Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-04-28
A RAILWAY JOURNEY.

~ ClOSS eau WIFI luggage uTONe up
to Euston station, England, in time for the
7:30 A. NJ train for the north. While the
porters surrounded the boxes, the occu-
pants of the cab passed straight through on
to the platform, looking rather nervUusly
about them. They were two---a very pretty
girl in most fascinating travelling costume
OF blue serge and fur, and an elderly
woman, who, from her appearance, might
have been her nurse.
"Sit here, and don't move, Miss Edith,
while | take your ticket; now, mind you
don't stir" and she deposited her on a
bench
Are you the young lady as has ordered
through carriage reserved" asked
guard, with official abruptness.
"Yes."
Then come alony Of me- miss"
No, no; | must watt" and Edith, who
was quite unused to travelling grasped her
bag and did not move The guard looked
astcnished, but only shrugged his shoulders
and walked off. Presently he cane back.
You'll be late, MISS" he said, not en-
couragingly. "Trainll be off in another
minute" Edith looked at him in despair.
Should she leave her post? Would Jrn-
kins never come back? A loud aggressive
ell began to ring. Edith started up; she
seized all the things Jenkins had put under
her charge--rugs, carpet-bag, umbrella
case, loose shawl and provision basket
and was trying to staeger away under the
load, when jenkins came back very hot
and furried, seized half the pack ages, and
hurried her to the train. The qua un-
locked the special carriage, and put her in.
No hurry, ma'am," he said; ".our
minutes still"
81 don't at all like it, now it has come to
the poirt Jenkins" said Edith, leaning out
OF the window.
Nor l, miss and how your mamma
could let You go all alone like this passes
me. But have spoken to the guard and
written to the station master, and you've a
good bit to eat, and not blessed soul to get
into the carriage from end to end; so don't
be afraid, my dear, and | make no doubt
that your dear uncle will meet you at the
other end"
L have no doubt that one of my uncles
will hope Uncle John, as l have never
seen Uncle George"
Everything you want, miss ?" said an
extra porter. "I have put in all the rugs
and a hot water tin, and the luggage is all
right in the van just behind
All right, all right" said Mrs. Jen-
kins
Thank you, ma'am," said the porter,
pocketing a shining half crown
A gentleman suddenly came running on
to the platform; the train was just about to
start. Here, porter, take my portmanteau;
quick smoking carriagew
All full, sir quick, sir, please ~
Its Mr. Georgew cried Jenkins, sud-
denly. Edith started forward. "Ohw
The gentleman caught sight of Jenkins
Here, guard, guard! put me in here !"
"Can't, sir---special."
"Quick; let me in! it's---it's my niece w
The train began to move.
COnfound you, be quickw
The door was opened just in time, and
Edith, as excite ! as Mr.. George, seized him
with both hands by the coat sleeve and
pulled him with all her might into the car
riage. They were off.
MI, George sat down opposite to Edith
with a sigh Of relief
am so glad to see you, Uncle George"
sfld Edith, timidly; for though | am gen
orally bold enough, | was rather afraid of
this long journey"
al will take care of you" said the uncle.
/ am YER glad to make your acquaint-
ance my dear" The "my dear" sounded
little strained, as though it were not a
common expression on Uncle Georges lips,
and Edith looked up at him. She had not
expected her uncle TO be so young in ap-
pearance, but she had often heard her moth
er say that he was the eyoungest looking man
of his age she had ever known and now she
quite agreed, for though she knew him to
be really about ffty-eight years OF age, he
might from his appearance be taken for five
and-twenty, or even less. He was remark
ably good looking--more so than she had
expected--and his eyes looked very young
and frank and blue. There was twinkle
IN them also; she was sure that he was fond
OF fun. Edith felt quite fond OF her uncle
she was not one bit afraid of him---his face
was so open, and good, and kindly.
Now we must make ourselves comfort.
able" said Uncle George, and he proceeded
to set to work. He put the rugs and baskets
into the nets, he pushed the carpet-bag and
portmanteau under the seat, took off his hat
put on a very becoming Turkish fez ex.
trActed newspapers from his pocket, spread
shawl over Edith's knees, and then wrig
gled himself comfortably into corner seat
How well old jenkins wears w he said
"She looks like young dairy maid"
"Oh g' said Edith, little shocked at his
irreverence.
Il remember how she used to feed m,
with dried fruit and macaroons out of tn,
storeroom."
Really surely she is not old enough fol
thatW
ooh, ah! forget her age but the fac
was, wasn't OF course boy"