Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-12-14

times short
"Dut my-my Lusbaud has my ticket |
faltered. +" lie was left at B. station, yoa
know y
BEG pardon, mum. but or orders are
strict That sort of dodge has played out en-
tirely on this line Two-ibirty, mum, if yon
please. Will refund at the ciiice. when ticket
is presented"
The man suspected me- actually suspected
xE-Fred's wife Oh, dear, dear How utter
ly lonely and unprotected | felt, after the
strong trust and sweet reliance that had boen
mine
"I-I haven't any money" | said in faiut
voice. You'll have to put nc GU, somewhere,
suppose" added, with despairing resigne-
ton.
ALLOW me, madam the molstache gen.
tleman was up, pocket-book in hand" let
me arrange this matter for you until we reach
Philadelphia. Your husband can settle is
with me afterwards" he said, giving me his
card with a smile.
III hadn't been married, should have fall
en- in love with that delightful man on the
spot. As it was, I only murmured some un-
ineligible thanks, and slipped bis card into
my pocket as a memento of modern knight
We were to have stopped all night in Phila-
delpha AS the train neared the city new
perplexity seized upon me. Where could |
90 If it were daylight, might remain in tho
ladies' waiting-room, but Fred would not ar
rive until nearly ten at night. / had no
money to pay hackman, go to hotel, or ev-
cn get my supper.
A sudden thought flashed into my Mind
Aunt Tabby lived in Philadelphia had di-
rected letter to her, only few weeks before,
announcing my approaching marriage. True,
the reply was very discouragng-beng dis
mally prophetic Of all sorts Of evils that await
ed me, aud darky suggestive Of the snarcs and
pitfalls in that broad road that leads to matri
mony aud destruction.
But Aunt Tabby took Vincgary view Of
everything She never had EEL. the melowing
Of hon ymocn.
We arrived at the depot; my moustaclo
friend bad left the car some time before, so |
was unprotected again. An army Of hack
man bcsieged the door Of the depot, aad inn
mediately became the subject OF a struggle
Oaths and whips resouuded about my ears,
until was finally seized Upon and carried off
by redheaded Irishman, whose success arose
no doubt, from bis national procliyity from
anything resembling fight.
Having secured me in a very dirty vehicle,
he regarded me with triumphant grin.
"If You will get my trunk now, please" |
suggested
"Your trunk, is i'll Where's the bit of
tin 2"
"The-what?' asked in perplexity.
"Tho tin-the biz Of tin, to be sure How
am % get it without the tia ?"
My check had forgotten that. Fred bad
the check also Alas for the poworlessncss
Of woman | saw my new Saratoga, filed
with the danties Of trousseaus, bundled up
with a load of hotel baggage, and couldn't
raise finger to claim il. IL was the last
straw on the camels back, and drove IN tears
to Aunt Tabby's, using my tissue veil as a
pocket handkerchief, and thereby unconscious.
ly tattooing my face with strcaks Of blue
! Even Aunt Tabby's monumental rigidily
was overcome by my appearance, when sho
met me at her immaculate doorstep.
"Lelt you and only married three days
Pay that hackmaD, Mary, aud send bin OF
before he sees any more Of thisiamily disgraccl
Only three days. The Lord have mercy on u,l
! That should have lived to see brother Hem
ry's child brought to this. Taken all your
money and clothes too Well well its
nothing more or Tess than expected. Only
an accident don't talk to me Of accidents If
you ever lay your eyes on that man again, my.
name is not Tabitba Tinstitch The mean
! spirited scouDdrel to leave you without rag
to your back You poor deludei innocent !
Wv oh tHc hctiici Hi"iy "iNSf "NN huiiJ UP
the tea this poor child is trembling Ike a
leaf, aud well she mayl'
"Oh and amt il dreadful mum p heard
the sympathetic Mary Jane nurmur, aside 10
her mistress such a sweet young creeter as
she be And only look at her face expect
he's been banging Of her.
Aunt Tabby pursed up her mouth, and
shook her head expressiyely.
bet this be warning to you. Mary
Jane"
"Ob, I'm sure il viii mum, was the feeling
reply. She'll never lay eyes on him again. =
replied Aunt Tabby, soemnly. "xEvEE
Lord bless my soul Who's that? 2"
There was a knock at the door that fairly
shook the prim little house.
Is my wife herc?" asked qnick anxious
voice, and the mex. moment FTeds wife vas
there, clasped in the strong brave arms--cry-
ing and laughing together on the broal low
ing breast.
How did you ge; heTc 50 soon ? Hor dill
you iud mc' Oh, Fred, Fred have keen 50
/ frightened, and miserablep
Fred's answer was shower Of kisses.
How did come? In coal car There