The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-10-29

ed. lie could not endure such vul-
gar propinquity. So he arose quickly
and s:riding over his companion,
made the best of his way into the
smoking-car.
|. Miss Winchcstcr's sacrifice had
been witnessed by all in the carria &c
and dozen seats were offered her by
dozen polite and officiating young
gentleman, but she declined them ali
by q motion of the head, and remained
leaning against the side ofthc vehicle.
The train flew onward-the old
gentleman meanwhile disposing him.
self for comfortable nap, which he
was shortly enjoying.
Sometime before midnight the
lamps Of Boston cleaned through the
darkness; another moment and the
train thunlered into the depot.
Our old gentleman arose, shook
himself, graspcd his vaiisc. and came
over to the side of Miss Winchester.
madam" he said, ''you have
madc an old, feeble mans journey
tolcrable; will you not tell him your
name and place Of abode?"
She smiled, waived all thanks. and
gave him her card. He bowed and
left her. just as Fitz James appeared
20 escort her from the cars. But
getting through the crowd was no easy
matter, for the fuss and hustle were
unusual; and Isabel noticed that sew
eral uniformed companies filed the
space in froLt Of the depot.
Cries Of "Hurrah for Gen. Suther-
ton"' "Thrcc cheers for the hero Of
Mexico!" rent the air. Banners
trailcd out on the fresh night breeze;
flambcaux flashed, drums beat, and u
long line Of carriages filed slowly up
the street.
Fitz James inquired the occasion of
all this tumult. and learned that it
was public welcome extended by
the citizens of Boston to Gen. John
Sutherton,a gentleman and veteran
officer. who had signally distinguish
cd himself in the then late Mexican
war.
"He came in this train," said
bystander. lis it possible, sir, that
You did not discover him?-a sickly
looking old man, dressed in thread
bare gray and carrying huge black
valise. lie has just recovered from
a severe attack Of rheumatic fever,
which has troubled him ever since
his last campaign. Those vile Mcxi-
can night vapors and sleeping on the
cold ground, undermined his consti-
tuition; but he is fine old fellow yet "
Miss Winchester thought he must
be; she had hearcd much Of his gal
liant daring, but Fitz James was the
picture Of silent modification.
Miss Winchester and her cousin
stopped at the American House, and
early thc next morning, before the
lady had finished dressing a servant
brought up note bearing her address.
Isabel tore it open, and there fell oat
two cards of invitation to a ball to be
held at the Revere, that evening in
honor of Gen. Sutherton. One bore
the name Of Fitz James, and tho 9TH
cr was directed to herself. She had
no acquaintances in Boston, conse-
qucntly the invitation must have been
sent at the instance Of the General
himself.
Fitz James was surprised and hu-
inflated at this mark Of dl stinction,
for he could tst realize that the inyi-
tation had been extended to him sole
ly to save his cousins feelings. But
Notwithstanding this, he wished to
accept it, if only to have an oppor-
tunity Of excusing his yesterdays
impohtcness to the great man.
The journey to Nahant was defer
red for one day; and early that even
ing the cousins were ut the Revere,
where the brilliant coterie had already
assembled.
Gen. Suthcrton, reclining in an
easy chair at the head Of the great
rawing room, received his friends as
they passed by, one giving place to
another; but when Isabel was pre-
sentcd, ho detained her hand to say:
"Please sit down on this ottoman
at my side; | have a relative here to
whom l wish to present to you.''
1t was not long before singulsrly
handsome young man came up to the
General. smiling friendly welcome,
and the veteran turned to Isabel, and
said:
"Miss Winchester, allow me to
present toyou, my son Alfred Suth-
erton. who is very grateful for the
kindness which you last evening be-
slowed upon ais father"
The young man bowed, and his
father continued:
"Whenevcr l see a young person
voluntarily render respect to the aged
! am constrained to admire and re-
spect him or her as relic Of the
good old politsness which rel gnea
over show and heartlessness when I
was lad. 1t is all hollow ceremony
now, my dear, and if III old man can
not stand without assistance, he is
thrcwn down and troddcn upon. But
there is i march or my ears deceive
me. Alfred, do you need further
hint. or must your rheumatic old faith
or set you All example Of courtesy!"
Tho young man started and colorcd
fer he had been gazing SO intcntly on
the rare beauty of Miss Winchester,
that he had forgotten time and place.
eff Miss Winchester will permit, !"
he said, Offering his arm: and mo-
ment more and thcy were lost in Il