Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-07-01
GODIYA'S HANDKERCHIEF.

GoDIvA was going to town, hair and
all, and that implies good deal Gas it did
when one rode through Coventry. From
her feet to her hands her appointments
were perfect. Her chestnut brown hair
threw its curling tassels down over a suit
of lighter shade, her brown hat served as
foil for the pheasant'S plume erected there
on, her gloves were No. 6, her boots No g.
She felt that She did herself credit, and
was disposed to beam on the world gen.
orally III consequence. Clown" that
morning meant some shopping, some Wis
its, girl from the intelligence office for
Ma"-a little saunter generally, for
Godiva was unspoiled enough to enjoy the
window side of pictures and pretty things,
and was not wholly averse to the prolific
view of herself the glass was cOmplaisant
enough to hold up for her amusement.
Did | say she was very pretty? Yes, she
was except when she cried or had cold
in ner head, under which circumstances
nobody that ever heard of looked we'll
So this dainty little lady reached the sta
ton without ruffiing a feather and, seating
herself in the cars, she glanced about her
for subjects for mental discussion as
young damsels will. There was the usual
young woman with the saffron hued baby
in blue cap with narrow white taste
ribbons falling into its eyes-and the two
masculines in attendance, one apparently
the father and the other the uncle,
each taking turns at holding the baby in
the most unnatural position possible
while the mother tied her bonnet-strings
and clucked, with a pin in her mouth, to
her winking progeny. GOdiya recalled
the wicked publican as she murmured to
herself: !" | never did see so many ugly
people III my whole life! that woman real
ly makes me ache, she is so sinfully plain,
poor thing But dare say her husband
dOtes on her. Achee! acheer' her sentence
ended, abruptly. Oh, thou base con-
ductor," thought she, chow couldst thou
leave open that door ?" feeling, Immediate
ly, her fate was sealed, as a fatal shiver
ran over her. She put her hand in her
pocket for her handkerchief, but her Rus
STA leather pocket book and small key
alone showed themselves in answer. 1T
isn't possible that have been off and for
gotten my handkerchief" calculated she,
the color coming to her checks as a hith
erto unnoticed pair of blue eyes, belong
ing to a young man, glanced at her from
seat near. Dear, dear me. what shall |
do? [ shall have to sniff, in spite of good
Manners Here she gave gentle draw
ing of breat'. and held her face close to
the window, absorbed, apparently, in the
uninviting prospect; but the tickling
in her throat, the coming drops in
her eyes, all, no! betokened cold
already upon her. Godiva groaned
in spirit. If only | was that ugly
woman over there, whom | laughed at
| wish now | hadn't-and wore cotton
gloves, | could give a sly pinch to my
nose, as she does, but-O! what can l do
till | reach town? / feel worse every mo-
ment and [ must have handkerchief
now. | can't wipe my eyes on my dress
or my petticoat because can't get at them,
nor nv starched linen sleeyes-sniff,
sniff-whO ever heard Of lady without
a pocket handkerchief before! Achee,
achee-e!" This very audible reverbera-
ton startled the gentleman opposite into
giving his fair neighbor quick glance
through his eyeglasses. Then he pulled
his mustache with perplexed expression.
What does that girl look at me for, Won
der? the glance seemed to say, and he
took off the eyeglasses, which, o aggra-
Walton! he proceeded to polish nicely on
the whitest of handkerchiets. This was
too much for Godiva's watering eyes.
IF, y murmured she, :" | thought he was
married | would ask him TO lend me his
handkerchief, [ declare / would! He
couldn't think !, had any design on ms
heart II he only knew how | felt-O deal
me! dear me! | am a wretched being and
L shall certainly go wild before long.
have to keep my mouth wide open now