Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1868-09-11
Z L ECT MIS- CELL A n Y
APA.LRoAD FILTRATION.

"KANTOFH!n shouted the brake
man, opening the car door rs the train
paused before q pleasant little station
on the Harlem Railroad.
| d on't know as | should have par
ticularly noticed that we stopped at
all, tor had been mapping it Tor some
miles but, just as | was casting on
settling myself tor another siesta, my
attention was attracted by the en-
trance Of a young lady, way passen-
ger, who perceiylng the car We'll filled,
paused before me with evident EN-
Darrassment.
scarcely wish the Waaer to infer
from this tina. there were no Nacants;
on the contrary, the chair l occupied
was sclfishly monopolized by my
shawl and vaIise when had excluded
many applicants, and SO the moment
| observed the car door opened |
mentally resolved not to bulge an
inch; but a glance at the new conner
changed my mind.
She was young lady Of exceed
ing beauty, dressed in the rich and
tasty style OF the present fashion,
Whether it was the gentcel aspect,
or the soft melancholy of he dark
impressive eyes, l cannot say, but
when she ventured almost timldly to
enquire il the halt seat at my side
was engaged" | gallantly arose and
proffered it to her at once. | must
acknowledge | felt somewhat tiattcred
by her preference, for though young
man and tolerably good looking, |
had the sense to perceive there were
tar better men around, who like me,
might have shared their chair with
the handsome lady stranger. |
tancied they envied me too, as the
fair girl sat plump down, and her
dainty form nestled close to my
side.
u fear l have disturbed YOU
said my companion, in a low, sweet
voice, that thrilled me with its soft
cadence.
Not at all, Miss l replied with
stereotyped politeness. Il am too
happy to oblige you"
She bowed ana smiled in reply, and
a short pause ensued, as is usual upon
such sudden acquaintanceship. In
the meanwhile, the train had start
ed, and we ratified swiftly throug h
the fields and woods, now deckcd In
the lively tints Of Spring. The con-
ductor came in and went through the
customary routine Of examining the
tickets l perceived hers was mark
ed for New York, and after hesitation,
l said:
"You go to the city,
"Yes,a she replied with a smile of
winning candor; that | presume, you
have already found out
Il shall keep your company then,
l observed pleasantly.
"Thank you, sir
There was slight dignity, l
thought in her tone, which repealed
further familiarity, SO, as am very
modest man, | drew back aud said
nothing further, On rushed the steam
horse on its iron pathway. One more
station had been passed and | was
fast relapsing into my former apathy,
when my lady friend, to my SUR
prise, leaned towards me and whis-
pered,
Il am so very timid on the ears
Indeed" said l, quite charmed
with her abruptness. you surely arc
well accustomed 10 travelling
Perfectly she replied with some
nonchalance, sbut that is not it ex-
actly. There are SO many dreadful
accidents on the railroad
"Drcadfnl indeed.' echoed |.
And,' added my companion with
naivctte. Il usually have brother
Charlie with me; he is splendid cs
cort.n
If you will allow me- said |, quite
CALAMITY, Il will gladly occupy that
positson."
II am much obliged to you, sir,
replied the young lady, with CRATE
| ftlt glance from her dark orbs, ''yc'
] am half frightened to think I an
accepting the escort Of stranger, no
that / fear you, sir; but, alas | have
jealous fsther."
"A jealous fathcrw I repeated, some
what puzzled and surprised.