The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-09-16
A Railroad Filtration.

"Katoah," shouted the brakeman opening
the car-door as the train passed before a
| pleasant little station on the Harlem railroad
/ do not know as l should have particular
ly noticed that we stopped at all, for l had
been mapping it for some miles; but just as
was casting an inquiring, sleepy look out
Of the window, and settling myself for an.
other siesta, my attention was attracted by
the entrance Of young lady, way.passcn.
ger, who, perceiving the car we'll filled, paus-
ed before me in evident embarrassment.
l scarcely wish the reader to infer from this
that there were no vacant seats on the con.
trary, the chair occupied was sel6shly mo-
nopolized by my shawl and valisc, which had
excluded many an applicant, and so the mo-
ment observed the car-door open mentally
resolved not to bulge an inch but one glance
at tke newcomer changed my mind.
She was young lady of exceeding beauty
dressed in the rich and tasty style of the
present fashion. Whet han was her gentccl
aspect or the soft melaq " Of her dark i'm
pressive eyes / cannot sa but when she ven
tured. almost timidy, to Raire if the half
seat at my side 'swas engaged" l CALAMITY
arose and proffred it to kfAat once must
acknowledge felt somewRet fattercd by her
preference, for though young man, and toll
erably good looking, I had the sense to per-
ceiye there were far 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. ~
II fear / have disturbed you," said my
companion In low, sweet voice that thrill
ed me with its soft cadence.
"Not lat ALL Miss" l rejoined with ster-
eotyped politeness II am too happy to oblige
yeu."
She bowed and smiled in reply, and short
pause ensued, as is usual upon such sudden
acquaintanceship. In the mean time 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. I perceived
hers was marked for New York, and after
some hesitation l said:
You 60 to the city :"
EYES," she replied with smile Of win
Mug candor; that, l presume, you have
already found out"
Il shall keep you company, them" Oh.
served pleasantly.
'Thank you, sir"
There was slight dignity, I thought, in
her tone, which repealed further familiarity
SO, as am 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 l was fast
relapsing into my former apathy, when my
lady friend, to my surprise, leaned towards
me and whispered,
II am very timid on the cars"
"Indeed, I" said l, quite charmed with her
abruptness. "You surely are we'll accustom.
ed to travelling p -a
Perfectly" she replied, with some non
chalance; but that is not it exactly. There
are so many dreadful accidents on the rail
road" ' y
dreadful, indeed!'' echoed I.
"And," added my companion with naivete
"it IS unpleasant to travel unattended
usually have my brother Charlie with me-
He is splendid escort" T.. e.
'If you will allow me" said I, quite gal
lantly, Il will gladly occupy that position.
II am much obliged to you, sir" replied
the young lady, with a grateful glance from
her dark orbs, "yet | am half frightened t.
think | am accepting the escort Of stran
ger not that fear you, sir bus, alas! ]
have.a jealous father" 's
"a jealous father !" I repeated, somewha
puzzled and surprised. VIZ 5lss7e
"Ah, yes" sighed the young lady. at i
my misfortune, while having wealth, health
and almost every thing that the heart ca,
wish, to be under the control Of a tyranni
cal old step.fathcr, who treats me oftentime
in the most cruel manner; dcbars me fron
the society of your sex, shuts me up in th
| gloom Of my chamber, and treats me. witt
pitiless rigor, if do SO much as speak to o
look at man."
"What monster p T CALCULATED with
face of melo-dramatic sympathy. 9
"That is the reason" she continued, leok
ing around her half fearfully as she spoke
Ethat is the reason why I am so diMden
about entrusting myself TO your care, but
do it on one condition.