The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-12-27
A HOLIDAY TRIP.

"TIl have nice Christmas, won't I -
"Oh, I declare, it is too bad, uncle,
rushing off to such place, and, as
usual, taking cold and laying himself up
for an indefinite period"
"Suppose you go instead OF me ?"
"He would have me, of course !
Well, Pen, there's one consolation-he
will have to remember you in his will. :"
"He ought to, considering all the
pleasure this deprives me of. I had
three parties and two concerts on hand
for this week, besides the matinee at
Booths. You'll have to accept Carries
invitation for the holidays. So farewell
to our grand toilets on New Years day,
and all the beaux, compliments, flowers,
and SO forth. What would you take 2"
"Just your travelling dress and the
camePs-hair suit. Perhaps you'll want
a black silk-there may be church in
the town."
"Oh, it's quite place for manufact-
uring engines, and that fact has drawn
a number of mechanics there with their
families. There must be votes to be
had, or uncle wouldn't spend so much
time there"
"You'u have to fill up your trunk
with fancy work and new novels, and, if
it comes to the worst, you can flirt with
the doctor, or correspond with your re-
latons."
"Thanks," said Pen, laughing; "the
former alternative for me-
The two sisters put on their bonnets
and went for farewell stroll down
Broadway.
Very tine-looking women were the
Misses Irving, we'll dressed, well pre-
served, and well-enough educated.
They had taste in dress, were witty
enough not to say stupid or silly things,
bright enough to keep informed on all
points that interested general society,
and old enough to thoroughly enjoy life
in its every day phases, and cease build
ing air-castles of future bliss.
Their having remained single sur
prised none of their old friends. Brought
up in the midst of luxury, they required
for husbands men of equal means and
similar tastes. Sentiment never outran
common sense.
Sometimes, when the Irvings were un-
der discussion, people would recall an
old love affair of PENS when she first ap-
peared in society. But the lover had
lacked in some way, old Mr.. Irving had
frowned on the attachment, and the
young fellow had gone away.
There were people who credited Pen
with the virtue of remaining true to her
old love, but such a statement always
brought forth laughter and sneers; per
haps, a recital of her many and desper-
ate eafter-fiirtations
She certainly did not let corcealment
affect her cheeks On the contrary,
having few household cares, she devoted
much time and thought to personal
ones, and, by guarding what nature had
given her, and dressing expensively as
well as becomingly, still held the title of
belle.
A long suffering, ardent admirer went
to the cars with her, checked her trunk,
put her sachel in the rack, arranged her
sEewl, gave her the last novel, and
watched her departure from the plat
orm.
The train being well under way, Pen
Strengthened herself, pulled up her
gloves although not wrinkle could
be detected in them-refected with in
ward satisfaction on the fit of her dress
and the looping of her overskirt, and
then took survey of her companions
Every one Lad bundles, and all
looked homeward- bound. Unused to
winter travelling, Pen was surprised at
the general shabbiness. She saw moth
ing interesting within or without, so she
opened her book and read descriptions
of French scenery till her head swan.
Then she. leaned her head on her hand
and thought of all the real enjoyment
she was going TO miss.
All this time a tall man, with a
slouched hat concealing his forehead, a
long duster on his figure, and dark
whiskers and mustaches concealing his
mouth, kept pair of very bright eyes
fixed on Pen. When they nealed a sta
ton he watched her motions, but it was
dusk before Pen spoke to the conductor
and had him show her how many times
they would stop before reaching Port
Jervis.
So the lights burned dimly on, and
people dozed and nodded in their seats,
and Pen counted the stops, and at last
took down her sachel and put her shawl
over her arm.
The man in the duster also picked up
his valise; and when a hoarse voice
shouted ''Port Jervis in one word,
letting in with it freezing current of
air, and Pen rose half decided, he was
near enough to her to be interrogated.
SIS this Port Jervis ?" She was too
anxious to glance above the sleeve of
the duster.
"Yes, madam.
"Thank YOU"
The sleeve seemed to hold open the
car-door. Pen passed ont; WAS assisted
to the platform; and then, in the dusk,
man approached and asked:
rs this Miss Irving?"
Pen bowed.
"Mr. Irving sent me to meet you.
The hotel is across the street. May |
take your things?"
As Pen followed the hotel clerk the
owner of the duster, who had heard the
short monologue, started in an opposite
direction.