The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-08-20
PAST ALL DISH0NOR. :"


me become frequent passenger, in the
summer Of 10, on steamboat leay-
ing the -wharves of New York, whose
destination was Boston. A person who
has been fortunate enough to make this
journey in favorable weather, need not
be told that the trip is delightful; par
ticularly 50 if it be made in one of
those floating palaces belonging to
the Fall River Line
On one Of these occasions, just before
the boat started, a pretty girl, of per-
haps II or Is, stepped aboard, inquired
for the Steward, and secured a state
room, saying she was going through to
Boston. Her manner was easy and
Self-pOsoessed; yet a certain
audacious sauciness in her splendid
brown eyes, the jaunty way in
which she wore her Turkish hat, her
independent air, and nameless sugges-
ton Of mischief which appeared to Turk
In every movement, arrested the OBJ
server 5 attention, and seemed to indi-
cate that she was proficient beyond her
years in the worlds knowledge; that
her tutelage, to say the least, had par
taken more of lenience than of prudence.
Her dress was rich, and exquisitely be-
coming, but no attempt at conspicuous
ornament. Her hair was of the same
rich brown color as her eyes, and fell
down to her waist, resting as lovely on
her fair young shoulders as if each sep
arate hair were endowed with electric
life.
From the moment the vessel started
she was the target of universal atten-
ton. The ladies eyed her very mar
rowly, and criticised her dress and man
ner with that merciless severity known
only to the gentler sex. The gentle
men cast sly glances of admiration from
beneath their hats and behind their
newspapers; and the gravest af them
looked more amiable at the sight of her
bright eyes and childish countenance.
AS We swept out into the Sound, she
came on deck, where most of the gentle
men and several ladies were congregat-
ed, and directed fusillade of small
conversation at the captain, addressing
him in tone of reckless levity, and
q with a familiarity which startled the
ladies and amused the gentlemen; and
otherwise conducting herself in man
ner which left no doubt as to her social
status. In less than ten minutes, every
lady on board was her avowed enemy.
and not at all afraid to let it be known
but she chartered on, in her rollicking
way, regardless of smiles or frowns, APP
parently the irredeemable deyotee of
thoughtleSSneSS and folly.
The afternoon drifted slowly by,
freighted with delicious languor. as
the majestic vessel plunged steadily on
ward through the waste of waters. The
passengers lounged liStlessly from deck
to cabin, reading, browsing or musing. as
their various temperaments inclined
them but all yielding, to some extent,
to the dreamy contentment which
seemed to pervade the atmosphere.
We were all on deck, shortly after
tea, adrniring the sunset. which flooded
the sea and sky with transforming
-spiendor. 1t was gay company; not
"A sad face could be found amongst us
all. The too intense heat of the day
had subsidized, and soft breeze had
sprung up to breathe the air was. in
itself. an inspiration.
Our irrepressible and too contiding
young lady passenger was there. and
her childish laugh rang out above the
rest. She had selected the good-na-
tured Captain and one or two of his Of
fcerS as the especial object of her flip
pant. though by no means vicious. rail-
cry, and they permitted it, partly from
an acquired habit of affability toward
all passengers. and partly because they
were amused by her irresistible vivac-
ity.
The lady passengers. of course.
Stunned and kept aloof from her as
from noxious poison. as if her very
contact would breed pestilence. The
gentlemen did likewise. to great ex.
tent: more. I believe. from tender re-
gard for feminine opinion than from any