The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-07-31
MisfflIanfons.
RAILROAD FILTRATION.

hhlLhOAU fllhIhIlUN,
"KAToNAH!" shouted the brakes
man, opening the car door as the train
paused be fore pleasant little station
on the Harlem Railroad.
i do not know as | should have par
ticularly noticed that we stopped at all,
for had been mapping it for some
miles : but just as l was casting an en-
quiring, sleepy look out of the window,
and settling myself foranother siesta my
attention was attracted by the entrance
of a young lady, way passenger, who
perceiving the car well filed, paused
before me in evident embarrassment.
scarcely wish the reader to infer
from this that there were no vacant seats;
on the contrary, the chair | occupied,
was selfishly monopoized by my shawl
and valise which had excluded many
an applicant, and so the moment l OBJ
served the car door open, l mentally re-
solved not to bulge an inch; but q
glance at the new conner changed my
mind.
She was young lady of exceeding
beauty, dressed in the rich and tasty
style of the present fashion. Whether
it was her gentle aspect, or the soft mel
ancholy of her dark impressive eyes, l
cannot say, but when she ventured al
most timidly, to enquire if the half seat
at my side twas engaged" gallantly
arose and proffered 1t to her at once. /
must acknowledge felt somewhat fat
tered by her preference, for though a
young man and tolerably good-looking,
l had the sense to perceive there were
far better men around, who like
me, might have shared their chair with
the handsome lady stranger. l fancied
they envied me too, as the fair girl sat
plump down, and her dainty form
nestled close to my side.
81 fear | have disturbed YOU" said
my companion, in low sweet voice,
that thrilled me with its soft cadence.
mot at all, Miss" l rejoined with
stereotyped politeness. 81 am too happy
to oblige YOU"
She bowed and smiled in reply, and a
short pause ensued. as is usual upon
such sudden acquaintanceship In the
meanwhile, the train had started, and
we ratified swiftly through the fields
and woods, now decked in the lively
tints of Spring. The conductor came in
and went through his customary routine
of examining the tickets. | perceived
hers was marked for New York, and af:
ter some hesitation, / said:
"You 60 to the city ?"
"Yes," she replied with smile of
winning candor; "that, presume, you
have already found out"
81 shall keep you company them"
l observed pleasantly.
"Thank you, sir"
There was slight dignity, thought
in her tone, which rcpeIled further
familiarity, so, rs | am very mod.
est man, drew back and said nothing
further On rushed the steam horse up
on its iron pathway. One more station
had been passed and was fast relapsinl
into my former apathy, when my lady
i'i'ho1 w my i'thNu toNultt
me and whispered.
81 am SO very timid on the cars"
"Indeed," said quite charmed with
her abruptness. "You surely are well
accustomed to travelling ~
Perfectly" she replied with som,
nonchalance, "but that is not it exactly
There are so many dreadful accidents
on the railroad"
"Dreadful indeedv' echoed /.
"And," added my companion will
nairete, at is so unpleasant to trave
unattended. usually have my broth
er Charlie with me; he is a splendid es
cort."
If you will allow me-" said |, quit
gallantly,"l will gladly occupy that po
Il sition.n
81 am much obliged to You SIR" re
/; piled the young lady, with greatfu
i glance from her dark orbs, "yet | an
half-frightened to think am accepting
the escort of a stranger, not that fea
you sir but, alas have jealous Il,
n ther.n
I "A jealous fatherW l repeated, some
d what puzzled and surprised.
! "Ah, yes" sighed the young lady
!; at is my misfortune, while havin
n wealth, health, and almost everythin
g that the heart can wish, to be under Tn
tyrannical control of an old step p-fathel
- who treats me oftentimes in the mos
!. cruel manner debars me from the 5,
ciety of your sex, shuts me up in tn
gloomy confines of my chamber, an
treats me with pitiless rigor, if do :
much as to speak or look to a man."
"What IA monster ~ calculated wit
face of melodramatic sympathy.
le "That is the reason" she continue,
st looking around her half fearfully as 81
spoke, "That is the reason why am
~ di fiident about entrusting myself
= your care, but ] do II ON one cond
u tion."
{; "Name It," rejoined, charmed al
delighted with the strange confden