Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-02-16

MATCHMAKING.
BY AUTHOR E. GLEASON.

If there was one art that Edgar Stick
ney prided himself on more than anoth-
er, it was that of angling. Bat his
knowledge of this sport was mostly theoret,
ical, for he lived III the city at least ten
months of the year and was busy in at
tending to the misee llaneous department
of large book establishment.
When allowed a vacation, away he
sped to country scenes, to cast his line
i'll mountaia brooks for spotted trout or
other Inhabitants of similar watering pla-
ces.
From the above statement, you may
we'll imagine the pleasure Of the hero oil
this sketch experiences as he found on
his desk, zone morning, an Invitation
from an aunt, who lived near brooks
where funny beauties were abundant, to
spend few weeks at her home.
Aunt Eunice knows my weak point,
he said 10 himself, and this invitation
is very opportune. | will accept at
once
a few days later the express train car
rled one passenger, at least, from the
city S noise to the cool autumn air of the
country. whose mind was flied with an
ticipauons of psca topial triumphs, and
whose eyes rested on the pages of Isaac
Walton 5 in teresting works on angling.
The iron horse sped rapidly over the
course, but it WAS long distance to
hnsdale, aud Edgar Stickney was tired
OF riding and reading, when his railroad
check showed that fifty miles must yet be
travelled
The train at this time stopped at a
small station /; the usual noise ensued ;
some passengers left, and Others took
their places; and away they started
again.
One of the passengers from the last
station took seat Immediately in front
OF Edgar, and ii thoughts OF trout, perch,
pike or pickercl #ere banished, as he
caught sight of tie deepest Blue eyes, the
rosIest checks, the most charming figure,
he thought he ever met.
These thoughts we're not the enthusiast
tic out bursts of a sentimental young
man, for Edgar StoGney was twenty-sx
years ofage, and counted among his city
and country acquaintances many beautiful
and accomplished young ladies'.
/ But there was something peculiarly at
tractive, something stfikingly beautiful,
in the young lady in question
She appeared to be alone, AMI some
what unacquainted with the route, for
she looked anxiously about at each sta
ton when the train stopped and at last
turning to Edgar, aud asked, while
betraylng some degree of concern, # the
train would stop at Mossybank.
No, miss. replied Edgar, glad of an
opportunity to hear her pleasant voice,
and also to be able to be of service to
her. This is the express train, and will
not stop until it reaches Waterford, six
miles beyond Messy bank. !.
That is too bad. was the reply, with
a slight pout on her ruby lips.
Can, | serve you in any way p asked
Edgar, III his courteous and gallant man
ner,
Think you I don't know that you
can, unless you can stop the train at
Mossybank, for me, was the reply, while
a roguish twinkle of her blue eye seemed
to say, 1 don't expect you can do that.
That, presume would be impossitl e,
but | will see the conductor aud ascertain
what can be done answered Edgar.
He would not listen to his fair fellow
passengers circumstances, but FASTENED
through the long train Of cars to find the
conductor-a very digni6cd functionary--
who listened to the young mans appeal
with stony in Inference, and absolutely
refused to stop the train for, as he said