Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-05-03

| -
"sloped."
I was confident that he had taken the
train West, which started out about fftee1
minutes from the time he had received thu
money at the bank He had played tot
sharp game to prove novice at getting
out of the trap after be had taken the bait.
| Another train was to start out in an hour,
and purchasing ticket through to Omaha
| made the best use Of my time in getting
ready for the trip and making some need.
full inquiries. To the landlord am indebt-
ed for minute description of the mans
person. @
He was about FIVE feet eight inches in
height, and thick set, though his loose gar
ments rather added to that effect; his hair
and beard were jet black; and what was
unusual for person Of so dark complexion,
his eyes were a pale grayish- blue at the
extreme corner Of his, left eye was small
4 red scar, and. on the back Of bis hand. a
large hairy mole. ss3 ii
When the Western train started out, you
might have seen greenish-looking country
man, In farmers dress, with big, light
colored overcoat, red neck shawl and drab
| felt hat, with a cotton umbrella in one hand.
and valise in the other, waving an adieu
to Knox, who stood on the platform. Had
you taken the trouble to examine card at
tached to the handle of the aforesaid valse,
you would have seen, IN an awkward,
cramped hand, the euphonious title, 'sJosii-
alb Strbbins. HIS Tazise." I presume it
is needless to mention that this Individual
was myself
As matter Of course. I was rather
moving planet. followed the conductor
through the train, innocently scrutinizing
the occupants of each car as l passed along
When we stopped which was only at i'm
portant stations as was on lightning ex-
press-I managed to see what new passen.
gers came on.
Right in front of me sat most artistically
gotten-up model Of the present fashionable
woman. Heavy rings ,'orned her ungloved
fingers, and a good many lengths Of gold
caain were fastened at her throat and belt,
supporting cluster Of glittering "charms"
upon her breast [ have no faculty for de-
scribing the mysterious details of woman's
costume, and can only say that this one,
from the dainty heel-taps of her ''No. 2"
CATERS to the exquisite pink of her deli
cately-rouged cheeks, was legibly written
over-''In the market ..''..-.''''.
saw her lip take contemptuous curl as
seated myself in her seat; but when the
news-boy, coming through the train with
popcorn, stopped for me to purchase, the
sight of a well filed pocket,book somewhat
altered her regards The next time I
caught her eye, she gave me seductive
smile, which [ returnd by sheepish grin,
timidly offering her part Of the corn which
l sat verdantly munching.
She honored me by acceptance, thanked
me sweetly, and, by way of opening con-
versation. asked '.if I knew how far it was
to the next station p gs
/ told her no, but hoped it was right
smart way, if she had to get off there.
She said she was going further than that,
and asked me how far was going.
Whereupon, | proceeded to tell her that
my name was Joseph Stebbins that my
dad got the biggest farm in Southern Indi-
amy, and raised more hogs than she could
shake stick at that I'd been up to Chicago
to fetch some pigs to market; had got their
spondulix in my wallat, and was going out
to Omaher, to see the fun aud to spree 1t a
little.
The strange lady said she was going to
Omaha, too, and was delighted to find SO
agreeable company.
Our conversation was here interrupted by
the stoppage Of the train at station. It
was now dusk, and the lamps were lighted
A solitary passenger came on, and got in
our car. His appearance, revealed by the
lamplight, might be aptly termed as ':stun-
ming"
He was of medium height, with broad
shoulders and taper waist. He was dress
ed in an elegant broadcloth suit, of the la
test cut; ''stove-pipe' hat on his head,
and slender cane i'll his hand while
profusion of snowy jewelry was distributed
about his person. He had pale complex.
ion, close cut auburn hair, shadow of
moustache. on his upper lip, and pale blue
eyes.
[ saw him glance hesitatipgly at the half
vacant seat Of my fair acquaintance before
he deposited himself gingerly on the one in
front; but she gave him no encouragement
She evidently supposed him, like the gener-
ality of his class, to be out OF pocket.
When the conductor came through, the
new passenger had no ticket; but, after dis
playing handful of coin. he pulled out
prodigious roll Of bank-notes from which to
pay his fare.
From that time, my Dulcinea had no
smiles for me. There commenced series
Of delicate map@uvres, which eliminated in
my gentleman coming back into my lady's
seat.
There their acquaintance progressed rap
idly. His arm, which at first rested res
pectfuliy upon the back Of the seat, slipped
protectingly around her unresisting waist
Both faces were close together, and their
murmured conversation was drowned by the
rattle Of the wheels.
But presently the tableau changed. Dis
engaging herself from the embracing arm,
the lady turned again to me.
II must tell you how fortunate I am, -
she said, with frank simplicity. II find
this gentleman is friend Of my friends,
and is going through to Omaha. Shall I
introduce him to you p
Taking consent for granted, she present.
ed her companion as:
"Mr. St. James," egHI
That gentleman gave me very patron
lzlng bow; protested to be quite at home
in Omaha, which he designated as tie place
Of residence Of certain cloven-footed gen.
tleman, at present unmentionable, and said
ne would be pleased to show me some sports,
as our fair friend had informed him that this
was my first visit
Of course signifed that all this would
be extremely gratifying to me, and appear