The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1866-10-02

ulCt UEkkcN Tue ulu btlldtl4Au EtA4D
sense oihumor. II he could have found
some legitimate excuse for making II
mp with his sister-in-law, within the
first year or two of their falling ont,
perhaps ho would have been glad 10 do
So; bat time had now SO widened the
breach that II Was not TO be easily re-
paired What lie had satIically written
PMhen ho declined her invitation had
grown TO be true, lac rarely went into
society, and almost never into the com
pany Of ladies, the elder portion Of whom
lie considered frivolous and yoxatious
and the younger positively dangerous
He had few old bachelor friends, how
ever, with whom he kept up a cordial
intercourse, and spent with them vari-
Gus festivals Of the year as regularly a-
they came round.
On tho 31st Of Deceinls,s-, for instance,
he never omitted to 90 down to Read
ing, and "soe the old year out and the
new year in, in the company of Tom
Whailles, with whom he had worn the
yellow stockings in those school days
that had passed away more than half a
century ago. Tom and Isaac had been
even greater cronies as boys than Tom
and 1ngot, but the latter did not like
Tom the less on that account; secretly,
/ think, lie esteemed him the more
highly rs link between himself and
that lucllosa family whose very exist
ence he yet chose to ignore. Mr.. What
hos had intimate relations with them
still, they came down to Stay with him
Whenever his sister paid Linn it,and
could act MS their hostess; but this ney-
er happened in the last week of the
year. Tom was never TO speak OF them
to his old friend thai was not only
tacitly understood, but had even been
laid down in writing, as the basis OF
| their intimacy.
On the 31st Of December last, Mr..
Ipgot Beardmore found himself, MS us-
ual, at the Paddington Station, looking
for aD empty compartment, for his own
company had got to be very pleasing to
him. Having attained his object, aud
rolled himself up in the corner of the
carriage i'll several greatcoats with his
feet upon hot tin, and his hands
clothed i'll thick mittens, and looking
altogether like a polar bear who liked
to make himself comfortable e-whcn ey-
erything was arranged, say, to the old
gentleman's complete satisfaction, who
should invade his privacy just as the
train was about to start, and the whis-
tie had sounded, but one Of the most
bewitching young ladies you ever sci
your eyes on
Madam, this carriage is engaged,
growled he, pointing to the umbrella,
carpet-bag and books, which he had
distributed upon all the seats; in olsler
to give it that appearance.
Only engaged to you, / think, sir,
replied the charmer, fippntly. Hap
| by carriage / wish | was Isn't that
protty?'
Mr. Beardmore had never had any
thing half SO shocking said to him iii all
his life, and if tho train had not been
already set in motion, le would have
called upon the guard for help, and left
the carriage forthwith AS it was, he
could only look at this shameless young
person with an expression Of the Sc
yerest reprobation. AT the same time,
his heart sank within him at the refec-
ton, that the train was not to stop till
he reached his destination Reading -
What indignities might he not have to
suffer before he could obtain protection
She was modost-lool,ing young lady,
too, very simply dressed, and her voice
was particularly sweet and progresses
ing, notwithstanding the very dreadful
romarks in which she had mdulgod-
Perhaps she was out of her mind-and
at tins idea Mr.. Ingot Beardmore
broke out, notwithstanding the low
temperature, into very profuse per-
spiration.
"Now, what will you give me for a
kiss, You old--you old polar bear p
asked the fair stranger, playfully,a as the
train flew by Eating.
Nothing, madam, nothing; 7 am
astonishcd at you" answered BIr. Beard
more, looking anxiously round the car
riage in the desperate hope of finding
one Of those newly patented inventions
for affording communication with the
guard
"NNell, then, I'll take one, and leave
| il To v0nf honor" continued the Young
| lady, with peal Of silver laughter; and
with that she lightly rose, and before
tho old gentleman could free himself
from bis wraps, or ward her off with bis
mufetees, she had imprinted O kiss up
on bis horny check. Bir. Beardmores
breath was 50 utterly taken away by
this assault, that he remained speech
less, but his countenanco was probably
more fun OF expression than it had ever
been il his life ooh, no, am not
mad, laughed she in reply to it; sal
though ! have taken a fancy to such
wonderful old creature. Now, come,
il kiss you again, what VIII you give
me 2"
Il shall give you in charge Of the po-
ice, madam, the instant Thai arrive at
Reading"
Give me in charge What for, you
curious piece Of antiquity
aFor All assault, madam; yes, for an
assault Don't you know that you have
no right to kiss people without their
consent IN this manner" 2"