The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1868-12-24
Going as a Substitute.

'Just my luck roafed Ihe captain,
dashing into my room like a yonng torn
ado, and banging the door behind him
with spiteful emphasis Everybody alb
sent on leave, and the Colonel don't see
how he can dispense with my valuable
services even for day. Confound his
politeness p
0Now, then" quoth I, soothingly steady
old fellow, it isn't worth while to excite
yourself in such very warm weather. Be
CAL"
The Captain stamped his foot with des
pairing energy.
"Calm It's very well for you bachelors
to talk about being calm, but suppose
you'd just got a telegraph from your wife
that she was coming on to join you, and
suppose you couldn't get leave absence
for SO much as an hour? Poor dear Mary
She has the little ones with her, and knows
no more about travelling than kitten.
But say, Harry"
'FWell."
'tDo be obliging for once-it would be
such favor"
''What would ?"
'Why, to go on and meet Mary and the
little chicks for me-"
Kentwood Dale put his hand on my
shoulder and looked imploringly at me.
/ opened my eyes deprecatingly.
"Nonsense, Kent !"
'Do, Harry you can't imagine the re-
lief it will be to me- I'd do as much for
you-I would indeed! Just consider
what tight place it is for fellow to be
in"
During all the twenty-three years of my
life | never had acquired the useful art OF
saying no and this Captain Dale knew
full well 1t was rather an embarrassing
affair, this going to meet another mans
wife and babes; but what wasI to do !?
Kentwood begged so hard, andth case did
seem rather a particular one.
you'll go, Harry"
And answered with an inward groan
"I'll go, Kent, to oblige you"
Dales face brightened-he clasped both
my hands warmly.
depend upon it, Harry, l won't forget
your kindness very soon. I'll go and set
about the leave of absence immediately
while you get ready.-The six o'clock train
will be in time-all you've got to do is to
ask the conductor of the Philadelphia
train for lady and children who came
through from Boston. Poor Mary, she'll
be half frightened out of her senses in a
strange place by herself"
And Captain Dale hurried away, leaving
me to cogitate on the approaching pleas
ures OF night journey on the rail
road
had comfortably established myself on
a snugly cushioned seat, where the swing
ing lamp would afford sufficient light to
read the evening paper, and Kentwoed
Dale's beaming countenance was thrust III
to the window by way of goodbye.
"I'm much obliged to you, old fellow
he reiterated. You'll tell Mary just how
it happened"
"All right" responded
The whistle gave its unearthly yell
the cars trembled as if a pulse of life wa
thrilling through their iron links, and W,
began to move. I was preparing to I'm
fold my newspaper, when all of suddel
it dropped to the floor.
The prettiest creature ever saw-blu
eyed, with sunny hair, fun Of heetins
broken lights, and mouth like little rec
plum-genuineb blonde, in q trim travelling
dress, whose color-I suppose the milliner
have some other name for it-but [ shoulC
call it the tint of purple smoke wreath
l took all these particulars at one glanc
while she stood in the aisle, apparently
awaiting the motion of stout young maj
who was accommodating a little in ad
vance
"AIl full, Evey," he said, despondingly
Then perceiving the vacant spot by m
side his face Ightened.
IF this seat isn't engaged, sir, my sis
ter"
His sister What lucky thing sh
wasn't his wife. Isprang up with instar
taneous politness.
Certainly, sir-by all means"
The stout young man wiped his fore
head and retreated to the smoking car re
ieVed. Actually, the heartless wretcl
seemed delighted to get rid of his prett
companion and her travelling bags; but
then, brothers never can appreciate tn
perfections of sister!