Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-04-25
/" Mariar,'
AND HER TRIBULATIoNs IN TRAVELLING.

AND HER TRIBULATIONS IN TRAVELLING.
OneJune morning, I started out with
the intention of going to Boston. That
night confidently expected to pass
with Cousin Sarah. But Fate, sup
pose it was, saw fit to meddle with my
affairs, as we'll as with the affairs of sew
eral others, and ordained otherwise.
happened to be so fortunate as to Sc
cure a good seat on the shady side of
the car, and sat down, congratulating
myself on one streak of good luck, at
least. / threw father kiss from the
window, and away the train glided,
"lke a great snake" I should say,
but like to be original in my SMILES,
therefore I refrain from saying it.
1 looked about me. In front of me,
with her seat turned over, so that we
were brought face to face, sat an up
right, ancient lady; her age I should
judge to be about forty, but I may be
mistaken. At any rate she looked rs
old rs Aunt Celestia, who is forty-one,
if tho Bible-record can be relied on,
but according to her version, is thirty
two. This ancient damsel, whom fate
had provided for my ris-a-ris, was a
very amusing specimen of the travelling
female. She had two band-boxes, a
workbag, and an umbrella, besides a
shawl and bundle or two. There she
sat, prim as any maiden lady ever was,
her cotton-gloved hands folded squarely
in her lap, hor hair combed down in
front of her ears, after the fashion
thirty years ago, and concealed on the
back of her head by one of those old
monstrosities in head-gear denominated
mohair caps, with long, pendant orna-
ments which quivered with every mo-
ton OF the ear, and made me think she
was made of jelly. Her bonnet was
evidently the climax of some country
milliner's skill, for it was decidedly
five years ahead of fashion. The
bright red roses on it, contrasting with
her yellow face, made mo think of
mothers bed of "youth and old age
in the back garden. But the crowning
ornament of the "ancient maiden lady"
was her face. OF all expressive coun-
tcnances that was the most so, for it
said old maid all over it, as plainly
as if it had been written there in big
capitals, and her nose was exactly like
an exclamation point to end the SEN
tence with.
"Goin' to Boston ?" she inquired, as
she caught me watching her. She fired
her question at me so suddenly, and in
such a short, explosive way, that she
made me think Of an ovcr-grown pop
gun.
Yes'm," answered.
Ever been there?"
I replied that had.
elm goin' there, too," she informed
me, with nod of her head. "Air you
much acquainted?"
"T know several families in Boston, "
Ireplied.
"Know Jane Weaver or Melindy
Brooks?" She looked at me severely,
as if she was lawyer on q cross-exam-
ination.
~ do not" I answered.
"Nieces of mine," she explained,
concisely. "Goin' up tu stay fort
night or 80. Good graciousr'
This last exclamation was caused by
a jerk of the train, which caused her to
make me most elaborate bow, in a
manner that made her mohair curls
snap about at tremendous rate.
Might as we'll twitch a person tu
pieces an done with it," she remarked
in great disgust, as she proceeded to
re-adjust her head-dress. Didn't muss
my bunnit, did itp"
After q proper inspection of her
"bunnit," was happy to inform her
that it had not been mussed."
"Glad o that" she said, drawing a
breath of relief. Susan-she's my
sister-married Deacon Brown-I live
with 'em, Susan she said as how I'd
better wear my old one an carry this
in band-box, but I didn't want tu he
bothered. I'm desprit feared I will
get this spil'd. Gin Elk dollars for it,
last week. Got it purpose tu go tu
Boston with. Miss Spriggs made it.
She's fust-class milliner, but she's aw-
fully high in her prices"
My ancient" shook her head depre-
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