The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-10-01
SrlrttrO gli9rrlIomD.
A JEALOUS FATHER.
Mnllroad AdYentnre.

AlTIN nOIltDl AlAl w nANIlIAhh W NAAf w Aa
been mapping IL for some miles; hut just az
1 was casting an inquiring, sleepy look out
OF the window. and settling myself for an
other siesta. my attention was attracted 10y.
the entrance OF n young lady, IA ~woy-passen-
ger, who, perceiving the car was well NIL
ca. paused before me in evident embarrass-
ment.
[ scarcely wish the reader to infer from
this that there was no yucant seats: on the
contrary. the chair l occupied was selhshly
monnpolized hymy shawl and valise which
had excluded many an occupant, andGothe
moment L observed the car door open l
mentally resolved not to bulge an inch but
one glance at the newcomer changed my
mind.
She was o young lady OF exceeding beauty,
dressedin the rich and tasty style OF the
present fashion. Whether It was her genteel
aspect or the soft melancholy OF her dark
impressive eyes l cannot say, but when sue
yentured. almost timidly, to inquire II the
hnlf-seat at my side twas engaged. l gal
lantly arose and protiered 1t to her ct once
Unjust acknowledge l felt somewhat battered
by her preference, for though young lhn'
and tolerably good looking, had sshse
10 psrceiye there were far better looking
men around. who, like me, might have
shared their chair with the handsome lady
stranger / mncied thcy euyied me too, as
the fair Girl sat plump down. and her dam
Is form nestled close to my side.
Il fear l have disturbed you, said my
.compauion, in a low, sweet voice thatthrll-
ell me with It's soft cadence.
"Not at all. Miss, Do | rcioined with stereo-
tvpedpohteness. Il am too happy toobhge
YOU.
She bowed and smiled in reply, and u
short pause ensued, rs Is usual upon such
sudden acquaintanceship luthe meantime
the train has started, and we ratified swiftly
through the fields and woods, now decked
i'm the lively tint offspring The conductor
came M. and went through his customary
routine Of examining the tickets. lperciev-
ed hers was marked for New York, ana after
some hesitation / said:
you go 10 the city,
YES, she replied with n smile OF winning
candor; that l presume you have already
found out
Il shall keep you company, then OBJ
served pleasantly.
Thank you, sir
There was "a slight dignity, | thought, III
her tone which repealed further familiarity
80, us | am q very modest man, drew Dhck
and said nothing further. On rushed the
steam horse upon it's iron hallway. one
more station has been passed, and l was
fast relapsing into my former apathy when
my lady friend 10 my surprise, leaned To-
ward me and whispered.
Il am very timid on the cars.
Indeed, said / quite charmed with her
a~bruptness. you surely are well accus-
toned 90 travelling p
Perfectly" she replied with some nom
chalence; but thatisnot il exactly. There
are 30 many dreadful accidents on Pie rail
road"
Dreadful indeed g echoed /.
And, added my companion with naiy-
etc, at is unpleasant TO travel unattended
l usually have my brother Charlie with me.
He is II splendid escort"
"If YOU will allow me, said / quite gal
lantly, II will gladly occupy that position.
II am much obliged TO you, sir, replied
the young lady, with Il grateful glance nom
her dark orbs, ''yet / am half frightened TO
think / am accepting the escort OF a strang-
er; not that / fear you, sir but alas ! lhaye
II jealous father"
"a Jealous father r. repeated, somewhat
puzzled and surprised
"Ah yes" sighed the young lady 1t ~
my mistortunes while having wealth, health
and almost everything that the heart can
wish, to be under the control ola tylannical
old step-father, who treats me oftimes in
the most cruel manner, debars me from the
society OF our sex, shuts me upm the gloom
Of my chamber, and treats me with piuless
rigor if / do rs much as 10 speak TO or look
vt a man"
''What a monster r. 1 calculated with Il
face Of melo-dramatic sympathy.
THAT is the reason" she continued, look
ing around her half fearfully as she spoke.
that is the reason why / am 80 diiiident
about entrusting myself to your care, but J
did it on n condition
"Name it." / rejoined, charmed and de
lighted with the strange confidence The
young lady was reposing in me.
''rhat you leave me the instant the carr
reach New York.
l was so bewitched by the beauty anC
charming iRSOucioRce ofmy quondam iren,
that / readily gave the required pledge
Apparently quite relieved the young lady
threw aside all reverse, and talked aud chat
ted with me in the most pleasant mamie
possible. II is needless to say that in N
hour'6 timo had so fT advanced IN he
good grRces as TO venture TO press her hand
and the sweet half coquettish smile tina
played around the corners OF her cherry
lips did not seem to ~disapprove of the lit
erty l had taken.
'Do you know, % said she, as We sat chat
ting confidently together, that / like
your face the first time / saw it,
1T was sympathetic ON both sides, then,
/ whispered, drawing her 80 near that
could feel her hot breath fam my cheek.
Eyes" she murmeTed gently withdraw
ing herself from my glowing embrace, 70
ws had passed through the tunnel, and
had taken a lovers advantage and snatche.
Il hasty kiss.
You are a naughty mantle naughtles
man / ever saw" she said in a low an
tremulous tone. 'If pa should be on tn
train, what would he say OF such proceed
ings."
fNever fear, sweet creature" / %rejoine
earnestly, your cross old father IS mile
away, and let us improve the present oI
p~oTtunity.
care you aware, " she observed half mis-
%cheviously, "that there is another tunne
beyond, a great deal darker too, than, tn
one we have left p
II know il" said l, with a tender glanc,
at my fair enslLver. 1--WE are drawing nea.
it very fast.
Once more / placed my arm around the
waist of the lady, and wrapped up in the
gloom of the tunnel, took sweet pledges
from her lips. II was very gratifying TO my
vanity. All good-looking men are vain,
you know / perceived that my lovely
companion chung more aifectionately TO me
than before; indeed, l had scarcely time 10
tear myself from her arms when we emer-
ged once more into broad daylight. She
had let her veil drop over her face, but /
could detect the crimson flush through the