The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-06-20

out of all patience, and after vain efforts to
sleep be was in as bad a state of mind as a
young gentleman could be. He scolded Tom,
who did not care at all, ridiculed the books
his mother had given him, would taste
neither his tonics nor syrups, and amused
the other passengers who forgot any pity for
the invalid in watching the irritable man.
He paced up and down the aisle between the
seats and though the jolting of the car had
nearly upset him he still kept up his march.
He wished he had never started west, wished
he had died at home, and rashly accused his
mother of forcing him away, when mo-
ments reflection would have recalled his
bitter opposition TO another days residence
in the city. He began to notice his fellow
passengers, and two interested him, or rather
he was interested in one because he was in
the other. A large elderly woman and a
| young lady occupied one of the seats apast
which he was promenadng, and he detected
/ in glance that they were mother and daugh-
ter, and the girl was an invalid. She leaned
against her companion, or against the win
dow, constantly, occasionally starting up, as
if in fright. She was fashionably dressed,
listless. Ed Immediately began to sympa-
thize with her. for he could tell she was
weak and in bad health, and he knew how
to pity such unfortunates. She held in her
long slender fingers a cologne BOTTLE occa-
sioIally bathing her face or moistening her
handkerchief with the perfumery. He heard
her called Clara" and he suddenly found
out what pretty name that was, and how
much he should like to address the lady
thus named. Fate favored him; an unluck-
| ly jolt of the Car, a sudden backward lurch,
and our consumptive hero landed plump in
Miss Clara's lap, and sent the COLOGNE bot
tie whizzing down the aisle. She screamed,
he jumped, bowed-another lurch, and he
hit her square in the chest with his head,
and then bounded back against the other
seat He apologized, blushed, looked crest
fallen and mortified but all without quiet
ing the young lady, who trembled and
| painted for breath until Ed, thoroughly
frightened took the fan and zealously
whitfield the air into her face until she mo-
toned him to stop. Tom brought back the
bottle, and waited to escort Mr.. Benson
back to his place, but Ed remained to again
beg pardon for his unintentional rudeness.
] He gave his card to the matron, mentioned
prominent people of his native city, and
impressed her with the fact that he was
somebody. She introduced herself and
daughter as "Mrs. and Miss Strong, Of
Washington City," and remarked
that Miss Strong was suffering
! from nervous prostration, and was
en- route to Denver, Colorado. That started
Ed on his hobby. He talked extract of hops,
iron, beef tea, brandy, milk and eggs, opiates
and patent medicines. He enlarged on the
merits of travel, rest, home change of scene,
until a casual listener would have supposed
him a medical lecturer. But Colorado was
the paradise that he best loved to imagine.
and so enthused did he grow with his sub
ject that he forgot to cough or modulate his
voice to the strength of his lungs. He asked
permission to sit and chat with the ladies'
and when he learned they were without an
escort he begged to take the place, and was
accepted His references were unexception-
able, his father had been a congressman, ard
his mother had been to Europe, and Mrs
Strong, speaking for herself and daughter
condescended TO take him as their protector.
Tom moved maps, novels, lunch basket
wine, fruit. medicine chest, cushions and
guide books over to the new abiding place.
and settled himself to see the fun. The foot
cushions soon held Miss strong's delicately
sippered feet. The gray shawl so smoothly
folded into pillow was put under her head
and Mr.. Benson patiently famed her while
she dainrily ate the luscious fruit Mrs Ben
son had with much trouble secured for her
invalid son. Mrs. Strong, relieved of her re-
sponsibility, went to sleep, and the young
people talked. Every time Miss Clara
opened her lips, either % speak or to eat,
Ed fell deeper in love with her,
let and her teeth as white as
pearls, and he thought, what a sweet
mouth to kiss" Thus for hours the time
sped on, varied only by complaints and de-
mands for attention from Miss Strong, and
unwavering patience and care from her two
attendants, for Ed had ceased 10 be an inde-
pendent traveller. There was nobody but
the lady to be thought of. She ordered Tom
about as IL she owned him-the fact that be
was with Mr.. Benson mattered not only so
far as it compelled his obedience. In the
early evening Ed began to cough and was
forced to lie down, and SO assiduous had
been his care for the ladies that wearied
with the unusual exertion, he slept until
after they had retired. That annoyed him.
He feared they had needed something and
he had not been present TO secure them
every comfort. But Tom had not been idle.
They had kept him busy, and had not scru-
| pied to give any orders that pleased them.