New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-05-16
pa eaugh. Lhs BEanch d : tres. did-

been; and did Uncle Arthur mean your
papa-remain suspended in mid-sir?"
mo, he swung into the tree. / have
often heard of your climbing exploits, and
that when you were young you could
climb any tree. T"
81 have not lost the power" said Uncle
George, stretching himself. "Holloa y
"What is the matter?" said Edith,
startled.
''Nothing-nothing-si still !"
But she followed the direction of his
eyes. The train, very long one, was
going round sharp curve, they were in
one of the last carriages, and to her hor-
FOR and terror, she saw, about hundred
yards in front of the train, a whole herd
of cows on and off The line-two or three
! frantically galloping.
All heads were stretched out Of the win
dows, clam oring tongues and even cries
resounded from the other carriages, but
neither Edith or George utter sound,
only she put back her hand and caught
his; he seized it very tightly in the sus-
pense, knowing well that terrible aeci-
dent might be impending, 1t was hardly
| second but it seemed q lifetime. The
| frantic cattle rushed off the line in body,
all but one unfortunate beast. The guards
put on the very heaviest brakes, but the
impetus was SO great that the slackening
was hardly perceptible. 1t may have
been fortunate that it was so, for, instead
of upsetting the train, the COW was tossed
off the line utterly destroyed, and the en-
CINE rushed on in safety.
George and Edith sat down opposite to
each other; both very pale.
THANK Godp said Edith, and she COW
cred her face with one hand. George did
not speak, but he took off his cap and
looked out of the window for one minnie.
''Now shall give you some sherry, " he
said, suddenly. "You are the pluckiest
little brick ever came across. Any other
girl would have screamed"
II never scream, said Edith, indig-
nantly, sand I don't want any sherry
81 am your uncle, and say you aresto
have some-drink it up"
II hate wine, she said, giving back the
flask.
told"
AT the next station a perfect crowd of
passengers was waiting for the up train.
A great fete was going on in the next
town for the visit of some royal parsonage,
and the train was filed to OVERLOOKING.
Presently the civil guard came up to the
special carriage and said, most deprecat-
ingly, that there was one gentleman who
couldn't find place anywhere, and as he
was only going to the next station, would
they admit him just for that twenty min
utes? Uncle George consented very dis
contentedly and very grudgingly moved
his long legs to admit of the entry of
very stout old gentleman, who sat heavily
down, and received in his ample lap a
perfect pile of packages and baskets and
brace of hares, and q rabbit tied by the
legs, which he had deztrously suspended
by string around his neck.
'''Not worth while, indeed, my dear
madam, he said, as Edith began to make
room for his things. "Only twenty min
utes-no inconvenience, assure you"
The heavily weighted train moved off.
The old gentleman now began a series of
playful bows which made the hares and
rabbits dance up and down.
cit really was too good of you to admit
an old fogy like me" he said, blandly,
''for of course with half an eye can see
the tender situation"
A deep growl from Uncle George. He
gave little start and went on to himself:
''Sweet young coupled Just welded,
eh?"
Edith felt half choked with laughter,
but she managed to say convulsively:
evil you give me my book, Uncle
George?"
The old gentleman started, cooked his
head as blackbird does when he per-
ceives very fat worm, and muttered:
"Impossible!'
Edith and George were wrapped in their
respective novels. The old gentleman
fidgeted, sighed, and arranged his features
into most sanctimonious expression.
There was dead silence till he reached his
station, where he descended. The de-
parture bell was ringing, when his head
suddenly reappeared at the window, the
hares and rabbit streaming wildly from
the back of his neck.
"My children" be said, "take my ad-
Vice-go back TO your friends. This"
A little shrek ended his discourse The
train was going on; and he, being borne
along on the step Involuntary, two stout
porters rushed to the rescue and lifted
him of. Edith and George laughed until
the tears ran down their cheeks.
81 could eat again, with little persua-
sion, said George, presently.
''Why, what o'clock is it?'
"Just five, and we shall not get in until
half.past eight Remember that we had
our luncheon at twelve O'Clock"
''Very we'll" And they proceeded TO
eat
The sun had gone down, and the whole
sky was gorgeous with gold and crimson
light, on WHICH great black clouds hoated
prophetically
what grand sky" said Edith
Magnificent Nowhere does one see
such clouds as in England"
''Were you very fond of India2"
''Of course am; my work lies there,
my hopes, my future"
Edith looked astonished. II should
have thought, she said, ''that now you
would have been content to rest ct home;
but admire you for loving work. Shall
you 60 out again2"
"That depends very much upon circum-
stances. Il would be- a great grief to me
to give up my profession"
at is very odd, but certainly thought
that mamma told me you had given up
your profession"
"she ives mistaken, said Uncle George
q have. often lOnged to 60 to India, .
cried Edith. aeiflg ~
sHaEe5 your said George, very eagerly.
Rob, yes, beyond anything; life there
gives everybody chance. / mean, heroic
men and great characters are forusd in
India, and men have great responsible titles
and development fog quite different
class Of most desirable qualities there"
That is quite true and You are Just
the sort Of woman to help Q man to do