Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1869-01-21
A JEALOUS FATHER

1
lem Railroad.
do not know that 1 should have
particularly noticed that we stopped
st all, for had been mapping for u
few miles; but jsst as was casting n
sleepy look out of the window, and
settling myself for another siesta, my
attention was sttracted by the en-
trance Of young lady, way pass
enger, who, perceiving that the car
was well filled, paused before me in
embarrassment.
] scarcely wish the reader to infer
from this that there were no vacant
seats; on the contrary, the chair /
occupied was sellishly mouopolized
by my shawl and valise, which had
excluded many an occupant, and so
the moment | saw the door open
resolved not TO bulge an inch; but a
glance at the newcomer caused me
to change my mind. She was la
dy of exceeding beauty. dressed in
the rich and tasty style of the
present fashion. Whether it was her
genteel aspect or the soft melancholy
of her dark, expressive eyes, can
not say; but when she ventured, al
most timidly, to enquire if the half
seat at my side was engaged, / gal
lantly rose and proffered it to her at
once. must acknowledge that /
felt somewhat fattered by her prefer
ence, for, though young man and
tolerably goci looking, / had the
sense to perceive that there were far
better looking men around, who.
like me. might have shared their
chair with the handsome lady stran-
ger fancied they envied me, too,
as the fair young lady sat down, and
her dainty form nestled closely by
my side.
Il fear have disturbed you;' said
she, in low, sweet tone, that filled
me with its soft cadence.
Not at all. Miss, / reioined with
stereotyped politeness. ] am happy
to oblige YOU
She bowed and smiled in reply and
then short pause ensued, as is usu-
al on such short acquaintanceship.-
Meantime the train had started, and
we ratified swiftly through the fields
and woods now decked in the lively
tint of spring. The conductor came
in and went through the customary
routine of examining the tickets. i
perceived that hers was marked for
New York, and after some hesitation
| said:
You go to the city?'
Yes she replied, with smile of
winning candor; that, l presume,
you have already found out from my
ticket
Then l shall keep you compa-
ny
Thank you, SIR
There wasa slight dignity, / tho't
in her tone that repealed further ia
nliliarity; so, as l am very modest
man, drew back and said nothing
further. On rushed the steam horse
upon its iron railway. One more sta
ton was passed, and was fast re-
lansing into my former apathy, when
my lady friend leaned ovard me and
whispered:
i am very timid Oil the cars'
Indeed said l, quite charmed
with her abruptness. You surely
are accustomed to travelling?
Perfectly she replied with some
nonchalence; but that is not it ex-
actly. There are SO many dreadful
accidents
Dreadful indeed echoed 1.
And added my companion with
naivette, 1t is unpleasant to travel
unattended. j usually have brother
Charley with me. He is q splendid
escort
If you will allow ME, / will glad
ly occupy that position said |. gal
lantly.
Il am much obliged to you SIR
yet l am half frightened TO think /
am accepting the escort of stran,
ger; not that i fear you. sir. but /
have a jealous father
"A jealous father. i repeated, puz-
zled.
All, yes.' it is my misfortune,
while haying wealth, health, and al
most everything the heart could wish
to be under the control Of a tyrannic
old ep-father who treats me often
times in the most cruel manner, de
bars me froA. the society oeyouE sex
and shuts me up with pitiless Zig
or If do so much as look at or
speak to q man.
What a monster calculated,
with face Of melo dramatic syn-
patty.
That is the reason she continu'd
looking around her half fearfully,
this is the reason why 1 am so di d.
dent about entrusting myselfto your
care But ] do it Oh one condition.
Name it, ] said, charmed with the
strange confidence she was reposing
in me.
'.That you leave me the moment
the cars reach New York
/ was SO 'bewitched that / readily
gave the required pledge. Appar-
emily quite relieved. the young lady
threw aside all reserve, and chatted
in the most pleasant manner. 1t is
needless to say that in an hour had
SO far advanced in her good graces
as to venture to press her hand, and
the sweet, coquettish smile that
played around the corners of her
cherry lips did not seem to disap-
prove of the liberty had taken.
DO you know said she, as we
sat chatting 'confdentially together,
that ] liked your face the first time
/ / saw it? -
1T was sympathetic on both sides