Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-05-14
Left Behind.
AN INCIDENT OF OUR HONEYMOON.

> delightful thing for bridegroom to con-
fess, but | begin to feel quite sharp after
our early dinner. If you don't mind my
leaving you for five minutes"
[ signifed that an absence of that du-
ration might be supported, and Fred
started for the retreshment room.
We had been married just three days,
and the glamour of the honeymoon was
upon everything; the atmosphere was rar-
fled beyond that breathed by everyday
mortas the earth glorifed with new
light. We ate not bread and beef steak.
but some ambrosial dish untasted before,
and drank nectar etheralized from hotel
cofee-pots.
watched Fred from the car window
until he disappeared in the refreshment
room. What a splendid fellow be was
Such eyes-such mind-such teeth, such
a heart-such a general combination of
perfections How charming-how delig ght-
altogether inexpressible it was to
belong to him forever, never separated
more when whiz clang! Horrors The
train was off, with Fred still discussing
boned turkey in the eating saloon, and his
faithful wife hopelessly quiescent in the
ladies' car-of, laundering at the rate of
thirty miles an hour, separating those
whom law and Gospel both declared only
death should part.
What's the matter, mum?" asked the
conductor, noticing my excitement.
There-there's a gentleman left be-
hind" | gasped,
Is there, mum ?'' was the stoical reply.
" Bless your soul that's nothing new"
But-but, he's my husband" falter-
ed, blushing to my finger tips, as [ felt
that fact was something new.
Three ladies turned to stare at me, and
there was an unmistakable litter beneath
the heavy moustache Of a gentleman oppo-
site.
Sorry, mum, but it can't be helped. IF
gents will stop at bar rooms to wet their
whistles, we can't wait for EN-"
A bar room Fred in bar room, wet
ting his whistle! What did the odious man
mean? | tried to crush him with look,
but [ wasnt equal to it. Fred-MY Fred,
in a bar room
" You needn't be alarmed" said an old
gentleman, kindly; there will be another
accommodation at eight"
AT eight :" and it was now just half
past four. | sunk back upon the cushion In
quiet desperation. What was to become
of me?
With the entire abnegation peculiar to
the early phases of the honeymoon, had
put my little velvet portemonnaie, hand
kerchief and vinaigrette in Fred's breast
pocket-not that | hadn't pocket of my
own, but there was such delightful nov.
city in feeling that now had right to
his.
Was there ever a conhding bride left in
such plight? Without a husband, and
without cent, and-not the least mistor-
tune to one inclined to the feminine weak
ness of tears-without even a pocket
handkerchief.
Ticket, num-
The conductor was again making hi:
rounds.
IL haven't any ticket" l stammered
in bewilderment.
Two-thirty, then, if you please, mum,
as far as Philadelphia"
Ticket, sir"
"TwO-thirty, as quick as you can, mum;
times short"
But my-my husband has my ticket,
l faItered. He was left at B. station,
you know"
Beg pardon, mum, but our orders are
strict. That sort of dodge has played out
on this line entirely. Two-thirty, mum, il
you please, Will refund at the office
when ticket is presented"
The man suspected me, actually suspect
ed me-Fred's wife o, dear. dear, how
utterly lonely and unprotected felt, after
the strong trust and sweet reliance that
had been mine.
ii haven't any money" [ said, in a
faint voice. You'll have to put me out
out somewhere, L suppose" | added, with
determined resignation.
"Allow me, madam"-the moustacheC
gentleman was up, pocket-book in hand
we reach Philadelphia. Your husband
can settle with me afterwards" he said
giving me his card, with a smile.
If hadn't been married | should have
fallen in love with that delightful man OF
the spot. As it was, murmured som
unintelligible thanks, and slipped his carr
into my pocket as memento of a moderl
knight.
We were to have stopped all night in
Philadelphia. As the train neared tn
city a new perplexity seized upon me
Where could L GO? If it were daylight
might remain in the ladies' waiting room
but Fred could not arrive until nearly tel
at night. | had no money to pay hack
man, 90 to hotel, or even get my supper
A sudden thought flashed into my mind
Aunt Tabby lived in Philadelphia. ha'
directed letter to her only few week
before, announcing my approachin
marriage True, the reply was very dis
couraging, being prophetic of all sorts c
evils that awaited me, and suggestive G
the snares and pitfalls in that broad roa
that leads to matrimony and destruction.
But aunt Tabby took vinegar view
everything. She never had felt the me
lowing influence of a honeymoon.
We arrived at the depot. My moustach
ed friend had left the car some time, SO
was unprotected again. An army
hackmen besieged the door Of the depot
and [ Immediately be zane the subject of
struggle Oaths and whips resounde
about my ears until l was finally seize
upon and carried off by the most energetl
Of the party.
Having secured me in very dirty We
hicle, he regarded with grin.
"If YOU will get my trunk now, please.
suggested.
Your trunk, is it p? Where's the bit
TIM"
The what ?" 1 asked, in perplexity:
The tin; the bit of tin, to be sure. Ho