Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-03-28

| iutO eHC S"CAUt HcaC Win well sat
listed expression of countenance.--
But Fitz James expressed his un-
bounded contempt for hi. neighbor
by drawing his ample raglan closely
around him and shrinking nearer to
the side Of the car. The stranger
looked at him with scorn.
"You need not trouble yourself to
slip through the window, young
man," said he, in voice of irony.
Fitz James was thoroughly dis
gusted. He could not endure such
vulgar propinquity. So he arose
quickly, and striding over his COM
panion, made the best Of his way
into the smoking car.
Miss Winchester's sacrifice had
been witnessed by all in the carri-
age, and seats were offered her by
a dozen polite and otiicious young
gentlemen, but she declined them
all by motion of her head, and re-
manned leaning against the side of
the vehicle.
The train few onward-the old
gentleman meanwhile disposing him.
self for a comfortable nap, which he
was shortly enjoying.
Some time before midnight the
lights of Boston cleaned through
the darkness, and in a moment the
train Numbered in at the depot.
Our old gentleman arose. shook
himself, grasped his valise and
came over to the side Of Miss Win
chester.
"Madam," he said, "you have
made an old feeble mans journey
tolerable, will you not tell him your
name and place Of abode?"
She smiled, waived all thanks,
and gave him her card. He bowed
and left her, just as Fi,z james ap-
peared to escort her from the car
But getting through the crowd was
no easy matter, for the toss and bus
tie were unusual, and Isabel noticed
that several uniformed companies
filled the space in front Of the depot.
Cries Of "Hurrah tor Southerton!"
"Three cheers tor the hero OF Mcxi-
COT" rent the arr. Banners trailed
out on the fresh night breeze; fam
beaux flashed; drums beat, and a
long line of carriages filed slowly
up the stre4.
Fitz James inquired the occasion
of all this tumult, and learned that
it was public welcome extended
by the citizens Of Boston to Gen.
John Southerton, gentleman and
n veteran officer, who had signally
distinguish ed himself in the then
late Mexican war.
''He came on this train," said a
bystander. 'Is it possible, sir, that
you did not discover him? Sickly
looking old man dressed in thread
bare gray, and carrying huge va
lise. He has just recovered from a
severe attack Of rheumatic fever,
which has troubled him ever since
his last campaign. Those vile Mex
lean night vapors, and sleeping on
the cold ground undermined his con-
stitution; but he is fine old fellow
yet" Miss Winchester thought he
must be, as she had heard much Of
his gallant daring, but Fitz James
was the picture Of silent mortiica-
ton.
Miss Winchester and her cousin
stopped at the American House, and
early the next morning, before the
lady had finished dressing, a servant
brought up note bearing her ad
dress. Isabel tore it open, and there
fell out two cards Of invitation to y
ball to be held at the Revere, that
evening, in honor OF General South
erton. One card bore the name of
Fitz James, the other was directed
to herself. She had no acquaintance
in Boston, consequently the invita-
tions must have been sent at the In
stance of the General himself.
Fitz James was surprised and hu-
inflated at this mark of distinction,
for he could not but realize that the
invitation had been extended to him
solely to save his Cousins feelings.
But, notwi,hst nding this, he wish
ed to accept it, only to have an op.
portunity of cxcusing his yesterdays
impoliteness to the great man.
The journey to Nahant was defer
red for one day, and early that eve
ming the cousins were at the Revere
where a brilliant cotere had already
assembled.
Gen. Southcrton WAS reclining in
an arm chair at the head of the great
drawing room, receiving his friends
as they passed by, one giving place
to another, but when Isabel was pre-
sented, he retained her hand to say:
"Please sit down on this ottoman
at my side-I have a relation here
to whom I wish to present YOU"
1t was not long before singular
ly handsome young man came up to
the General, smiling q friendly well
come, and the veteran, turning to
Isabel, said:
"Miss Winchester, allow me to
present you to my son, Alfred South
erton, who is very grateful for the
kindness which you last evening be-
slowed upon his father"
The young man bowed, and his
father continued
"Whenever l see a young person
voluntarily render respect to the
aged, l am constrained to. admire
and respect him or her as relic Of
the good old politeness which reign
ed over show and heartlessness
when l was lad. It is all hollow
ceremony now, my dear, and if the
old man cannot stand without assis.
tance, he is thrown down and trod.
den upon. Alfred, do you need
further hint, or must your rhcumat-
ic old father set you an example Of
courtesy?"
The young man stared and color
ed, for he had been gazing so intent.
ly upon the rare beauty Of Miss
Winchester that he had forgotten
time and place.
"If Miss Winchester will permit
me-" be said, offering his arm-a
moment more and tney were lost in