word, it Is quite a privilege to
witness this sweet little episode Of domestic
affection. Take care-you'll drop the baby
| if you hold !, in that sort Of way"
I &c, my teeth close together and strovc
to wrench myself awuy from the cotton
gIovcd fingers Of The woman who seemed
50 determined to appropriate me.
.I.ct go ofIny cravnt, madam ?" isai'l.
sharply. for she wns clinging to me as the
verit.ble Old Man Of the Sea might have
clung to Sinbad. =" I am entirely at loss
to imagine what you mean by this singular
conduct. My name Is not Hiram-l am
no, ,narried-and never set eyes on you be.
fore tonight. Let 60, lsay, and take your
baly."
The woman rccoiled step or two, and
gazed full in my face for the fist time, with
a cry like baffled tigrcss.
aLand o Goshen!" she shreked, cit
isn't Hiram, after all-and the good.for.
nothing, shiflless, mean-spirited cur aint
here to look after his own wife and chill
dren. ! do say fo't,' she arieulated, fierce
ly clinching her muscular fist, :" knowed
Himln Peck was meanern muscle shell,
bu, I didn't s'pose he was mean enough to
leave me IN the lurch this way"
She snatched The baby, broke away from
me, and rushed impetuously toward the
conductor, whose distant lantern glanced
among the platform beyond.
Conductor! lay, conductor we've
woke the wrong passenger That ere Eel.
lar nint Hiram Peck no morn you be, and
whn, on airtl, I've ! goin to dot"
All this time my blue eyed divinity had
been smiling at my dilemma in the most
hairless manner; and was gla,I tn make
n diversion by pouncing upon the conduct.
or and blowing him up for his absurd mis-
take. Tie spologizcd, with satiricsl grin
on his face.
sAnd now, SIR" he added. suddenly re.
suming the brisk business like manner Of
every day life, = ! think tho right lady 10 10
the waiting room -shc came on to meet
Captain Dale"
"Tha,'s the name," ! answered prompt.
y.
A slender. lady.like thing was anxious
ly waiting in the ladies' department, with
A stout Irish nurre and two delicsto chill
drcn OF two and three yoan Of age. She
sp1ns forward with bright ssitaied fses,
a she caught q glimpse Of my undres
uniform and gilt Bottoms.