The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-02-13
WAITED FOR At THE OOWNLEY
STATION.

passing cab, l could not beip wishing
that l bad taken my wlfe's advice, and
gone TO Downley by an earlier train.
The weather had grown much worse
instead Of better, and not only did the
wind blow as boisterously as it had
done all day, but its gusts now drove
before them heavy rain which would
have wetted,one through in very
few minutes. AS rule, disengaged
cabs crawling slowly past my house
were nuisance, and now l had waited
full quarter OF an nour without seeing
one, and knew that the margin be-
yond the humber Of minutes absolutely
necessary for getting to the station
was growing dangerously narrow
There was howl there was delugel
1 could never walk to the station in
this. Ahl there was one. In answer
to the mans hail, 1 dashed through
my little garden, and IN q few seconds
was inside four wheeler.
"Great Southern, sir2 yes sir" said
the man as ho stood vt the door, the
rain pouring from his oilslsn in streams.
"An uncommon Tasty night, sir"
So 1t was, and so | should fancy the
poor fellow found it, for when he open
ed the door for me to alight at the
station, q complete ring of water form
ed where he stood We were in pretty
good time after all, and got my ticket
and was seated comfortably III the
carriage some minutes before the mo.
ment Of starting. There were very
fow passengers IN any Of the carriages,
and in the one by which / travelled and
which was marked for the DOwnlcy
branch, there were but two or three,
and WAS the only occupant of my
department. The last bell had rung,
the whistel had sounded, the promoni-
tary scream from the engine had been
given. and then, of course, had followed
tho first tug, when l heard a voice
shout, "This way, sir, this way"
A guard tore along the platform,
followed by belated passenger; my
door was unlocked, the stranger jump.
cd painting in, the door was slammed
to, a shilling changed hands rapidly,
and we swept from the station.
"By Jove,' exclaimed the now comor,
wiping his forehead as he spoke, "by
Jove, that was n close thing"
"Very" 1 assented, "and the last
train too"
"The las, tram, certainly said my
companion. II believe there is no way
whatever of getting to Downley if you
miss this train"
"There is none," Ireplied, (which IS
very inconvenient."
"Oh excessively So" he returned.
"Have you any objection ?"
OF course. as he said this, he exhibl-
ted his cigar case, and finding had no
objection, he pressed q cigar upon me,
which may remark was one of the
very best ever smoked, and thcn,
without further speech, he reclined d
with his eyes closed, as though in deep
thought.
He was tall, blocking man,
with fine beard and moustacho, very
black and full. But could not help
thinking that his head WAS httlo too
much like head from hairdresser's
window, and his attire was trife too
like picture from fashion book
Somehow everything about him was
too new and glossy to please me en-
tirely, and his jewelry was also too
profuse, but 1t could not be denied that
his cigar WAS capital one.
sank into n reveric as deep as his
own; indeed, | rather suspect l had
begin to doze, when l was reused by
the stopWng of The tram. My com
panion reused himself too. was on
the side nearer to the platform, and
looked out.
IA rough night still, isn't tH" he
said.
ut is indeed" replied, "JusC put
your head oLt, and try how the wind
is blowing"
"No, thank yor," he returned a
smile, ~ will take your word for it,.
laughed in reply, and was about to
close the window. when the guard
looked in, The official passed on, but
returned IN few seconds ard stared
somewhat eurously, l fancied, INTO the
carriage. The scream and the tug
came again, and on we went.
"That fellow had good stare at
you" said my companion,
"Well, l fancled he looked chiefly at
you," said; "but the fact was, have
no doubt, ho smelt Il somewhat power
full odor Of tobacco and no wished us
to see that he did"
II shouldn't wonder" said the
stranger, throwing himself back with
the languid air of one who takes no IN
terest in conversation. "Do we stop
again before we arrive at the Downley
branch"
"No," / replied.
Very good, them he continued; let
us make ourselves comfortable