The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-12-25
Misfellauenns.
w A TT N q.
A TALE OF CHICAGO.

The good steamer Empire lay swinging
uueasily ut her moorings In the Chicago
river on bright August morning In 1913.
Railways hadn not then wrested travel nom
the lakes, and the best route from the
northwest to New York was the round-
about way BY Mackinaw and Buffalo.
The old bloci-house of Fort Dearborn
was still standing. The streets Of the
embryo city were innocent of macadam
or Nicholson; indeed. the streets OF to-
day were not mt all. for the Chicago OF
that day has been buried six feet out OF
sight. The old Lake House was q prince
among hotels. a glarlng white two
story frame rcjoiced In the Bostonian
name of fremont, on the same corner
where It's namcsakc now rears It's colossal
proportions, while where the Sherman
now stands, u blowsy red-brick house
Haunted the same name In pretentlous gilt
letters OH It's ilarinS sides. McVicker's
and the 'Crosby's' were In the undreamed-
of future, but the since mayor was then
proprietor of u Tresplan temple, where
Charles Dibdin Pitt and Mrs. Jones, and
other hlstrionic celebrities Of that day and
generation delighted the unambitlous
denizens of what has since become one Of
the most wonderful cities of the world.
A busy throng hurried to and fro OF the
wharf where the steamer lay, ready to
start OIL her long run around the lakes.
There was summer pleasure party, full
Of merry Jest. and merrier laughter-self.
Observation-Disclosures of all the hurry and
care and anxiety about them. The mer-
chant from some interior town, journey.
Ing to New York to purchase merchandise,
clutchcd his valisc closely, and, outward
" calm. but inwardly purturbed and anx-
ious lest some abandoned wretch should
steal his trunk or pick his pockets, walked
solemnly into the grand salo0n.' All So
cial grades seemed TO be represented, from
the self.possessed. travelled man of the
world to the widc-cyed pumpkin from the
remote farmhouse.
Threading his way daintily through the
throng. came gentleman with strongly
marked and not altogether pleasant,
though handsome and smiling features,
with faultless outfit and air Of most i'm
purturbablc aplomb. A plainly-dressed
aud quite pretty woman leaned nervous
ly on his arm, and half accompanied, half
followed him. Her eyes bore traces OF
recent weeping, and her face wore the
half:puzzled, half-penitent expression Of
one In strong doubt whether the present
uCtlOu bt UtuOCeUt. Otcppltix
from the wharf tn the boat, she seemed to
hesitate for moment; but her compan-
Ion ignored any such suspicion, II he en-
tertalned Ii, anl, moving rapidly and
confidently forward, led her Into the sa-
loon. Here he seated her with ceremoni-
ous politcness, and. telling her that she
need do nothing but walt until he attend
ed to the disposition Of her baggage and
secured her state-room. he turned away,
but after step or two, returned, and
with an appearance ofrespectfIl concern,
said:
1T would be well. Mrs. Barnes, II you
would drop yonr vail. 1t would save
YOU from impertlnent staring. anu per.
haps from annoying questions.'
She glanced towards his face with .
slightly surprised look; hut he had tur,,-
ed again, and was walking away with the
air Of jaunty assurance which sat 20 nat
urally upon him. She half rose as II to
follow him, but Immediately resumed her
seat, and murmuring. Perhaps he's right
perhaps he's right she drew her vail
closely over her face, and settled herself
back into the luxurious sofa with an un-
easy sigh.
Her companion hurried out to the street,
and glanced up and down. Presently Q
baggage wagon drove up, from which the
driver llfted two large trunks, consplcu-