Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-01-10
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Getting into the Wrong Carriage.

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the cheerless wind-swept platform, and the
females huddled around the stove or endeav.
ored to peep through the dirty depot window.
Conspicuous among these might have been
seen the pretty face Of june Tracy. She was
young, anxious, and unaccustomed to travel.
ing alone but having received an invitation
from an old bachelor uncle aud maiden aunt
Who lived in luxurious selfshness alone had
after much urging upon the part Of her moth.
or (who had already had visions Of June be.
ing heir TO their vast wealthy consented to
make the visit. The letter giving the invita-.
ton contained minute directions how she was
to reach the city; and informed her that
carriage would be in waiting at the New York
side of the ferry on a specified evening un-
less they were notified to the contrary.
June had early and always impressed upon
her the prmness and propriety Of Aunt Pru-
denco Griswald, who was fifty and unmar.
ried and the vast wealth and parsimony of
Uncle Nathan, and sat with many forebodings
Of discomfort watching for the train, and was
half tempted to let it 60 on without her,
when it at last dashed up to the platform.
The cry Of " oil aboard" decided the matter,
aud she followed the rushing throug, found
herself hustled into a seat with scarcely any
volition upon her part, aud was whirle1 rap.
idly away toward her unknown, and dreadful
relations.
A long and weary ride brought her to the
depot, and as she was preparing to leave the
cars, mothery old lady advised her to muf.
file up her ears or she would certainly
freeze them in that little senseless hat" She
smiled in reply, but wound a soft, white wool
cloud about her head so as to leave nothing
visible bat pair Of bright eyes, the tip of a
pretty nose, aud red, ripe lips, and followed
with palpitating heart through the noise and
confusion, and Stunned the vulgar gaze Of
the men, glad indeed, when the stormy river
was passed.
A young lady here for the Griswald car
riage ~ shouted man so near her ears as to
almost deaien her
Yes am the one" she faltered in re-
ply feeling as if she had suddenly found a
friend amidst the Bedlam of jostling, fight
ing and importuning.
This way, if you please, Miss"
| In a moment she was led through the
crowd, seated upon the soft cushions of an ell
egant carriage, and was being driven rapidly
through the brilliantly lighted street, half
dazzled by the unaccustomed glitter and splen-
dor.
At length it stopped before brown stone
front, the door was opened, servant assisted
her to alight, she walked up the broad steps
aud instantly was clasped in the arms of a
gentleman, who rained warm kisses upon her
lips gave her a thousand welcomes, called her
pet names, impetuously lifted her in his strong
arms, carried her into the cosy reception
room, placed her in an arm chair before o
blazing anthracite fire, aud began to relieve
her Of the cumbersome wrappings. Mar
fashion he tore off the cloud, and loosening
the fastenings of her hair caused it to fall il
mass of lovely golden rpples over hei
shoulders.
What the devil {" he exclaimed, starting
and crushing the jaunty little hat in his handl
then gazing speechless at the beautiful CIR
who sat completely stupefed by the unexpec
ted warmth Of her reception, and wonderin.
where was her curmudgeon of an uncle sh,
had expected to see-woudering see If it coulC
possibly be he, and venturing to call hin
Uncle Nathan, asked for Aunt Prudence.
Uncle Nathan? Aunt Pru-the deuce
There is some mistake here. | know Of n,
such persons you Named "
a" Not know them2 Is not this thei
house p she asked, looking anxiousy around
"lt certainly is not. Until | so rudcy re
moved your wrappings-for which beg you
pardon-l thought it was my sister Evi
whom ! am expecting home from boarding
school. The mistake was q natural one undel
the circumstances
Is not this the house of Nathan Girls
wald p she asked again. rising tremblingly
and with face blanched even to her lips.
"No, Miss. My name is Buswell, and ]
am master here"
1t flashed upon her in an instant that the
somewhat similarity of names had caused her
to make the mistake, aud glancing up at tho
dark, handsome face of him whose kisses were
still burning upon her lips, her own became
scarlet, and covering her face with her pretty
white hands, she sank back in the chair and
burst into tears
Fred Buswel puckered up his mouth and
vent through the motions of an imaginary
whistle. " Poor thing !" he thought. " BY
Jove but she is handsome it is no wonder
she became frightened to receive such bear
embraces from an entire stranger when she
expected to have been cooly welcomed by
some antiquated uncle" But he could not
endure the torture Of a lovely woman's tears,
aud so clearing his throat, said aloud
" Do not be alarmed, Miss regret as
much as you possibly can that | was so hasty
in my conclusions ~ The wretch when be
was luxuriating upon the kisses he had stolen,
and was longing for more,
Up famed the color between the delicate
white fingers, and the tears fell even faster
than before. He saw that he was making
matters worse, and with a mental and not
very refined expletive, he stopped short, walk
ed to the other side Of the room, rang the bell
and directed the carriage to be instantly sent
back to the depot to see if Miss Eva was not
waiting there. Then he resumed his place
upon the hearth-rug Resting his elbow upon
the mantle, he continued
entreat you, Miss, not to feel so badly
over a slight mistake, and one to which any
one was liable. 1t is more laughable than
otherwise. As soon as the carriage returns |
will see that you are taken safely to your
friends"
thank you, sir" she replied, slowly re.
moving her hands aud wiping away the tears,
but if you do not know who they are, how
shall be able to find them know only
that my uncle's name is Nathan Grswald,
and that he lives in University place His
carriage was to meet me at the depot, and |
understood the coachman to say Griswald,
but he was so mufled and in such q hurry,
that had no time to question"
A vigorous tingling of the door-bell, and
be excused himself for moment and stepped
into the hall to meet his sister. Poor June
could hear their yoces--thc sister playfully
scolding because she had been so long kept
waiting in the horrid depot, until she was al
most frozen, and then had to ride in lum-
bering old hack, aud closed by standing on
tiptoe and giving him sisterly kiss.
June could see through the halfopen door
and felt like guilty usurpor as the little lady
continued to pour forth her complaints.
Why, Fred, you amt bit glad to see
me. | expected to be hugged and kissed out