The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-10-11

ought 10 have thanked the old gentleman Tor
his suggestion. So far, however, from mani
testing any sense Of obligation, he replied with
an insulting "Heml" and abruptly turned
upon his heel.
In effect. Albert found that there was but one
seat In the stage coach left unengaged, and
that au outside one, and he had scarcely booked
his name when two other gentlemen came up
in haste, manifesting much disappointment
on learning that there was not room for them
In the next stage. Albert was therefore con.
scious that he owed his chance TO the old
gentleman, whom he had treated 30 rudely.
Albert placed his valise on the hoor in the
public room, and lighting cigar, sat down by
his property to beguile his impstience with
smoke. lie had not been thus employed long.
when the gentleman in the velvet waistcoat
came and sat down by his right hand. Albert
looked ut him through wreathes OF smoke, and
puiied away without noticing him further.
"Will you be 80 good as to give me the time,
sirr' civilly asked the old gentleman, glancing
at Alberts snowy watch chain.
"Give you WHAT" muttered Albert, as II he
had not understood-at the same time pnttng a
volume of smoke in the good humorcd face OF
the old gentleman.
The time II you please. sir. Is 1t eleven
o'clockl"
~ don't know" replied Albert without
deigning to look Mt his watch.
The stage coach drove up shortly after. and
having discharged lis passengers and changed
horses, made ready for the return route Tor
Pekin.
Albert and another traveller occupied seat
designed to accommodate three, directly be-
hind the driver. Both were slender men, yet
they managed to spread themselves. 80 as to
give the seat the appearance OF being full.
The stage was nearly ready to depart, when the
old gentleman In the drab coat came out with
n heavy carpet bag in hand, aud looked inquir-
ing'y nt the outside passengers.
Room for another up thCreF he asked,
smiling at Albert.
"we're crowded now" responded the young
man. sharply.
"You will have to get them up. sir" OBJ
served the driver, addressing the drab coat,
"That seat ought To accommodate three
"Tben suppose must take my chance with
the rest of you," cried the old gentleman with
a Cood-humored laugh, as he climbed up the
stage. "Sorry, young gentlemen, to trouble
you to make room, =" he added, when neither
Albert or the other traveller attempted to move.
ala! tight fit, isntitI"
The old gentleman. who, rs VIC have already
intimated, was rather corpulent, appeared to
take no notice Of the young mems unaocom-
mOdatng manners, but settled slowly nnd de-
liberately upon the seat between them, compel
ling them, in order to avoid an unpleasant
pressure, to contract their dimensions, and
give him his share Of the room"
"Ths is an imposition!" cried Albert to the
driver.
"Whnt il an imposition"
"Iook tor yourself. This seat Is too short
for three men Of ordinary size, and this corpu-
lent fellow will crush us!'
"T hope mott" exclaimed the old gentleman,
At .. H. Il. sl.at II
q close at, isn't itl la! ha! too much flesh Is
inconvenient, to be sure" =,
"Nlen over twenty-six inches broad should
buy two seats" muttcred Albert.
ella! Hal" laughed the good-humorcd tray.
eler, 81 don't know but we fat fellows ought to
pay for the the extra room we occupy
"You ought to have some regard for other
travellers" said Albert, advocating q princi..
Pile. by the way, which he never considered
himself.
"That's q iact," replied the proprietor OF
the velvet waistcoat. eve have no right 10
disregard the feelings Of others. believe
mus, diet my corpulency for the benefit OF So
ciety. am sorry to discommodc you. l only
wish, for your sake. was smaller"
This last remark was followed by good-na-
turcd laugh from all the outside passengers,
except Albert, who had become most decidedly
sullen.
The stage coach now rolled heavily OF with
its load. Neither Of the outsiders spoke, each
appearing busy with his own thoughts. Al
length the old gentleman In the drab coat,
whose patience, II seemel, nothing could ex:
haust, and whose even temper nothing could
ruflle. remarked:
"This is really a fine day. sir. We're you
ever in this part Of the country beforcl"
"No," was the abrupt reply.
"Don't you think II q fine rcgion' observe
those hills, which the spring has spread with
green carpets; and how beautiful yonder for.
est looks In the sunshine! This is an excellent
soil-well watcrcd, by river which you may
see glimmering through yonder olump OF peach
trees
The only reply that Albert gave to these
observations was n piggish sort Of grunt.. =.
"You may well travel the country through,
pursued the velvet waistcoat, "and you will
not find more beautiful and fertile district
than this"
g. - grunted Albert.
"The character OF the inhabitants, too,
stands high. They are plain, common sense
class Of people, but they are distinguished for
their hospitality and genuine politeness.
"-!" grunted Albert.
ave are now in Pekin," pursued the old
gentleman. after al lpnE n;;; pause. "rhere is a
These remarks caused Albert to start, but
too proud TO betray IN interest In nythng
the old gentleman said. he maintained stud
led silence.
Thus Albert accomplished his journey. Like
too many travellers, he disdained to appear So
ciable toward strangers, little knowing how
much useful information Is sometimes gained
how much ones insight into human nature Is
improved, how much good feeling may be cu-
IL k,,, n
ness among people met In stage. coaches and
hotels.
Arriving at the tavern, Albert, little caring
what became of his excellent friend OF the vel
vet waistcoat and drsb coat, leaped of the
coach and ordered his baggage TO his new
apartments. While dressing himself with great
care, the young man forgot his III humor in
the glowing anticipstions he entertained OF
speeiy and happy meeting with Josephine.
Having partaken OF = slight repast. he engaged
u buggy to transport him to MIR. Msrvin's res
idencc.
'This is Mr.. Msrvin's," said the boy.
Albert gave the boy n shilling, and leaped
lightly to the earth, entered the grounds and
with beating heart. hastened to meet his Jo-
sephine.
As he was passing up the avenue, q circum-
stance occurred which occasioned considerable
modification.
A laboring man In slouched hat and tow
frock, who was Mt work around some pear trees
near the house, turned as the young man APP
preached, and he discovered the familiar fea-
lures Of his old friend, the corpulent gentleman n
Of the velvet waistcoat.
''Such," thought Albert, passing on without
deigning TO notice the good. d.nstured man,
such Is the impudenee of the people In the
country! Now suppose had been familiar
with him-what q fine thing IT would be
TO meet him In his true capacity! wonder II
.hall suffer from his impertiuencs in Mr.. Mar
wins house"
With these thoughts running through his
brain, Albert struck the heavy knocker, and
was shown into . neat psrlor Immediately,
where he had not long to wait for Josephine.
To describe the meeting Of the lovers would
be TO write great many things which II is we'll
enough to say. but which do not sound quite
20 we'll to be repeated. Suffice II that both Al
bert and Josephine we're very happy TO meet
again, and the former took great delight In
praising Mr. Marvin's residence. ,.