The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-09-11
A RAILROAD FILTRATION.

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"A RAILROAD FILTRATION.
"Katonah, !" shouted the brakeman,
opening the car door rs the train
passed before a pleasant little station
on the Harlem Railroad.
I do not know as L should have
particularly noticed that we stopped
at ali, for / had been mapping It for
some miles; but just as I was casting
an ,inquiring, sleepy look out of the
window, and settling myself for an
other siesta, my attentionw was attract
ed by the entrance of young lady,
way passenger, who, perceiving the
car we'll filed, paused before me in
evident embarrassment.
I scarcely wish the reader to infer
from this that there were no vacant
seats; on the contrary, the chair L
occupied was selfshly monopolized
by my shawl and valise, which had
excluded many an applicant, and
so the moment I observed the car
open, I mentally resolved not to
bulge an inch; but oneiglace at the
newcomer changed my mind. F
She was q young lady of exceeding
beauty, dressed in the rich and tasty
style of the present fashion. Whe-
ther sit was her genteel aspect
or the melancholy Of her dark i'm
pressiye, eyes, I cannot say, but
when che. .ventured, almost timidly,
to inquire If the half-seat at my side
''was engaged, IT gallantly arose and
profered it tc' her at once. L must
acknowledge I felt somewhat hatter-
ed by her preference, for though q
young man, and tolerably good-look-
ing, I had the sense to perceive there
We're tar better-looking men around,
who, like me, might have shared
their chair with the handsome lady
stranger. ! fancied they envied me,
too, as the fair girl sat plump down,
and her dainty form nestled close to
my side.
'I fear aave disturbed you," said
my companion, in allow, sweet voice,
that thrilled me with its soft cadence.
''Not at all, Miss" I reioined with
stereotyped politeness. 'I am happy
to oblige you" .st
She bowed and smiled in reply,
.anda short pause ensued, as is usual
upon such sudden acquaintanceship
In the, meantime, the train had
started, and we ratified swiftly
through the fields and. woods, now
decked in the lively tint Of spring.
The conductor came in, and went
through his customary routine of
examining the tickets. T. perceived
hers was marked for New York, and,
after some hesitation, / said:
"You' go to the city,"
eyes" she replied with smile of
winning, candor; "that, I presume,
you have already found out.''
II shall keep you company, then,''
I observed pleasantly"
''Thank you, SIR" g.t .asa 4.
There was slight dignity,
thought, in her tone, which repelled
further familiarity; so, as am q very
modest man, drew back and said
nothing further. On rushed the
steam horse upon its iron pathway.
One more station had been passed,
and I was fast relapsing into my
former apathy, when my lady friend,
to my surprise, leaned toward me
and whispered:
81 am very timid on the cars"
Indeed" said I, quite charmed
with her abruptness. "You surely
are well accustomed to traveling?"
Perfectly" she replied, with some
nonchalance; 'but that is not it ex-
actly. There are 80 many dreadful
accidents on the railroad"
Dreadful, indeedl" echoed I.
"And," added my companion with
naivete, 'It is unpleasant to travel
unattended. I usually travel witb
my brother Charlie with me. He i
q splendid escort"
eff you will allow me-" said I,
quite gallantly, II will gladly occupy
that position" -
'T am much obliged to you, air, p
Sa fe asnee saG en oSl Sar d dSrk wsb orba ssts
I am half frightened to think I an