The Van Buren press., 1869-02-23
MISCELLANY.
WAITING.

The good steamer Empire lay swinging
uneasily at her, mo orings in the Chicago
river, on n bright August morning IN
1S4S Railways had not then wrested
travel from the Lakes, and the best route
from the Northwest to New York, was
the round about way by Mackinaw and
Buffalo. The old block 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 at all, for the
Chicago of that day has been hurled six
feet out of sight. The old Lake Honse
was a price among hotels. A glaring,
white, wo.story frame. rcjoiced in the
Bostonian name Of fremont, on the same
corner where its namesake now rears its
colossal proportions, while where the
Sherman now stands, a blowsy red-brick
Haunted the same name in pretentious
gilt letters, on its staring sides. Nc
Vickars and the Crosby's were in the un
dreamed of future, but the since Mayor
was then proprietor ola Thespian temple,
where Chas. Dibdin Pitt and Mrs. Jones,
and other histrionic celebrities Of that
day and generation, delighted the IMAM
bilious denizens Of what has since become
| one of the most wonderful cities OF the
world,
! A busy throng hurried to and fro on
the wharf where the steamer lay, ready to
start on her long run around the Lakes.
| There was a summer pleasure party, full
of merry Jest, and merricr laughter
absorbed needless Of all the hurry and
anxiety about them. The merchant from
some interior town, journeJing to New
York to purchase merchandise, clutched
his valisc closely, and, outwardly calm,
but inwardly perturbed and anxious lest
some abandoned wretch should steal his
trunk, or pick his pockets, walked solemn
ly into the grand saloon. All social
grades were represented, from the self
possessed, travelled man Of the world TO
the wide.eycd bumpkin from the remote
farm house. ....I -.
Threading his way daintily through the
throng, came gentleman with strongly
marked and not altogether pleasant,
though handsome and smiling features,
with faultless outfit AMI air of most i'm.
pcrturbablc aplon.b. A plainly dressed
and quite pretty woman leaned nervousy
on his arm. and half accompanied, half.
followed him. Her eyes bore traces of
recent weeping, and her face wore the
half.puzzled, half-pcnitent expression Of
one in strong doubt whether the present
action be innocent or criminal Stepping
from the wharf to the boat, she seemed
to hesitate q moment, hut her companion
ignored any such suspicion, if be enter
tanned it, and moving confidently toward
her, led her into the saloon Here he
seated her with ceremcnious politeness,
and telling her she need do nothing but
wait until lie had attended to the baggage
and secured her state room, he turned
away, but, after a step pr two, returned,
and with an appearance Of respectful
concern, said, p.
at would be WE'LL Mrs. Barnes, If you
would drop your veil. 1t would save you
from impertinent staring, and perhaps
from annoying questions
She glanced toward, his face with a
surprised look, but he had turned again,
, and was walking awiH, with the air OF
aunty assurance that at so naturally up.
on him. She half rose, as II 10 follow
him, but Immediately resumed her seat