Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-16
A Decided Adventure.
TWO YANKEE DAMsELs AT THE cENTEN-


TWO YANKEE DAMsELs AT THE cENTEN-
NAL.
While in Boston, recently, was told the
following very remarkable incident, which
is quite good enough to resurrect our dead
interest in the late Exposition:
Two young ladies, living among the
White NJ ountains, determined to visit the
Centennial, together. They had all the
pluck, self-reliance, and intelligence OF the
typical Yankee girl, and, though neither of
them had ever journeyed beyond Concord
in all their lives, the trip TO Philadelphia
did not seem very formidable. With great
good sense and taste they prepared dresses
that would do for universal wearing, aud
then folded into their respective satchels
the one precious black silk, which seemed
to them the acme of elegance. On they
came, noticing everything Of interest en-
route, and especially taking keenest obser-
vations Of the people about them. Study
ing the maps of the grounds and hotels
nearest, they selected as their abiding
place, the Atlas, but once landing within
the great barn, they calculated, mistake
No. ! This is no place for usv A brief
consultation resulted in their starting to
look up the regular commission, who fur
n ished respectable lodgings, and our girls
entered Chestnut street car. Their bright
faces aud ladylike demeanor would attract
attention anywhere, and an elderly lady,
plainly but richly dressed, seemed ospe-
cia lily interested. The conductor came for
his fare.
Miss A. produced quarter and said,
Take two."
Tickets or exchange2" queried the
functionary.
81 am sure don't know" said Miss A.,
81 want to go TO the Centennial Lodging
House Agency"
The elderly lady smilingly nterposed
"Give the young lady tickets" The con-
ductor obeyed, clicked the bell-punch. and
left all explanations to the unknown.
They were soon made, and so kindly that
our Yankee girls frankly stated their case.
"You are quite right The Atlas is no
place for you. Let me see! think can
recommend you to a house which will suit
you admirably, if you can trust me-" and
she smiled again, such a smile that no one
could doubt her sincerity.
The girls held telegraphic consultation
with their eyes, rendering an affirmative
answer with the quick decision of their
nat ure, and settled into a cozy three cor
nered chat about Philadelphia. Their new
friend signalied for stopping the car be-
fore handsome house, "much too hand
some for an ordinary boarding house."
Miss A. CALCULATED, mentally. Her thought
was answered at once, Everybody rents
rooms this year, and here know you will
find nice quarters If they are no: full"
said their guide.
Their ring was answered by the mistress
of the house, and the question of accom-
mediation settled in minute by the asser-
ton thai every room was crowded.
"Never mind, my dears! It's only noon
now, and you can still 60 to the Agency,
but first come home with me, and have
some lunch"
"How we dared to do such thing, AFTER
all we bad read of misplaced confidence,
can't guess, said Nellie NJ, while telling
me the story, "only there was something
so fastidous In The lady's voice and man
ner that dstrust never entered our heads.
"Our Philadelphia squares are so long
that, rather than fatigue you, shall take
you bya back way" was the next inlor-
nation given, as the guide turned into an
alley, with only a narrow pavement ON
each side.
ave are In for an adventure" whispered
Miss A.
"Pm not afraid, are you 2" retorted Nell
liA and m ihaU Of
those ponderous doors in the brick wall,
with which people of substance in the
Quaker city surround their areas.
at doesn't look inviting, girls, but, in
minute, I'll show you something BETTER"
observed the lady, giving hearty rat-tat
with the old-iashioned knocker.
Now I'll let Nelly's own bright words
tell the rest of the story.
at seems like bit out of the Arabian
Nights for a handsome colored man
opened the door, and stayed to close it,
when Fan and /, too dazed TO speak, meek
ly trotted along past a coach house and sta
BILE, and then the ell of huge mansion.
There was pretty side yard, flowers and
a fountain, and we went in to a side door.
The minute we had crossed the threshold,
our hostess turned suddenly, held out both
her hands, and said, with much emotion:
Young ladies, 1 know 1 am doing a
strange thing, but my daughters are dead,
and the sight of your young faces in this
quiet house is at once great pleasure aud
a pain TO me. You look like my lost Ma
ry,' and she touched my hair with light
caress. We were tired and dusty, not at all
in costume fer the superb parlor into
which she ushered us, and where she left
us for few moments. Fan stared at me
and stared at her, but we didn't speak
even as much as Poe's raven. We took
observations, however, for we had never
seen so handsome a room. All the colors
were dark and rich a conservatory open
ed on one side, and great bars of sunshine
lay on the carpet. Presently our hostess
returned, saying, with laugh; 1T is quite |
time we were introduced; 1 am Mrs. j.,