Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1871-01-05
MISCELLANEOUS.
ATLANTIC MAIL-FIRST-CLASS.

As naturally as steel needle flies to a
magnet so have | felt always ready to
hurry to the aid of lady In distress, |
do not say it vauntlngly, nor put II for
ward as a virtue, for the act has generally
been involuntary; and so it was one day
last year, when, having seen my small
quantity of personal luggage on board the
great screw liner lying at the wharf get
ting up her steam, ready for her race across
the Atlantic, was loafing about, watching
with considerable amusement the arrival
of passengers, for the most part excited,
worried, and the prey Of porters and cab
men, who seem TO be troubled with no
more perfections in Liverpool than In the
metropolis. A lighted cigar was between
nay lips, and ! was trying to enjoy it--for,
Judging from old experience of my sensa
tons in rough sea, | did not anticipate
much comfort for the next two or three
days at the least--when very ordinary
looking man, evidently commercial
traveller for cutting house, walked up
and asked me for light, staring at me the
while In so offensive manner that as /
handed my cigar, glanced down at his
left hand to see that 1t was not meddling
with my watch, chain.
Looks like commercial, but may be q
pick. pocket" | said--mentally, Of course
while he puffed at his Cignr, putting
mine out in the process.
"Going acrossy" he said abruptly, and
10 use m.hat would probably have been his
expression, taking stock of me the while.
"Sir?"
"Going across the pond HeIC9rg,s :" he
esid again, coolly, and noddng his head
toward the great steaming and snorting
vessel
MY cigar--tbaaks said in tone
meant to be perfectly Belgravian in its
hauteur, as | turned aside; for | had met
the appeal OF pair of dark eyos--a lady
Wv IN distress, and, between porters and
baggage, apparently perfectly bewildered.
Are you going on board Z" asked
Yes, oh yes said the owner of the
eyes, eagerly Are you connected with
the steamer, SIR"
"Er--no, not exactly | said, taken
somewhat aback; and felt disposed to
say, do | look as If | was w." Allow
me, though--these men"
Yes, yes said the lady; " they ask six
shillings for bringing my luggage from the
station. Is it correctYh
"Absurdi No. ] said 81 half a crown
is ample" And, espousing tive lady IS cause,
! dismissed the ravenous monsters who
prey upon the unprotected, and then sent
her lugrage on board the Hetc Ign, casting
more than once glance aside 20 see that
my new acquaintance was tall with hand.
some, well,marked features very ladylike,
and dressed in the first fashion.
Seems odd, / thought, travelling 9 a'iie s,
alone. Strong minded Homan fefLiaps'
But this lattss ihough ! = set aslae the
next moment Ias hei sisns tne
tr,,s3,,gsiook In her clark eyes and the an
ausasTs' .rsas She gave to nv entreaties that she
@cIld not be alarmed at the rushing water,
the uneasy motion of the steamer and the
pushing, excited crowd, were grateful in
the extems. | felt fattered and not at all
sorry ,hes such companion was TO share
my =, age.
Il yon would lead me TO the cabin
where | could see the stewardess,' she
said, and Immediately handed her TO the
saloon door, where she turned frankly 10
hold out well gloved though rather large
hand Il am indeed much obliged am
Obliged to travel alone; bur my husband
will meet me on landing at New York and
he will, krow, be extremely grateful for
your kindress."
The next,Qoment was standing alone,
confounding her husband, aad appealing
10 fate to know why another should have
trst seen aiid secured abua; The only wo-
man who seemed likely 10 form an agree
sh'e sharer OF my pilgrimage through hfs
Nice TO be young, smart-lpoking fel-
low" sail voice: and turning, there
stood the b&gman, putting away at his cigar,
and staring al me with all his might,
though, probably from business habit, he
was refe: dng from time to time to a pocket
hsssx k.a tx,N,, .,, I.ts. T.
know, | never make an impression like
mat on a lady. never find the sex ask
ing my protection, aud all that sort Of
thing Very nice, though. should think,
isn't IT."
He accompanied his last words with the
slightest approach to wink, and closing
the book he poked me with il in the side,
Hhen felt 80 tlHoyed that ang1ly turn
ea upon my heel aipl walked to the side,
"a'cning the arrival CT late passengers
%. 20 my. great disgust he followed me,
anu, needless OF Eiy frow ming looks, con.
timed his scfptiMy.
tiied very ha4l 10 get rid Of him, bat
snubbing was thrown sWay Apasrently
he could not understand that his conduct
was obtrusive; and at last, naSlne q y;r.
tue OF necessity, Isuffered hira, tsiiCI he lit
sraliy hooked himself on to ME
Gut All the same he seemed 10 have =
siirewd business eye; and while carefully
keeping close to ME he sefutinized all who
Game On eoard till the time for starting had
arrived. The cables were cast loose. the
screw reyplvea SLOWLY, then stopped, then
favolFea again, a1d the vessel began
grandls u move forward. tie passengers (
Navizs ths.f s2ieas az ihey clustered By
the side. Then once mcTe tie mxman !
/ starea ,nt fill In The face looked nndeci. !
|, sea, walked through the shrong on deck, I
sAtir she ss'lnrs way, stare,i in face after !,
Y. n 4 ios would who sought his mss
!. III