The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-07-22

lovingly lifted up toward Heaven
thought I never saw anything 50 IoVefy
Mol not even at carsvsnsary-party on thi
Avenue
On our return home, we scarcely ex
changed word, and soon after dinner
Kate withdrew to her own room; but thu
following Sunday, and many Sunday
after, sunshine or rain, the little hanC
rested within my arm on our way to ny
young friends church-my church now
Thank Godl
Who cares to read the story of love and
courtship of a railroad conductor and Q
miDiner? do not intend to inf1ict it or
you, kind reader-only just these few
words you must grant me leave to say, that
on the Sunday of my first communion,
asked Kate, calmly, collectedly, in all sin.
cerity of heart, but without a shadow Of
romance, without falling on my knees,
without even placing my hand on my waist
coat-to become my wife, and heard, with
unspeakable delight, her ''Yes," as calmly,
collectedly spoken, but with a look from
/ those mild eyes, soft, yet full of intelli-
gence, which left me no doubt of the sim
cerity with which this monosyllable was
uttered.
Kate had scarcely ever been from her
l.
on giving her q weeks wedding tour.
applied to the superintendent for leave
of absence, and was gruf1y answered,
"NoF
Old Adam not being yet quite dead with
in me, for it is astonishing how hard it Is
to kill the ancient gentleman, I gave a
rather saucy retort to saucy refusal
One angry word followed another, till at
last I was told that my services would not
be required after the first of the following
month.
/ came home that evening crest-fallen,
depressed, almost despairing. 1 told Kate
my troubles.
She chided me. Oh how gently, how
tenderly, affectionately did she chide me !
and that, not for the loss of my situation;
but on account of my petulence, so incon-
sistent with the duty of a Christian.
"We are not so badly of, after all, said
she in conclusion. ''You have three hun
dred dollars in the bank-I have nearly
two hundred. Well, if my Reginald will
lend me his treasure, shall take that little
store Mrs. Robinson waits to let open a
miliner's store, and you may look IN the
meantime, for something to do"
And she smoothed my rufied brow with
a kiss.
It was agreed. And 1 thought then, as
think now, how wretched, how forlorn is
the condition of him who hath no living
woman for counselor in the dark hour of
trial
I went the next morning cheerfully to
my duty. The superintendent spoke to
me as if nothing had happened. even
thought he felt sorry for words spoken in
anger. 1 certainly had no ill-will toward
him, yet considered that to respect our
own dignity as men was perfectly reconcile
able with our duty as Christians. 1 there
fore spoke to him respectfully, but without
cringing.
The thirtieth of the month, my last day
on the road, came. We reached our depot
at the usual hour. It was dark, and, after
the passengers had landed, I took up a
lantern to look for memorandum-book l
had left in one of the cars.
On going through the first car, struck
something soft with my foot. I looked
down, and Lifted up large wallet. 1 opened
tit was full of bank-notes God forgive
me 1 looked turtively around to see if
anybody saw me!
Hastily as counted the contents, was
sure there could be no less than four thou
sand dollars-but nothing to denote the
owner
do not think have ever been a wicked
man, yet do believe that, had found this
money ere l became q Christian, all the
principles of morality, chivalry, and that
brilliant bauble, honor, would not have
forced it out of my grasp; for it is aston
ishing how full of sophistry are the mere
moral doctrines-with what ease men of
honor, who win shoot you from a respecta-
bic, gentlemanly distance of twelve PAGES.
are apt to forget their tailor's or washer
woman's bill
Now, with the exception of the moments
wicked thought alluded to, I did not hesi-
tate. 1 rushed into the nearest hotel,
where expected strangers from our train
the most likely to stop.
''Any of you gentlemen lost anything Z"
said /, as entered the bar-room.
Twenty hands were in an instant thrust
into as many pockets; but of these only
one was found empty. This pocket be-
longed to a muscular, athletic, bearded
man, with massive forehead and fiery
eye.
He looked at me for a moment with an
air OF astonishmsnt, smile playing on his
beautifully chiseled mouth.
''Why, young man." said he, 81 have
lost trihe of between four and five thou
sand dollars. What then?" handed him
the wallet
He gazed at me steadfastly, rubbed his
eyes, and murmured, as if to himself:
'fYes, it must be he"
There was short silence, which to me
became embarrassing; and, fearing to stay
longer lest it should be suspected of wait
ing for reward, bowed and left the
room.
The stranger followed me.
81 have seen you before" said he.
"Where did we meet? Do you not remem-
Der having ever seen me?"
''Not to my recollection, was my reply.
''What is your RameP
"Augustus Reginald"
1 dropped entirely my family surname
with the full consent of my wife.
Reginald Whist 2" inquired my interlo-
cutor, with visible agitation. 'EYou have
another name. For Gods sake, do not tri-
fe with my feelings"
told him.
He grasped my hand-tears started to his
eyes, He made a gesture as if about to
speak. Then, perceiving that group had
gathered around us, he checked himself
only desiring the waiter to show us to a
pri ate parior, whittier he led the way, de-
string l. Q to follow.
As soon as we were left alone, my strange
new acquaintance, after giving me another
long stare, inquired:
"Are you the son of the late John William
B, of New York;"
81 am"
''Have you a sister"
'1 had one; but have not heard of her for
many years, nor do know whether she is
dead or alive
sShe married beneath her station in So
ciety," said the stranger, with a slight
irony in his Toice-"did she notT
"f was told so, replied !, scarcely able
10 suppress laugh, as / looked upon the
word Conductor" on my cap. "But, sir,
[ added, sat would not beseem me to
make this charge against her.
''There is pride of humiliation with
vengeance" answered my companion !