The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-05-18
II o B A Nd FANNY.
A Railway Adventure.

"Perhaps this gentleman-I am al
most sure it is his. Ask him, Bob-do.'
The words, earnest and excited, were
uttered in voice so sweet and musical,
that, involuntarily, turned my head to
get glimpse of the speaker.
She was behind me, upon the railway
platform, at c., where we had been
temporarily detained, waiting to take
our places in an incoming train. She
was a neatly dressed, modest looking
woman, quite pretty, and evidently not
more than twenty years of age. She
leaned upon the arm of a man some four
or five years her senior, as open-counte-
nanced and prepossessing in appearance
as herself A newly-married couple, l
set them down at once, on their bridal
tour, perhaps. The gentleman held in
his hand an open pocketbook, which he
had apparently just picked up from the
platform at his feet, and which saw to
contain, even with the cursory glance l
cast upon it, a number OF bills, some of
large denomination.
He glanced from it to me, as turned
at the young lady's words, seeming de-
sirous, yet doubtful of the prudence of
making known his discovery; and COM
pretending his dilemma, set his mind
at rest at once.
eff you are seeking an owner for an
article just found, you must look fur
ther sir; have lost nothing"
He looked around with an expression
of vexed admiration.
"What shall do with the thing? 1t
evidently contains large amount of
money, though have not as yet exam
ined it thoroughly. do not want to
take it with me, and yet 1 cannot spare
the time to hunt up an owner for it );
besides, am afraid ii l were to proceed
hurriedly or incautiously in the matter,
some swindler might get it from me, in
spite of myself. Stop know what l
can do" he continued, briskly, after a
momentary pause " l will run back to
the ticket office, and leave it in charge
of the clerk. can take his receipt for
it, you know, to make sure that he con-
ducts the thing squarely. 1t is pretty
sure to be inquired for there, or, if not,
it will be advertised, and he can attend
to the business, and pocket the reward
for his trouble. Fanny, dear, would you
mind my leaving you one momentt"
She looked as if she should mind it
very much, as she glanced timidly
around at the noisy crowd who sur
rounded her; and he, too, after he had
spoken, seemed reluctant to leave her
without protector. Upon the strength
of my grizzled beard and fifty years,
took the liberty of again addressing
them.
"If you will trust the lady to my pro-
lection, shall be happy to take charge
of har until x,o,,r raf,,rn
She looked up at first little doubt
fully, but her face frightened as she
caught my eye; with childlike quick
ness of perception she seemed to have
formed her estimate of my character at
single glance"
"Thank you, sir" she said, simply;
"that will do nicely. Run, then, Bob,
and hurry back as soon as you can"
She took my proffered arm with mod
est confidence, and the gentleman SEEM
ing equally well satisfied with the ar
rangement, hurried away, and was left
with my pretty charge, feeling not
little tattered at the confidence which
my appearance had evidently inspired.
l addressed few remarks upon gene
raj topics to the lady, who responded
frankly, though timidly. to my attempts
at sociability. One remark led to an
other, and soon we were chatting to-
gether quite freely and unreservedly.
As had surmised, she was bride-had
been married Just month, and was now
returning from her wedding-tour to her
home, in Baltimore.
Upon informing her that L had a
daughter, about the same age as herself,
also recently married, she seemed to
consider the coincidence quite remark
able one, and could not but be amused
at the eagerness with which she ques-
toned me concerning the age, appear
ance, disposition-even the toilet of the
bride. On my part, was ready enough
to discuss the subject. The wedding had
been of such recent occurrence that it
was still fresh In my mind, and loved
too well to talk about Hattie, and all
belonging to her, not to enjoy the chat
as much as my fair companion seemed
to do.
Thus it chanced that we were in the
midst of what was to both of us a very
interesting conversation, when Bob"
returned and "quite regretfully," as 1
laughingly assured her, was obliged to
relinquish my charge to her natural pro-
teUtor.
The acquaintance thus commenced,
naturally did not terminate here; we
were still detained some minutes longer
upon the platform, and so long as we
stood together, the conversation contin-
ued, becoming, of course, more general
by the Intervention of third party.