The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-08-14
My Railway Companion.
BY CLARA AUGUSTA.

A year ago was a confirmed old bach
elor. I scoffed at the women-God bless
them and in the club-room, on the street,
at the evening party, and everywhere else
where l could get an audience, l always
took the opportunity of discoursing at
large on the faults and failings of the gen.
tie sex.
And 1 am going to tell you what made
me thus misanthropic. If it had not been
lor Fanny Gray, it would never have hap
pened.
Naturally, am happy to say, am one
of the best-tempered, most generous-hearted
fellows i'll the world, but early in life had
a disappointment in love and you know
disappointment of that kind is sufficient to
change the whole course of an individuals
life. l could instance a great many dis
tinguished men as cases in point, if l were
so disposed.
My disappointment occurred, as l said,
early in life very early, in fact. We went
to school together, and used to help her
over the bad places in the road, and in vul-
gar fractions; and from helping her i'll
difficulty, got to loving her. And here
let me throw out hint to mankind at
large. Never get to assisting a woman in
trouble, unless you are willing she should
win your heart for she'll be sure to do it,
whether she wants to or not. Man is an
animal that enjoys being looked up to, and
being asked advice of; and if woman
once defers to him, and gets him to decide
things for her, he'll just as surely fall in
love with her as he's living.
Fanny was a pretty girl. Everybody said
so, and it was an undeniable fact. She had
yellow hair, all crinkles and curls and
brown eyes, and such a white skin, and the
prettiest little feet and hands in the world.
Why, my hand isn't a large one, but I
could hold both of hers in one of mine and
not half try.
How well I remember the night told
her that loved her. 1t was in October
most cross grained things happen in Octo-
Der, believe we had gone together over
into the lake pasture after the cows; and
had got down on my knees right in the wet
test, spongiest part of the path-nearly
ruined the knees of my new gray panta-
looms, | recollect-and poured out my pas
sion at her feet.
She laughed in my face. Perhaps you
have noticed that girls in general have a
habit of giggling. Yes, she laughed in
my face, and told me to go home, and eat
my bread and butter like good boy, and
not be troubling her with talk like that
She said she was great deal too young to
think of marriage; and that when she 1as
old enough, it was her intention to marry
duke at least and live in a palace, and go
to the queens drawing rooms, and be called
"my lady" etc. And then she laughed
again
rose from my knees very hot, and an
rry, and told her she was heartless tiirt,
and mentioned to her that my heart was
broken; but she only laughed the more
And in the midst of it, along came Harry
Smith. whistling Hail Columbia; y and
she let Harry take down the bars for her,
and lift her over the brook, and was Jubl-
liant when, in the middle of the stream,
Harry legs failed under him-for he was
Il small fellow, and she was as plump as a
partridge-and he slipped down with her,
and both got as wet as minks.
WE'LL that was years ago, but never
fully recovered from the sting her unklnd
refusal gave me. If have said anything
about the female sex of which | ought to
be ashamed, anything which was wrong,
Fanny Gray ought to be held accountable,
not I.
went home feeling as if did not care a
straw for life. did not eat my supper
and Aunt Peggy made me drink some APP
petite bitters, in the virtues of which she
had great faith. / went up to my room
early, packed few things in valise, and
the next day ran away to New York.
I intended to ship on whaler, but there
was no chance at the time, and got on a
coaster instead. The Polly Jane only ran
with freights to Philadelphia, but that voy-
age was enough. wanted no more of the
sea. thought should never live to reach
land and the sailors, unfeeling wretches,
did little else but laugh at me.
Once back in New York, no money could
tempt me to try my luck again on the briny
deep got a chance as errand boy in the
mercantile establishment of Storey, john
stone & Co. 1t was good place, and my
employers did the liberal thing by me.