Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-06-06

ney, and was dusty aud way.worr
when ! arrived at the only public
house in the place that was digniti
ed with the name of hotel. It was
market day, and the streets were
filed with people and wagons"
At this part Of my story my wife
pushed aside her glass Of jelley and
looked up anxiously in my face. ]
SMILED and proceeded ,.r6l
"Hsving ordered refreshments,
sat down to look Over a newspaper
which lay upon the table in the
room into which had been usher
Ell, when CHANGING to raise my head
my eyes fell upon mirror which
hung on tho opposite wall bet tween
two pictnres, one representing a
bold dragoon leaping his horse over
river, and the other the "Sailor's
Adieu," where \ mariner, clad in a
tarpaulin hat, blue trowssrs, and
leather belt, was kissing woman
upon the cheek, while each of his
legs was in the possession of two
small specimens of humanity, who
seemed determined that he shoul d
not 60 away. There was a boat in
waiting, and the crew (who all HAD
red cheeks) seemed complacent
enough to have waited until the
young ones thought proper to re-
lease pappy, before they pulled him
off to the vessel, whose sails ap.
peared in the horizon. AS 1 looked
into the mirror I was struck with
horror at my appearance. I sprang
towards the bell rope and gave it a
pull. When the waiter appeared !
inquired if there were a fisst-class
hair dresser in the town on whose
skill l might rely. He replied that
one of the finest artists in that line
in all Ameriky had his saloon with.
in few doors Of where I was then
standing. l always had an aver
sion of putting my head in the
hands of a bungler. With hasty
steps, til en- I sought the shop of
Mr.. Strop, and was surprised to
find the waiter had spoken the exact
truth. Mr.. Strop was an honor to
his calling. He went at my head
as only an artist could. When he
concluded he smilingly handed me
a small glass to survey myself. Ny
satisfaction seemed to please him.
He was a worthy man, and I shall
always hold him'in grateful recollec-
ton. returned to the hotel parlor,
and began to look at myself in the
mirror that hung between the out
ward-bound sailor and the fiery
dragon. I was perfectly enchanted
with my mien. I was cut and curled
in the most distangue STYLE"
My wife here laughed outright,
and Abbott Drake smiled.
"The hotel stood back from the
street in a large courtyard, the pro-
ecting wall of which, on each side,
preventing any view beyond.
Across this court people were con.
,tantly passing. sat down at the
open window to watch them. One
group in particular engaged my at
it consisted of an elderly !
ady and a young one. The latter
lressed in white, with chip bonnet
with blue. They were in
with gentleman who
vas dressed in a velvet coat and
White vest. He had a Scotch cap |
~ his head and light buff panta-
oons on his well-shaped limbs. He
vas laughing and talking with the
'oung lady, and she seemed to be
excessively amused at something
le was saying. She happened to
ook my way. and 1 saw she had a
'air Of the most heavenly blue eyes
ever beheld. 1 fancy she must
ave guessed my thoughts, for she
ooked away quickly. But that head
t mine was a thing not easy to
isregard. After a little while she
asst another tilnid glance at the
Again our eyes met; she
lushed. Oh! good Mr.. Strop!
'resently they walked away with
he man in the velvet coat. Ipoked
" well-curled head out of the
indow to get a last look at her
form. She never looked
ack. Then I tell back in my chair,
nd wished in my despair that I was
le man in the velvet coat. My
inner came in. I could have muir ,
cred that waiter for bringing it. III
al no appetite. 1 ate little, swal-
wed a tumbler of wine, and lit a
gar. l thought it might console
e.