Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1870-12-28
WAITING.
A TALE OF CHICAGO.


THE good steamer Empire lay swing
ing uneasily at her mOOrings in the Chi
eagO River, on a bright August morning
in l84S. Railways had not then wrested
travel from the lakes, and the best route
from the Northwest to New York was
the roundabout way by Maekinaw and
Buffalo. The old block house of Fort
Dearborn was still stading. The streets
of the embryo city were innocentof Mac
adam or Nicholson; indeed, the streets
of to-day were not at all, for the Chicago
of the day has been buried six feet out
of sight. The old Lake House was a
prince among hotels. A glaring white
two story frame reioiced in the Boston
ian name of fremont on the same cor
ner where its namesake now rears its
colossal proportions, while where the
Sherman now stands, a bloWsy red
brick Haunted the same name in preten-
tious gilt letters on its staring sides. Nc
Vieker's and the 'CrOsby's' were in the
undreamed-of-future, but the since May
OF was then the proprietor of a Thespian
temple where Charles Dibbie Pitt and
Mrs. Jones, and other histrionic celebri-
ties of that day and generation delight
ed the unambitious deniZens 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 lake.
There was a summer pleasure party, full
of merry jest and meTrier laughter self
absorbed-heedles of all the hurry, and
anxiety and care about them. The mer-
chant from some interior town, Jour
neying to New York to purchase mer-
Echandise, clutehed his valise closely,
IL ar,-r a
and anxious lest some abandoned
wretch should steal his trunk or pick his
nockets. walked sOlemnly into the
grand saloon All social grades SEEM
| ed to be represented, from the self-pOs-
| sesseds travelled man Of the world, to
the wfde-eyed pumpkin from the remote
Treading his way daintiIy through the
| throng, came a geetleman with strongly
marked and not altogether pleasant,
| though handsome and smiling features,
with faultless outfit and air of most i'm
purturable dpJon15. A plainly dressed
and quite pretty woman learned nerv-
ously on his arm, and half alfaccompanied,
| half followed him. Her eyes bore traces
of recent weeping, and her face wore
the hals-puzzIed, haIf-penitent expires
sion of one in strong doubt whether the
present action be criminal or innocent.
Stepping from the wharf to the boat, she
| seemed to hesitate moment; but heI
COMPANION ignored any such suspicion
if he entertained 1t, and, moving rapid.
Iy and confidently forward, led her into
the saloon. Here he seated her with
lceremonious politeness, and telling hel
that she need do nothing but wait until
he attended to the baggage and secured
lher state room, he turned away, but af'
ter step or two, returned, and with an
appearance of respectful concern, said
1T would be well, Mrs. Barnes, if you
would drop your veil. 1t would save
you from impertinent staring, and per
haps from annoying questions.
She half rose, as if to follow him, bu
Immediately resumed her seat, murmur
ing, Perhaps he's right-perhaps he's
RIGHT she drew her veil closely Ovel
her face, and settled herself back intC
the luxurious sofa with an uneasy sigh
Her companion hurried out to th'
street, and glanced up and down. Pres
entity baggage wagon drove up, from
which the driver lifted to large trunks
copspicuously lettered Mrs NJ. E
Barnes and carried them on board thr
steamer. Then, approaching the gen
tIeman we have remarked, he said, will
knowing grin: ,,
iThere, Mr.. Jeremy, Pve brough
them 'ere trunks in good time, and
shall have two dollars, for I've hau
drive fast, l tell yOu,'