The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-06-24
MtSrellanp.
From "Our Magazine
LEW. 0LEA8ON'6 STORY.
BY CHALES CLINTON.


singular one to say the least of it. But there's
good deal of lore in it. if yon like that sort,
and dare say you will think there must have
been good deal to carry us through all the mis-.
up. that marked our acquaintance and court
ship. We were born to be married, l guess. or
else We never would have been to the end of
both our lives. But I'll just give you my stery
and let yoa come to your own conclusion in the
matter.
l was born-as and my intimate friends
thought-to be an old bachelor. NV descrip.
ton-sot to take up too much time in details
such az would have served a good mega.
tive Of those usually given in romances, and
have probably furnished to Victor Hugo new
idea. from which to construct another fictitious
parsonage, that should descend to posterity rs
the "ugliest nan oa record"
Now, say this of myself, remember and you
airs at liberty therefore to deduct much from
the coloring of the picture, as you are persuaded
Is tho result OF unlntentional fattery.
OF my prospects, 1 need only say that they
were good-for me. but were certainly not
promising enough to admit of any further in
cum brance than myself: even if hope in the
matter were ever so ardently entertained. l
lived, hawsver, aud was respected, and l really
believe that if it had not been for my consume
mate aw&wardness, l would have passed very
smoothly IN society, my physiognomy to the
contrary notwithstanding.
Well, to come directly to my story, Fred Ben.
nett and | were going out in the country for a
summer vac,tion, had crossed the ferry on an
early boat and were sitting comfortably in a
car, composedly waiting for the rush that would
soon be made for seats.
| had nestled down in a corner, drawn nv
hat down over my eyes, and assumed the air of
one who will not be moved, when Fred tapped
me on the shoulder with
"Lew, we'll have to give up this seat. The
cars are crowded now and here are II couple of
ladies. Isn't that first one pretty?'
| looked up and saw-well, it's of no use to
try to tell how pretty she did look, for can't
do 1t. All the dictionaries in the world couldn't
furnish words to express her beauty as it seemed
to me- tor there was something about her that
banished every idea of criticism, and made you
feel as it the world would be of very little con.
sequence to you if you could only possess her.
She moyed, with the crowd, down the pas.
sage way, vainly looking on either side for
seat, till che came near ours, and then stopped
because she could go no further OF course, two
places were Immediately vacant; and with the
sweetest emile and "thank you," this charmer
and her less fair companion glded into them
There may have been seats in the next car, but
it mattered little to us whether there were or
not. We were obliged to stand ON account of
these little beauties and were determined to
stand by them, on the strength of the excuse
that the aisle was some what crowded and we
could not conveniently move away.
BY the time the first station was reached
had so far recovered myself as to notice the rich
luxnriant ringlets that fell 10 beautifully over
her shoulders; and, partly for the reason that
felt like caresslng them, and partly because I
was tired. placed my hand On the back of the
scat. Or, if those golden curls would only
chance to stray over my fingers! I would not,
dared not touch them unless they did but, in
spite OF all my wishes and hopes, they danced
and rppled, more beautiful at every turn, Just
out of the reach of my wistful fingers.
She noticed my admiration believe fer she
looked at her companion with an arch smile,
and then moved to one side as if it was some.
thing Of an annoyance Immediately desisted
under pretext of hopping my face with my
handkerchief, and was just in the act of doing
40 when the cars swung sudden around curve,
threw me of my balance-and Just think OF it
| sat right down, first on the lap and then at the
f.et of this little beauty, making sad havoc with
whatever confectionery and other friable mate.
rins wero contained in the little reticulo upon
which l alighted.
Struggles, bushes. laughter, contortions and
very DISCOUNTED apologies followed in rapid and
lndescribab'e succession; and as soon as could
h"norahy do 80, made good time for the for
ward car in spite Of tho crowd, got a seat in it,
aud prepared to sit for the rest of the trip.
what my cogitations were Just then | never
have been able to recollect. Suffice it to saw
that thought loud enough to be heard by the
old gentleman in the same seat, who remarked
very testify that if l did detest curls, needn't
be 40 plagued cross about it,
Fred joined me after while, and we travelled
the rest OF the way without incident and to.
"nds the close of the journey began to be re.
assured at the possibility of never meeting the
i'dy again. When We got out at the depot
oreathsd more freely, and when the train rolled
on-bearng away as l thought-the unfortu.
nate, curly headed fairy, gave expression to
my relief in good long breath.
In due season We arrived at our destination,
which was the comfortable as well as the hlsto.
rical residence OF my uncle: aud for about
week enjoyed ourselves to the fullest extent,
forgetful alike Of curls, reticules, business AM
everything else that had occupied our minds for
the last season. Fred with his genial good hu.
NOR made lively companion for my domesti.
Gated cousins, and | made myself useful AS occa.
sion suited
But sunshine is always followed by u storm
aud already was one fermen.ing over my uncon-
,cious head. 1t burst in a most unexpected
manner.
had been working out all day, in rig that
suited my occupation and feeling little tired,
had laid down on the rustic" in the front ward,
and was mapping beautifully. Presently heard
Freds voice in the parlor, and suddenly remem.
eriug that had something good to tell him
started of, never dreaming of company till
Wa. in the very midst of it, and cisa.eis to none
other than the railway beauty.
"Miss Warren-Mr. Gleason" said nv cousin
/ am conscious of having made an awkward
bow and mutterins something about "happy"
~