Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-11-15
The Leisure Hour.
TIE O.vH-EI'ED CO.vDUCTOR.


Our wedding was very quiet one. There
was no money to spare on either side, and,
after a family breakfast, we went directly
to the cars and started for our future home.
l was young thing then-just eighteen
aud my dear Joe was only three years my
senior; two shy, happy, foolish children
we were, it seems TO me now, as / look
back upon that day so many years ago.
The very trip from Philadelphia to Harris
burg place as most people would
think it, was a wonderful event to me, who
had never taken longer than an hours
ride on the cars before in my life.
viewed, with eager, interested eyes, the
country through which we passed, and all
that was going on around me the passen-
gers, the car itself, with its fixtures, the
conductor and the brakemen were all OBJ
iects whose novelty gave me thoughts, in
those days, that were very apt to evince
themselves in eager, unreserved chatter.
We thought we were conducting our
selves with all possible ease and dignity;
yet do suppose now there was not an in
dividual who looked us that did not guess
at glance our recently assumed relation
ship. am sure that the conductor did.
He was fine, por.ly looking man, with
genial brown whskered face aud bushy
hair; he would have been a really hand
some man had it not been for the loss of
one eye; it had been lost by disease-the
exterior of the eye, save that it was express
sionless and sunken, retaining its original
appearance. The remaining eye was bright
and blue, as jolly and sparkling as the rest
of his pleasant, good-humored face.
As he came to collect our fare Joe handed
him bill.
"For yourself and wife, | suppose, sir?"
he asked with a smile.
Joe turned very red, and bowed digni-
fed assent. As for mel confess it--I
turned my head and Uttered Very rdic-
ulous, was IT not?
The car had not been near full when we
started, but the people dropped in at the
various way stations, so that by the time
we reached Lancaster nearly every seat
was taken. We, at starting, had taken two
seats, turning one to face us, upon which
our various hand baggage was placed. At
Lancaster the cars stopped some time for
dinner; and just as they We're about to
start again. our conductor entered the car,
ushering in an old lady in Quaker garb,
beneath whose deep bonnet was visible
kind, plump, rosy face, with bright specta-
ces.
She glanced around on either side as she
advanced up the aisle ia search Of a seat
At a nudge from me, Joe rose, and beck
onlng to the conductor, said, "There is "A
seat for the lady here"
Smilingly the old lady approached.
commenced gathering up the shawls and
packages that lay upon the vacant seat, that
it might be turned to its proper position,
but the old lady checked me.
"Don't trouble yourself, friend | can
sit Just as well with the seat as it is - and
without further ceremony she ensconced
herself opposite me, while the one eyed
conductor deposited large covered band
box at her feet, and paid her so many little
attentions, at the same time addressing her
in so familiar and afiectionate manner.
that / saw at once she was no stranger TO
him.
A glance at the kind old face opposite
soon told me they were mother and son,
for the two faces were wonderfully alike,
especially in the open, cheerful expesson.
My heart was drawn toward her at once
and, as the conductor moved on, could
not resist king some overtures toward
acquaintance by asking il she was quito
comfortable.
"Qute so. thank thee" she answered at
once, "but am afraid have dscommod-
ed thee somewhat"
"Not at all, assured her aud the ice