The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-05-27

waterfalls composed Of curlcd hair, old stock
| ings, split zephyr, black yarn, and dirty horse
hair She had a clear complexion, with a
dash of crimson in her cheeks, brown eyes,
| and a mouth that-wcll, was an old bachel-
or then, and did not believe in women; but
did think wouldn't mind touching those red
lips with my own, just to see how it would
seem for in all my life I never kissed any
woman but my mother-except Aunt Peggy,
who had the catarrh and took snuff.
Before many moments elapsed, the curly
haired young man returned, and looked dag
gers and butcher-knives at me.
This is my seat, sir, said he, with an air
of authority.
II beg your pardon, sir" said I. "This
lady is under my charge, and claim the right
to sit with her."
Under your charged said he, with a
look of surprise 1Then why the deuce
didn't you sit with her before ?"
I-I-thought she wonld be more COM
Portable with the seat to herself, said |. CT
am sorry to disturb you, sir, but you can take
the seat I have just left" And I pointed
with my thumb over my shoulder, to the seat
Mrs Poodle occupied.
!" Thank you for the suggestion" said the
young man, !" but prefer the smoking car"
Which proved him to be very sensible fell
low, after all.
Well, it wasn't half so bad as it might
have been, to sit beside my travelling compan-
ion. She did not smell of musk. and she had
no bundles, poodles, nor bandboxes, The
wind came in at crack of the window, and
I fixed shawl to keep it out, and somehow I
touched her hand. What thrill went thro'
me! It was like taking shock from GAL
vanic battery, only rather pleasanter.
Pretty soon we fell to talking. | do not
remember what we commenced about, but |
recollect distinctly that was surprised to find
how sensible she was. 1t was little curious
to me where woman ever managed to pick
up SO many ideas; and it was still more Curl
GUS how she knew just what to say and where
tosay it.
To cut long matter short, we had an ex-
ceedingly pleasant day Of it; and when night
came, Mrs. Graves went off to sleep with her
head on my coat, and shawl piled up against
the side of the car. But by and by fell to
thinking that the road was rough and the
cars joltcd so, that she would not rest well,
and then I wondered how 1 could fix her bet.
ter.
The lights had burned very dim-eridently
kerosene was scarce-and the passengers were
all asleep, and snoring as people never snore
anywhere except in railway car, and-well,
you see pitied her poor head, bobbing around
SO with every jolt, and just drew it down to
my shoulder and put my arm around her to
keep her in place. hope no one will be un-
kind enough to blame me for SO doing it was
all the result of my naturally kind heart, you
know.
You ask me how I felt? Why, as if Ihad
swallowed a couple Of rainbows washed down
with cologne and otto of roses. Probably I
was not quite right in my mind with the now
city of the sensation, and that was what made
me kiss her; and after the first kiss somc-
how there don't seem to be any stopping place.
But then had never had any practice, and
wanted to perfect myself, you know.
I did not sleep any that night it seemed
as if ought not to sleep; somebody might
have picked my pocket, or there might have
been a collision, or something might have
happened, and so had to kiss Mrs. Graves
now and then to keep me awake.
Next moring she awakened as fresh and
rosy as pink just blossomed. She asked me
if l had rested well, and told her yes, delight
fully! How pretty and refreshed she looked.
Not gray and stupid and red eyed, as every
body else did, but just as bright as if she had
slept in her own bed at home
don't believe that any Of us begin to re.
alize how much Of our good looks is due to a
iudicious use of soap and water, and fine comb;
but few days and nights travel..o a railway
will wake us up to an understanding of it;
for if any one has beauty enough to make
them look decent after nights rest in a rail-
way car, then they never need be afraid that
time will destroy their beauty for what
can't do, time can't do either.
By and by we came to rcfreshment stop
ping place, and there we all washed our IA
ces and got something to eat And such a
cup Of coffee as had |! It was nectar She
sweetcncd it for me, which is the only reason
I know of for its superiority.
All we'll, that was delightful journey,
but must not be too lengthy in describing
it.
A little while before We would reach Chi
cago. Mrs. Graves turned to me and said:
g Mr. Stanford, cannot express the graft
tndc feel toward you for your kindness. 1
am afraid [ have given you great deal OF
trouble"
sTroublep' interrupted l. Whatever |
have done has been pleasure"
You are very gallant to say so; but |
know what aLuisance you consider all women,
and"
"Not such women as you" said |, cursing
the luck that had revealed my prcdilectious
to her, and making VOW that when | saw
Tom Jasher, would blow him up for telling
her.
s,Thank YOU" And she laughed in way
perfectly bewitching. g You are very good;
and nos that our journey is almost at an end,
perhaps you had better give me my checks.
Charles will be at the depot to meet ms, and
he will relieve you from the trouble of seeing
after my luggage Dear old fellow !! how de-
lighted I shall be to see him. Only think /!
have been absent from him four long
months"
Charles
MY heart seemed bursting the moment she
spoke that name with such longing accent
Of fondness.
Charles how despised that cognomen!
heard of man once named Charles who
was hung. Mentally wished this Charles
could speedily meet the fate of his namesakc.