The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-11-15
A Fortunate Mistake.

Coming out of the opera ore even
ing, jostled in the crowd, felt hand
clasping my own, and a musical voice
exclaimed;
"You good-for-nothing l thought
I had lost you'll What a frightful
crush do believe my arm is broken
and my dress ruined :"
was on the point of replying that
| agreed with her, but restrained my
self, laughing inwardly at the novel
position in which | was placed, and
wondering Who my fair companion
could be Evidently she mistook me
for her brother, or possibly her hus-
band, Judging from the familiarity OF
her manner, for she added, in a sym
pathizlng tone:
"Foigiye me, Ralph-your poor
head am sorry | made you come -
Pardon me, madam, said l;
but
cob, nonsense. Ralph !" she inter
rupted me "You have become half
barbarian since you went to the war,
to permit me to seat myself, while you
stand there us if | were your wife, and
you ten years married, instead Of your
sister whose ready assistant-in place
of bettor-you should be- Ralph, l
shall catch my death of cold sitting
here; and such a long ride, too !"
Here the lady gave perceptible
shiver.
DO jump in and sit down, or 7
will"-
What she would have done / did
not wait to hear; but taking my place
beside her in the carriage, we were
driven off, whittier | knew not
Il won t ask you to talk with me
with that headache. but l want you to
listen to me, began my companion,
the moment we started Il wanted
to talk to you coming in, but that lit
tie chatterbox, Maggie, prevented me
from saying word to you. You re-
member poor little Lucy Walters,
Ralph? Her mother died about two
months ago, and the poor girl has gone
to live with the Deans Mr. and Mrs.
Dean have been very kind to her, but
it is impossible for them to do more
than shelter her. How any one can
have the heart to wound Lucys feel
ings is n mystery to me, and yet every
occasion that presents itself is seized
upon by the Wares and Kings to in
suit her, even to commenting upon the
poor girls fathers actions, as if she
could have prevented that which oc-
CURED twenty years ago; and / have
seen Sarah Ware initiating her walk,
regardless of poor Luey's tears The
doctor says that now nothing can done
for her If she had a good teacher,
she might in time be independent; but
that would require money, and you
know | haven't much, Ralph; but |
have determined to do something for
our old playmate. ] can save out OF
my allowance one hundred and nifty
dollars, and now, if you will double it,
what will that do Tor Lucy? If l am
correct, it will enable her to attend the
School of Design and take private les
sons in art for year; and at the end
of that time, if Lucy is alive, she will
show the world what woman can do
/ know you will give your share to-
ward the sum, like good brother as
you are"
Here my companion became quiet
and the question presented itself to my
mind:
"How am | to escpe from this awk,
ward position honorably? Here
have been guilty of listening to com
munication intended for the ear OF an
other have been guilty of an inexcus
able deception, practiced upon
stranger and a lady knowingly. Per
haps the honest plan would be to ac
Quaint her at once with the mistake
and SOLICIT her pardon. j.,
was about to commence my well
studied speech when my companion
gave little laugh, as she said
"Roally, Ralph, you are very enter
tanning, in your own peculiar woy; bu
il YOU are as dumb when in the pres
ence of Miss Vernon as you have beer
tonight, she is to be pitied rather thai
envied. But here We are at uncle
and you know promised TO stop VIII