The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-14
THE box TUNNEL.
BY CHARLES READE.

THE BOX TUNNEL.
BYCHARLEs READE.
The l0:l5 train glided FROM Paddington MAY 7,
1s47. In the left compartment OF q certain first.
class carriage were four passengers; of these,
two were worth description. The lady had Q
smooth, white, delicate brow, strongly marked
eyebrows, long lashes, eyes that seemed to change
color, and q good.sized, delicious mouth with
teeth as white IS milk. A man could not see her
nose for her eyes and mouth her own sex could
and would have told Us some nonsense about IT,
She wore an unpretendng grayish dress, but
toned to the throat. with lozenge- shaped buttons
and Scotch shawl that agreesbly evaded the re-
sponsibility OF color. She was like q duck, so
tight her plain feathers fitted her, and there abe
her hand and soupcon of her snowy wrist just
visible ss she held il. Her opposite neighbor was
was what call good style OF mantle more to
his credit since he belonged to corporation that
frequently turns out the worst imaginable style of
young man. he was Q cavalry officer, aged
twenty-five. He had moustache. but not q very
repulsive one; not one of those sub.nasal Dig.
tails on which soup Is suspended like dew on Q
shrub 1t was short, thick and black as q coal.
His teeth had not yet been turned by tobacco
smoke to the color Of tobacco juice, his clothes
did not stick to nor hang on him he had an en-.
gsgiDg smile, and what liked the dog for his
vanity, which was inordinste, was in its proper
place. his heart. not in his face, jostling mine and
other peoples, who have none-in Q word, he was
what one oftener hears of than MEETS Young
gentleman. He was conversing In an animated
whisper with companion, fellow-oficer; they
were talking about what IL is far better not to
do-women. Our friend clearly did not wish to
be overheard, for he cast ever and anon Q
furtive glance at bis fair uis d-uis and lowered
his voice. She seemed completely absorbed in
Sso and that oru 70 & A Last the
must be told,) the one who got down ct Slough
and was lost TO posterty, bet ten pounds to three
that he who was going down with rs to Bath and
immortality. would not kiss either Of the ladies
| am sorry man have hitherto praised should
have lent himself, even In Q Whisper to such
speculation, but nobody is wise at all hours,u
not even when the clock Is striking five and twenty;
and you are to consider his profession, his good
looks, and the temptation-ten to three.
After Slough the party was reduced to three;
at Twyford one lady dropped her handkerchief;
Captain Dolignan fell on 1t like tiger and re,
interchanged on that occasion. At Reading the
Marlborough Of our tale made one of the safe
investments of that day, he bought Times and a
Punch; the latter full Of steel pen thrusts and
wood cuts vslor and beauty deigned to laugh
at some inflated humbug or other punctured BY
Punch. Now laughing together thaws our human
ice; long before Swindon Il was q talking match
at Swindon who SO devoted as Captain Dognan-
ne handed them out-he souped thsm-he
them-he branded and cochi.
nealed' one. and he branded and burnt-sugared
the other; on their return to the carriage, one
lady passed into the inner compartment to in.
spect certain gentleman's seat on that side the
line.
Reader, had II been you or I, the beauty vould
have been the deserter, the average one would |
have stayed with rs, till all was blue ourselves
included; not more surely does our slice of bread
and butter when 1t escapes from our hand, revolye
Il ever 30 often, alight face downward on the |
carpet. But this was o bit Of fop, Adonis, |
1ragoon-so Venus remained 10 tete-d tete with !
him. You have seen dog meet an unknown fe- |
male OF his species how handsome, how en- |
oresse, how expressive he becomes; such was /
Dolgnan after Swindon, and, TO do the dog jus. |
lice, he got handsomer and handsomer; and You /
have seen cat conscious of approaching cream /
'uch was Miss Hsythorn; she became demurrer /
Ind demurrer; presently our captain looked out Of /
ook from Miss Hsythorn.
I'VE are only mile from the Box Tunneln
DO you always laugh q mile from the Box /
Cunne'" said the lady.
Invariably"
"What for?''
why, hem II ia gentleman's joker
captain Dolignan thus encouraged, recounted |
o Miss Haythorn the following:
"a lady and her husband sat together going
trough the Box Tuunel-there was one gentle.
nan opposite; it was pitch dark; after the tunnel
ne lady said, George, how absurd of you to
ante ,h me gong through the Tunnel, did no
ecause somehow thought you didp
Here Capt. Dolignan laughed and endeavored
0 lead his companion to laugh. but il was not
be done. The train entered the tunnel.
Miss Haythorn-Ehl
Dolignan-What is the matter,
Mics Haythorn-I am frightened.
Oollgnan moving to her side)-Pray do not be
larmed; am near you.
Miss Haythorn-You are near me-very near ma.
ldeed, Capt. Dolignan.
Dolignan-You know my name
Miss Hsythorn-I heard your friend mention n. |
wish we were out Of this dark place.
Dolignan-l could be content to spend hours |
ere, reassuring you, dear lady.
Miss Hsythorn-Nonsense
bur lips to the cheek Of the next pretty creature
ou meet, or you will understand what this
eans.)
Miss Hsythorn-Eel Eel Ee!
Friend What II the matter!
Miss Haythorn-Open the door Open the .
There was Q sound of hurried vhjspers. the | .
or was shut and the blind pulled down with hos. !
Q sharpness. :
If any critic falls on me for putting insrticulats
unds ~ 2 dialogue a. above. I answer with all |.
Q insolence can command ct present, p" Hit |
ys as big a. yourself !" bigger. perhaps, such '
oopnocies, Eorpedes and Aristophsnes; they =
gan H. and learned 1t of them, sore against
will.
Miss Hsythorn's scream lost most Of ih effect
cause the engine whistled forty thousand muir b
70 a. The same moment; and fictitious grief Y
lkesitself heard when real cannot. u
between the tunnel and Bath our young friend | OF
time to AK himself whether his conduct had p
en- marked By that delicate reserve which ID
opposed TO distinguish the perfect gentleman.
With long face, real or feiened. he held open q,
door; his late friends attempted to escape on :,
Ihis 70 s called pert snd o.
'us nssHfs. ! ef