The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-07-26
LITERARY
THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN.

REFORM" said Hero Lewis HE has prom
ised me-"
Uncle Lewis looked down with a sort of
mild. sublime pity from the height OF his
six feet two. upon his pretty niece, as he
stroked his silky hair softly.
"My dear Hero" he said, "what is the
word of a drunkard WORTH"
go, Uncle, don't use that cruel word
Don't call him q drunkard." cried the girl,
shrinking back as from blow.
81 hardly know what other word IS aP-
plicahle to him Hero. No, he will never re-
form. And, child, I'd rather see you IN
your grave than married to man VINO
drinks"
..He has promised" pleaded the girl, her
eyes shining like blue wistful tears.
"Uncle, ought l not to give him another
chance?"
He shook his head.
MY common sense, Hero. says no.
II hate common sense, flashed out Hero.
"People always talk about common sense
when they mean to be cold ana nara anu
cruel. l love Harry Rivers, and mean to
marry him in spite of the carping, sneerlng
world"
And Hero went away through the golden
waving of the ears of ripening rye, her
blue ribbon futtering like penuons in the
breeze.
Uncle ROYAL looked after her with q coun-
tenance of misgiving.
Like all other girls" he said, ''she IS
determined to have her own way-well, If
she will wreck herself, can't help it.
"Do you expect Harry tonight
Miss Ermania Lewis was what the world
irreyerentlv terms the old maid, but she
was quite young enough at heart to sympa-
thize in the love affairs of the sister fifteen
years her junior, to whom she had always
stood in the place of a mother, and she too,
had a soft spot in her heart for handsome
dissipated Harry Rivers. She spoke from
the window while Hero was leaning over the
gate. n scarlet shawl thrown across hel
shoulders.
HE said he would come" was the hal
hesitating answer.
at is getting late and cold, said Ermania
Better come into the FIRE, you know as vel
as do that your throat is not strong
..rll come in a minute" said Hero.
.sThey were telling me down at the Corn
ers this afternoon said Ermania. speakin
with an effort, .'that the railroad compan
are going to discharge him from their EN-
ploy."
Hero turned sharply around
ITO discharge him? For whats
..For habitual intoxication. They say
is not safe to employ a man who-who
not always himself
1T is SANDER" cried Hero h0tly. %
is the work of some base villain who wan
the post himself :.
every probably" said Ermania. sadl
sOnly, Hero-don't be vexed with me, dial
ing-but they say Harry has fallen in vi
that set Of men from the Mines and is g
ting into worse habits than ever"
Hero turned her face away.
..Have you only evil tidings to tell n
Ermanis!"
II would that they were good for 70
sake sister But the air is growing ch
we shall have rain. Had you better CO
ins''
by and by. Don't tease me, Ermani'
And Ermania, comprehending that
times solitude is the best medicine for
eased mind, said nothing more, and clos
the easement, sat down to her needlewo
by the light Of lamp
At eleven o'clock punctually. she went
bed, after having ascertained oy
through the window that Hero was
leaning on the gate, all alone in the autu
darkness, with red leaves raining az
around her, and the melancholy cry OF
owl in the distant woods lending an -
tional tinge of mournfulness to the
and the stiffness.
shell come in when she isready, tho'
Ermania II don't like to assert any aut
ity over her when she is in one OF I
moods.
No sooner had Hero perceived. by thu
pearance Of the light from her sisters
dow. that Ermania had sought her pill
then softly gliding through the gate
hurried down the road with the SC
shawl drawn tightly over head.
II will not be deceived and put Oh,
msrmercd to herself. Il viii find out
se,lv ii. aer he t. be trusted Ct not.