The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-05-09

ing the one which was to witness my
departure from C.. On the even
ing of that day, however, a letter ar
rived, and an eager glance at the su-
prescription was sufficient to produce
an instant feeling of relief. It was
from my friend. My relief was short
lived. The letter had been written
before the receipt of mine. Not a
word was said of the appointed day,
or about sending for me; but more
entreating me to come at once. Her
entreaties were irresistible, and / de-
termined, without further hesitation,
to leave G. at the appointed time
on the following morning-braving
all consequences. What the conse-
quences were will appear in the Sc
quel.
Mrs. R was much averse to the
whole plan. Like great many peo-
pie, she had acquired the habit of in
dulging in structures, and did not fail
to improve the present favorable oc-
casion. "She did not, she said, SIN
the first place, approve of young
girls running over the country with
out their fathers or brothers, and in
the next, even if 1 had M escort
which I didn't was, in her OPT
Mon, All unwise undertaking to pro-
ceed to A., where was perfect
stranger, without knowing to GER
tainty that my friend would be there
in readiness to receive me. And you
a timid, inexperienced creature! Why,
the whole thing is absurd! Take an
old lady's advice, child, and stay
where you are. y"
Truly, it was not long before 1
heartily wished that / hal. l would
gladly have withdrawn from the bar
gain altogether, but the probability
Of my friend sending her carriage
such a long distance, and being dis
appointed at my non-arrival, rem
dered it now, I considered, too late
to retract Of course my letter would
reach her before the time for me to
set out. Why need I disturb my
mind in contemplating contingency
which might never arise? Thus 1
argued within myself, and the rea-
soning rendered to re-assure me. I
have never, like some people, adopt
ed the practice of going halfway to
welcome trouble. My own expe-
rience convinces me that it is never
right Or exPedient to do so. Always
give it wide berth whenever it is
possible-to catch you, it is sure to
do, anyhow, some day; and why not
let the evil be avoided until you can
not help yourself? What with ina
ginary trials in the prospective and
real ones in the present, there is very
little peace to be extracted from the
things of this earth.
All arrangements were completed
for my departure. had already
taken my farewell-look at the noun
tains, looming up so grandly in the
distance; and after last chat with
old -friends-a chat carried far into
the night-went to my room for
few hours repose. It was, indeed,
but short rest was able to snatch,
for, like all railroads, the one of
which 1 write was apparently con-
Quoted on the plan of starting at
the most inconceivably inconvenient
desirous of making
things as universally disagreeable for
unfortunate travellers as possible.
Long before the fan, Aurora had
given the slightest indications of her
I found myself torn
ruthlessly from most refreshing
slumber, and in halfway state, be-
tween waking and sleeping, seated
beside Mr.. W in the carriage.
There was general confusion of
ideas in my head about cold biscuits,
hot coffee, and a scalded throat-and
this was oil, for at least mile; by
which time the motion of the car
riage, and its rolling sound along the
frosty road, began to make some dis
tlnct impression on my benumbed
senses
1t was 4 cool morning, remember,
and [ was beginning to commiserate
the condition of the driver outside,
when we drew up at the depot. 1t
was dimly lighted with lanterns here
and there, and people were stirring
about considerably. buying tickets
and checking baggage. A comfort
able seat being secured, and my tick
ct lodged safely in my pocket book, I
Immediately set to work wishing To-
comotion would begin. Ibelieve this
is the orthodox programme with ira
velers. In this instance one in
thousand-my patience did not suffer.
We were soon rushing along at Il
swift rate through the morning air.
M