The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-01-17

" Emo, not exactly" | said taken
somewhat aback aud felt somewhat dis
posed to say, " DO look as if | was?"
-" Allow me, though-these men p
" Yes, yes said the lady; they ask
six shilings for bringing my luggsge from
the station. Is it correct p
Absurd! "No," | said; half a
crown is ample" And, espousing the la
dy's cause, | dismissed the ravenous mon
sters who prey upon the unprotected, and
then sent her luggage on board the Hrh
ceilyn, casting more than once a glance
aside to see that my new acquaintance
was tall, with handsome, well-marked
features, very ladyhke, and dressed in the
first fashion.
Seems odd" thought, travelling
quite alone. Strong-minded woman, per
haps."
But this latter thought was set aside
the next moment as | handed her along
the gang-way for there was quiet, ear
nest, trusting look in her dark eyes and
the answers she gave TO my eutreaties
that she would not be alarmed at the
rushing water, the uneasy motion of the
steamer, and the pushing, excited crowd,
were grateful in the extreme. | felt
flattered, and not at all sorry that such
companion was to share my voyage.
If you would lead me to the cabin
where | could see the stewardess," she
said, and | Immediately handed her to
the saloon door, where she turned frank
ly to hold out well,gloved though rath
er large hand, . am indeed much
obliged am obliged to travel alone
but my husband will meet me on landing
at New York and he will, | know, be
extremely grateful for your kindness"
"Thc next moment | was standing
alone, confounding her husband, and ap-
pesling to fate to know why another
should have first seen and secured about
the only woman who seemed likely to
form an agreeable sharer of my pilgrim
age through life.
Nice to be young, smart-lo0king
fellow" said a voice and, turning, there
stood the bagman, putting away at his
cigar, and staring at me with all his
might, though probably from business
habit, he was referring from time to time
to pocket-book he held in his hands
"Now, you know never make an i'm
preston like that on lady. | never
find the sex asking my protection, and all
that sort of thing. Very nice. though, /
should think, isn't it,"
lie accompanied his last words with
the slightest approach to wink, and clos
ing the book he poked me with it in the
side, when felt so annoyed that | angri-
y turned upon my heel and walked to
the side, watching the arrival Of late pas
sengers but to my great disgust he fol-
lowed me, and needless of of my trown-
ing looks, continued his scrutiny.
l tried very hard to get rid Of him,
but snubbing was thrown away Appar-
emily he could not understand that his
conduct was obtrusive; and at last,
making virtue of necessity, | suffered
him, and he literally hooked himself on
| to me.
But all the same he seemed no have
shrewd business eye; and while careful
ly keeping close TO me he scrutinized all
who came on board till the time of start
ing had arrived The cables were cast
loose, the screw revolved slowly, then
stopped, then revolved again, and the
vessel again began to move forward the
passengers waving their adieus as they
clustered by the side Then once more
the bagman stared me full in the face
looked undecided, walked through the
throng on deck, got in the sailors way
stared in face after face, as a dog who
sought his master, and then, in the same
undecided manner, returned to me, and
stopped by my side, as if about to speak /;
but directly after he checked himself
and drew out another cigar
How very soon the motion of the
vessel begins to affect YOU" he said, with
a smile
Affects you, you mean" | replied.
Yes, exactly. Curious, though, ain I
it. Seems as if nature never meant us
to leave the land of our fathers--the place
of our birth, as the song says, eh? Ever
been across before" Z"
Yes, twice" | said, sharply; and
then walked away, !or now, closely yelled
had seen the figure Of my lady friend
emerging from the saloon door; and up
on my going up and asking concerning
her welfare, she made no demur about
taking my arm and walking up and down
the deck.
! must confess that thought very lit.
tie of the scene around, though | kept
on the strength of old recolections
Dointinp ont the yarious familiar objects