The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-07-06
MiS(IlaneouS.
GOING AS A SUBSTITUTE.

"Every officer absent on leave, and the Colonel
don't zee how he can possibly dispense with my
valuable services even for day Confound his
politeness" -,
"Now them" quoth I, soothingly; "steady; OLD
fellow; it isn't worth while to excite yoursen IN
such very warm weather. Be calm
The Captain stamped his foot with despaifins
energy.
"Calm! It's very we'll for you bachelors to
talk about being calm but suppose you'd Just
got . telegraph from your wife that she was
coming on to Join you and requesting you to
meet her at Philadelphis-and suppose you
couldn't get leave of absence tor 60 much az an
houri TLsn. would you see where the calmness
came in? Poor, dear Mary! she has the little
ones with her. and she knows no more about
travelling than kitten. But I say, Harry"
"Well"
"Do be obliging for once-it would be such a
"What would?
"why, to go on and meet Mary and the little
chicks for me-"
Kentwood Dale put his hand on my shoulder
and looked implorlngly at me. 1 opened my
eyes deprecatingly.
"Do, Harry, you can't imagine the relief it
will be to me. I'd do as much for you-1 would,
indeed! Just consider what tight place 1t is
for q fellow to be in"
During all the twenty.three years OF my life
I never had acquired the useful art Of saying
"ns," and this Captain Dale knew full we'll 1t
was rather an embarrassing affair, this going to
meet another mans wife and babies but what
was to do? Kentwood begged so hard, and
the case did seem rather peculiar one.
'You'il 90, Hnrry3"
And l ans wered with an inward groan, "1'll
20, Kent to ohlige you"
Dale's face brightened-he clasped both my
hands warmly.
depend upon it, Harry, won't forget your
kindness very soon. I'll go and see about the
leave Of absence Immediately, while you get
ready. The six o'clock train will be in time /;
all you've got to do is to ask the conductor of
the Philadelphia train for lady and lildren
who came through from Boston alone.
"Poor Mary, she'll be half frightened out of
her senses in strange place by herself"
Aad Captain Dale hurried away, leaving mo
to cogtste on tho approaching pleasures OF
night journey on railroad.
had comfortably established myself on a
snugly cushioned seat, where the swinging lamp
would afford sufficient light to read the evening
paper. and Kentwood Dales beaming couute.
nance was thrust in through the window, by
way of goodbye.
"I'm SO much obliged to you, old fellow y he
reiterated. you'll tell Mary low it happened"
Gall right !" I responded. The whistle gave
it's unearthly yell--tbe cars trembled as if a
pulse of life were thrilling their iron links, and
We began to move ] was preparing to unfold
my newspaper, when all of q sudden it dropped
to the floor.
The prettiest creature ever saw Blue.eyed,
with sunny hair full of fleeting bronze lights,
and mouth like red plnm--a genuine blonde,
in trim travelling dress whose color 4 suppose
the milliners have some name or other for it)
but should call it the tint of purple smoke
wreath. took all these particulars in at one
glance, while she stood in the aisle apparently
awaiting the motions of stout young man who
was reconnoitering little in advance.
GAIL full Eva," he said Aespondingly. Then
perceiving the vacant spot by my side, his face
lighted
If this seat isn't engaged, sir my sister"
His sister What lucky fling she was not
ais wife L sprnng up with instan taneous pc.
likeness.
Certainly, sir-by all means!"
The stout young man wiped his forehead and
retreated to the smoking csr, much relieved.
Actually, tho heartless wretch seemed delighted
to get rid OF his travelling bags, but then broth.
ers never appreciate the perfections of sister.
How | wished had devoted a little more
time to my toilet before starting. 1 was pain.
fully conscious of my cravat being oarelessly
tied, and the top button being off my shirt
bosom, every time tho blue eyes were turned
timidly toward me- Hang the washerwoman at
camp! Did she pave her garden walks with
mother.of.pearl buttonsp And besides, was
oy no means certain that my moustache had
oeen properly waxed, or my hair parted straight
behind.
But forgot those dreadful misgivngs after a
while and edged gradually into conversation
with my blue.eyed nep hbor
What did we talk about? Why, Byron and
the war, crochet work and the sanitary commits.
sion, OF course What else do young people con.
verse on in these daysp And she told me of the
Asnnel wrappers she had made for the soldiers,
and related the particulars of the ono battle
had been concerned in, and we laughed, and
nRhed, and joked, and sentimentalzed together,
and. in short, became excellent friends.
"Phil.a-det.phy ." bswled the conductor, brc Ak.
ing rutslessly into the midst of a quotation that
lwas unsteady murmuring and started up az
If had been shot.
my destination" said, regretfully
can that careless Tom be ~
ALLOW me, quoth l, burdening myself with
MISS Evas multitudinous bags. Il will lust
take you to the waiting.room, where your broth.
Or will doubtless join you"
DIDN'T feel proud, just then, with the soft
Little hand on my sru. and tho slight figure
olinging up close to me ? should think so.
LETT her, unwilling enough, in the doorway
70 thu oheerfnly lighted ladies room and SOU Xii,
The officials.
us tho New York train ia r
Yea sir; just this minute rriv.d"
where's the conductor =
well, sir If youth wa, minute, he'll BE-
along.
STOOD back few seconds, watching the tired
looking travellers pour from 5ne cars in sleepy
coniuro"' Az length caught eipht Of the con.
duotor carrying crumped naoy in one h,nd,