The Van Buren press., 1869-02-23


luxurious sofa with an uneasy sigh.
Her companion hurried out to th
street, and glanced up and down. Pres
. emily baggage wagon drove up, fror
which the driver lifted two large trunks
conspie1ously lettered, Mrs. NJ, Z
Barnes" and carried them on board th
steamer Then, approaching the gentle
man we have remarked, he said with
knowing grim
There, Mr.. Jeremy, I've broagh
them ere trunks in good time, and ! shal
have to have two dollars, for I've had t
drive fast, tell you"
Certainly, my man." replied he whc
was addressed as Mr., jeremy, three o
them, if YOU like" Then. handing tn
man bank note for five dollars, and ais,
a folded amp sealed paper, he added
"Here-I shall give you five; but yo
must promise TO take this letter to som'
one of the newspaper Offices, and hand /
to the local editor, but don't under an,
circumstances, tell from whom you re
ceived it, viii you take the five and dc
this, or must | give the three to some
other messenger y
"Oh, I'll take the letter, of course
But with another grin" do you think
they'll print it
Mr.. Jeremy betrayed little surpris,
at the manner OF the man, but answered,
with pleasant smile:
Il guess so--items are scarce"
Softly vhistling popular air, Mr.
Jeremy stepped aboard the steamer. Tho
baggage man looked after him, and NUT
tered to himself; " You're sharp I'm. 1t
don't make no difference to you whether
Cass or Taylor's elected, SO Yen gifts the
petticoats on your side, know" And
he jumped on his wagon and drove away
well content with his afternoons earn.
ings."
The steamers bell rang ont the last
note of warning the lineswere cast loose
the cleaning engine slid away with cat
like tread, the ponderous wheelst 'shok
off the flashing spray, and the good
steamer Empire, freighted with inanimate
value and pulsing life, bearing the buoy
ancy Ofyouthlul years and pleasurable in
tent, and the uneasy imaginings of un
scrupulous aud plotting guilt, moved out
! on the bosom of the lake.
The afternoon of the succeeding day
was far advanced. The western sun
pierced his level laLces through the veil
Of grimy smoke that settled along the
busy river, and far out across the green
bosom of the lake their golden points
were dimmed and bunted against the pur
pie east The clatter, rather than roar,
which was the business voice of the Chi
cago OF that day, was dying into quiet,
and over vast regions where one now
hears the rumble OF the horse cars, aud
y Tbs ma nylonel voice OF traffic, the air
they lazly wandered homeward.
The steamer Baltic, from Buffalo direct,
had Just arrived. The hustle of landing
was almost over, and the knot Of idlers
which such an event at that day always
drew, was moving gradually away A
gentleman of thirty-fvc years stepped
briskly ashore, leading by the hand lit
tie boy of not more than five years. Both
were well bat plainly clad, indicating a
middle social rank and the face of the
gentleman wore that expression of pleas
urable anticipation, not, indeed, entirely
unmixed with apprehension, which one
always feels upon return home after a
long absence.
owen soon be home now, Harry, my
boy. and / shouldn't wonder if mamma
half choked you with kisses"
"Oh, I'm so glad to come home " re.
turned the boy. Il am tired ofboats and
water. And we've got such lots of nice
things for mamma, too haven't we p
Yes pet; and only think how lone
some mamma must have been all these
weeks, without her little boy"
lie caught the little fellow up in his
arms, and moved onward at more rapid
pace Along Lake street he greeted two
or three. acquaintances with a brief nod
to each while they, unnoted by him,
looked after him with troubled eyes a
compassionate shake of the head
Threading his way rapidly and coma
IDENTIFY he turned up Clark street, passed
under the shadow Of the old court house
to Lasallc, and up that street to point
not many hundred feet away from the
spot where the great new buildings of the
Young Mems Christian association have
recently been burned Here he turned
off dagonally, and, crossing some vacant
lots, approached low, white cottage He
saw, as he came up that the blinds were
all closed, and the house looked deserted
and silent. But it was hot day, he said
to himself, aud behind the blinds must be
the futtcring curtains and cool shade Of
pleasant home. Besides, he thought,
she is not expecting me; am more than
a week ahead of time"
He stepped ON the little stoop and turn
ed the knob, but the door was locked
Bidding the boy wait for him there, he
went to the rear door. That. too, was
closed and locked He returned to the
front with surprise and anxiety, and tho
shadow Of gathering fear written on his
face. But be plucked up heart again
when he came back to the front, aad his
little boy asked
Papa, whercis mamma? Who don,
we go int
Mamma did not expect us to-day
he replied with dreary cheerfulness
:" and she has gone out to see some neigh
bors or shopping, may be. But shell
be back presently, and well sit down on
the step here, and wait for her.
But he rang the bell loudly, and listen
cd intently as It's echoes sounded through