Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-10-11
srIftl GaIr.
A JoURN.EY FOR WIFE.
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tons, commenced packing capacious yalise, and
making other preparations for journey
Albert Farchid was going TO visit young la
dy, Of which il is necessary that we should say a
few words, before proceeding with our story.
Josephine Marvin resided with her parents ia a
village which we call pekin. in order not to offend
the modesty of its inhabitants by using the real
name Of the locality and out OF the village she
had never ionneyed far, except on three ooca-
sious. She had made three visits 10 relations Ia
. town, with whom she had spent months al time.
f Here Albert saw her, admired her, and ended by
loving her deyotedly. Satisfied with her beauty
and excellence. Albert offered her his hand but
she said " You must come aud see me az my
home, and become acquainted with my parents.
heione eaacting au zen lagl, lrut from mo for il
may be- you viii not Ike them, and it is possible
they may not fancy you in either case / shall
hesitate TO accept your offer
Miss Marvin had returned to pekn and now,
rs already stated, Albert was intending to visit
her family. Confident that Josephine was inclin-
cd to favor his suit and with tolerlbly good
opinion Of himself, which told him that the Mar
wins would not probably object to either bis sta
ton in life or his personal appearance, Albert set
out upon his Journey IA excellent spirits
The first forty miles Of his journey Albert ac-
comp.hed by railway in the space OF two hours.
At small town in the country he found himself
compelled to wait for coach to convey him to
the village Of Pekin.
ed, and grumGed at the necessary delay. To
while away the time, he drank a cup of coffee read
a few paragraphs in a newspaper, aud walked the
plIor loor OF the wretched inn with impatient
strides.
Are you going to Pekin2" asked a quick
voice
Albert glanced at the speaker, who was a mid
dlc-aged gentleman in a loose drab coat, a well
developed waistcott of worn aud faded velvet
and a hat that had evidently been useful Tor years.
and who presented a rough aud careless appear
ance altogether
Albert had one fault which is common with
travellers. lie had no disposition of making hun
self sociable. even civl in the company OF
/ strangers. Ii an unknosn person asked him a
question in the p0hlest manner, he WAS sure TO
answer shortly, or give no answer at all More
over, Albert's motto when travelling was Every
one for himselln aud this he male an invaria5le
rule OF action. A proposal to put himself out OF
the way to Accommodate a stranger, he would
have rlculed as the height Of absuriity.
Knowing the disposition OF our hero, the reader
viii not be surprised when told that Albert, in
stead Of giving a simple Alternative answer. or an
affirmative nod, regarded the rough-ooking miu
a moment, in silent disdain, and passed on with
I out word.
But the gentleman with the drab coat aud fadeC
velvet waistcoAt in spite of his rough appearance
evidently possessed paiient and good natured
disposition which was not easily disturbed, With
out appearing to notice Albert's inactivity, he
quietly remarked, as he came ia his way again -
You are going to Pekin, shouli judgey
"What if AN p growled Albert.
"Oh, nothing answered the OH gentleman,
with a good natured smile" only Id advise you
to book your name for seat in the stage at once,
if YOU have not done so tor have no doubt that
there will be half dozen more passengers than
the coach can acc0mm ldlte
Albert had not booked his name. aud he ought
l. tl.. H. H.. g..
gestion. So far, however, from mantle sting any
sense Of obligation, he replied with an insulting
" fI-m,' and abruptly turned upon his heel.
In effect Albert found hat there was but one
seat in the stare coach left uuengaged. and thai
an outside one, aud he had scarcely booked hi:
name when two other gentlemen came up IN haste
manifesting much disappointment on learning tha
there was not room for them in the next stage
Albert was therefore conscious that he owed hi,
chance to the old gentleman, whom he had treate,
50 ru1cly
Albert placed his valise on the floor in the pub
lic room, and lighting A cigar, sat down by hl'
property to beguie his impotence with smoke
lie had not been thus employed long, when Tia,
gentleman IN the velvet wastcoat came and sa
down by his right hand. Albert looked at hiu
through wreaths Of snlke, aud pulled away with
out noticing him further.
"Wh you be SO kind as to give me the time
sirY cyiy asked the old gentleman, glancing a
Alberts showy fob chain.
" Give YOU what p muttored Albert, as if h
had not understool-at the same time putting
volume of smoke in the good-humored face of tn
old gentleman
THE time, if you please, sir. Is it eleven o
cock;n
- don't know" replied Albert without degn
ing to look at his watch.
The stage coach drove up shortly after, an
having discharged its passengers and change
horses. made ready for the return route to Pekin.
Albert aud another traveller occupied seat de
signed to accommDdat three directly behind th
driver Both were slender men, yet they manag
ed to spread themselves so as to give the seat ia
appearance Of being full The stage was nearl
ready to depart, when the old gentleman in th
drab coat came out of the tavern with hcav
carpet bag in his hand, and looked mquiringly a
the outside passengers.
Room for another up there ?" he asked, smil
ing at Albert
We're crowded now" responded the youn
man sharply
You viii have to get them up. sir, observe
the driver, addressing the drab coat.
That seat ought to accommodate three ~
"Then I suppose must take my chance wit
the rest of you" cried the old gentleman with
good-huinored laugh, as he climbed up the stage
- Sorry, young gentlemen. to trouble you to nal,
room, be added, when neither Albert nor the otl
er traveller attempted to move, Hal tight fit
isn't it =
The old gentleman who, as we have alread
intmated was rather corpulent. appeared to tax
no notice OF the young mems unaccommodatin
manners, but settled slowly aud deliberately upo
the seat between them, compelling them, in orde
to avoid an unpleasant pressure TO contract thei
dimensions, and give him his share Of the room
This is an imposition!" !" cried Albert to th
driver.
"What is an imposition ?"
Look for yourself. This seat is too short 70
three men Of ordinary size, aud this corpulent fe
low will crush us -
- hope not,n exclaimed the old gentleman
II shouldn't like to do that. declare But il
a close ft, isn't it2 Ha! la too much flesh is ii
convenient, to be sure"
- Men over twenty.six inches broad should bu
two seats sn mutterei Albert.
"Hal ha!n laughed the good-humored traveller
:" don't know but we fat fellows ought to pay 70
the extra room we occupy
You ought TO have some regard for othe
Travellers said Albert advocating principle, b
the way, which he never considered himself
" That is fact replied the proprietor Of ID
velvet waistcoat. " We have no right to disr,
gard the feelings Of others | believe must d
ct my corpulency for the benefit Of society al
sorry to discommode you. only wish for yot
sake, | was smaller
This last remark was followed by good-natul
ed laugh from all the outside passengers, exceI
A Inert Nho had bpcomo most dpridadiv sullpu -