Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-04-11
VOL. XIN

There was none to be seen. 1t would be
extreme y dangerous to attempt crossing to
another ear - did the next best thing.
d" Would not little brandy answer every
purpose - producing the article.
brief consultation between the ladies
resulted in few hurried thanks on the
part of the invalid and a homeopathic liba-
tion from my flask. Thus far everything
had passed off nicely, and | was much as
tOnished ut my success in the new role | had
attempted. There was such a satisfaction in
| it that made another effort.
- If the lady would be more comfortable
alone. ! will yacate this settee in your favor,
with pleasure
'' Oh, no, don't let me drive You from
your pleasant quarters, answered the girl
smiling; and then with Just little hesitan-
cy, '' If You will allow me, though, the half
already yacant-''
do not think she finished the sentence.
for was out in an instant, waiting for her
to pass in, with my heart performing some
novel antic between a futtcr and a thump.
OBTAINING me few seconds to conclude
some feminine preparations, she at length
approached, but-oh gricfl-with the baby
in her arms
Thereupon ensued an inward struggle.
Should ] escape while yet there was time
But whittier could | flee, that my purpose
would not be painfully apparent?
The sweet face again decided me- 1t
seemed the oracle that settled my knotty
questions, but settled them all one way.
'' This storm decidedly interferes with
rapid travel, So | remarked, when once more
| seated
Yes, indeed replied my companion.
- and it will be so tedious for any one who
comes to meet Us. That depot at New York
Is bad enough when one has to wait paltry
fifteen minutes what must il be to stay
there several hours 80
"a You are fortunate in having friends to
meet YOU. | can hardly imagine anything
more disheartening-for a lady, | mean
than TO land in large city ON a day like
this, with every one busy about her, and no
welcome in store until She reaches her final
destination"
d" Oh, l shouldn't mind it much for mv-
| self, ! am used To making my own way
about. and generally succeed very well. l
! sb8uld feel quite uneasy. though. about Sis
ter, for fear She is seriously ill.,
'' | wonder THAT She felt like risking 50
I q
toms of approaching illness"
" Our friends did everything they could TO
detain us; but the domestic We brought with
Us for Charles benefit decamped suddenly
last night in fit Of passion about something,
and sitser argued that if she were going to
De without her body guard and sick besides.
it was perhaps best that she should hurry
home. So we telegrphed ahead that We
were coming. and started.
" Ah then Your home is in New York.
and not in Allany?'
Sc Not exactly in New York, but in her
sister city. Brooklyn"
At the mention of the name Charlie. its
precious bearer, had opened his eve. taken
lazy view of his surroundings, shifted his
position slightly, and gone to sleep again.
.' Dear little fellow 80 murmured the fair
one with a motherly sort of tenderness. that.
despite the writer's hatred of the qcuus IN
fans. really touched his bachelor soul.
'' Dear little fellow How well he has be-
hayed through all this tedious ride"
'' 1t viii be time enough To compliment
him when he reaches his journey end. -" |
remarked, astonishel at the progress | was
making. For the first time in my recollec-
ton had carried ON a ten minutes conyer-
sation with lady without a sign of trcpi-
dation OF embarrassment
- VIII it be 50 ray long. then? What
time do you suppose we shall reach New
York ~
- About eleven O'Clock, | should think,
consulting my timepiece.
Eleven % clock atnight2 Ohdcar, what
viii poor sister do?''
was revolving in my mind series of
comforting suggestions. when Master Charles
as if To prove my late warning not utterly
vain, began to exhibit signs Of restles-uc~s.
lie opened his eyes wide this time, stared at
me, first vacantly and then with an expreS-
sion of distrust, threw hack his head and
studied my companion in ike. manner.
puckered up his countenance, and prepared
To assert himself yocally.
" Hush, baby dear Hush. INV love
Mamma's trying to sleep poor. sick mann
ma i'
\ faint muttering, as of distant thunder
issued from baby, windpipe.
d" There, dear, there, BE a good little
boy and lie still go
\ kiss that made my heart ache Thunder
growing gradually nearer.
q" Oh Charlie Charlie '' in an imploring
tone. .' Is this the little boy that was one
year old yesterday? Is this the little boy
that had all the pretty birthday presents?
What ir0uld grand pa say
Either to establish his identity with the
little boy referred to, or in a vain attempt to
state his views Of what grandpa would say
under the circumstances. Master Charles
now followed the injunction Of the nursery
distich-
Open his mouth, and shut his eyes.
and gave such vent to his suppressed emo
ti0ns rs brought his mother from reclining
to an upright position without more ado.
" Give him TO me, Marie she said,
reaching both arms over the back of the
| seat.
'' Oh, no, replied Marie" let me keep
him. He'll be good again in a minute
won't you, Charlie dear2"
- Charlie dear preferred not to involve
himself in any doubtful obligation. and con-
tinued to howl dismally. BY and by, how
ever, between the diplomatic man@uyres of
mamma and Marie, and the administering of
sundry brides, he was induced to postpone
| further warlike demonstrations fora season
The truce being perfected, | resumed con-
versation with my fair companion. Every
| 4
| the subject were politics, she talked like a
| Minerva if it were music or art, shep proved
| equally well informed and barring few
feminine illogicalities, her opinions were
sound and tenahle. Altogether the day and
| evening passed away withmaryellous rapid
| ty; had it not been for occasional reminders
from the one-year old, ! should almost have
| forgotten whence | came or whittier | was
| going. At length, however, the continued
| ringing Of the engine bell aroused me 70 the
fact that we were within the limits of New
York city, and that my happy adventure
was almost atan end.
Perhaps, | ruminated, Marie would be
met by one who was a stranger TO me, and
her little white hand warmly pressed it
might be, her fairy waist encircled by a mas
culine arm nay. even those tempting
lips
\ short, quick blast from the whistle ;
the bell has ceased ringing; the train has
stopped; we are there
hile the ladies were preparing to alight.
| inwardly reyolved the question In the
general distribution of the burdens what
was TO become of the baby The elder
lady was too seriously i'll to carry such 4
load. while Marie would be so employed in
taking care of her as TO be almest incapaci-
tated for further labor The same query
seemed to have occurred to the girl, for
observed her looking at the solid child with a
weary sort of expression, as though the very
prospect of his weight had already exhaust
ed her. One glance at her troubled face was
all my yanquished heart could endure.
d" Madam said in a burst of generous
enthusiasm, - am quite unskilled in the
art of carrying children, but if | can be Of
any service in relieving you Of the care Of
that infant-''
Oh, she interrupted, flushing with
gratitude, - if you irOuld be so kind ,
should not think of it for an instant under
any other circumstances, but
:. nnn't rnnntinn u | mn L :, in terrrl MOD