Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-07-13
MARRIED A CHESTNUT.


81 never will!'
evil what?''
81 never will make myself ridiculous by
marrying a man with conspicuous name.
My name suits me we'll enough as it is, and
had rather live and die an old maid than
be pointed out as Mrs. Jaybird or as Chip
hunks wife.
The above words were pronounced en-
phatically, with a decided staccato; they
were accompanied by a shake of a mass Of
auburn curls. and q profound uplifting of
the speakers upper lip, united with FRET
ty stamp of a neat, dainty, feminine foot.
Cora Olmstead, daughter of Hon. John
Olmstead, Of Dunklrk, N. Y, was the
speaker. The balance of the party con-
sisted of an elderly lady, Cora's aunt, and
Mamie jennings, her daughter, and, con-
sequently, Cora's cousin.
The words were spoken to Mamie Jen-
nings, ON the pilot deck of the steamer
Beauty, which was speeding through the
green waters of Lake Erie, carrying its
freight of human souls onward to Mil
Waukee.
Water life had been, and was, very
pleasant. The weather had been fine when
the steamer left Buffalo, and had con-
tinued So The monotony of trip around
tie lakes had been relieved by music and
dancing in the grand salon and walks Of
pleasure on the moonlit deck. Still there
were hours of ennui to the blithe spirits of
the two young girls, occasioned by the
everlasting sameness and the lack of con-
genial companions.
When Miss Cora made her emphatic as
severaton, herself and her Cousin Mamie
had been standing in front OF the wheel
house, watching the eddying water, fast
being cleft by the sharp bows of the Beauty,
and moralizing on the problematic future.
Above them, and just behind. stood the
captain of the boat-a tall man. with long,
dark whiskers, and IL pair Of piercing eyes;
his hand shading them as he looked ahead,
for the last dying rays of the setting SIM
were glinting the ripping water, making
1t as dazzling as a gold-ribbed armOr. His
practiced eye gazing ahead, saw his course
as a scholar cons map; but to the casual
vision of a young man, reclining at his
feet and leaning lazily upon the rail, APP
peared naught but all expanse of monotony,
tiresome to look upon.
AS a matter Of course, he heard the re-
marks of the young ladies, standing so
near him: and, with smile, he looked up
to the captain, saying:
"Csptain Olney, who are those young
ladies just below us?"
Captain Olney lowered his eyes from his
distant point of observation, and allowed
them to rest for moment on his fair pas
sengerS. o.. u ,.lt.-.-....... ..4.
''Those ladies? Why, Arthur, do you
not know them? They are the prettiest
girls on board; one of them-the taller one
is the d. lighter of my old friend, Judge
Olmstead, of Dunkirk; the other is her
cousin-I think, a Miss jennings"
The young ladies, tired at last of their
continuous gaze at ripping water, turned
away and descended the narrow stairs to
the cabin. AS they passed the wheel-house
they looked intuitively upward. Both saw
the handsome face of the young man above
them and dropped their lids at the earnest,
though mirthful gaze of his full blue eyes.
''Cora,' sad Mamie Jennings, ''who is
that young man whom we just saw on the
wheel-house with Captain Olney ~
81 don't know, Mamie; I wish did"
answered Cora, wistfuly; for, being nine
teen and three years older than her cousin,
she considered all the young and hand
some men her peculiar property. II have
not been introduced yet, but 1 shall ask
Captain Olney to do me that favor tonight.
Did you notice his eyes They were very
handsome"
Every but what if he has your aversion
"a peculiarly conspicuous name, as Jay
bird 20
''If he has 1 shall hate him, that's all
But no, "a handsome name to handsome
man. and seek an introduction
After the young ladies had retired, the
young man arose from his recumbent posi-
ton, and placed his hand upon the brawny
shoulder of Captain Olney. u
'Captain, are you my friend 2"
''Well, think am. don't think it's
hardly necessary to ask that question of
one who trotted you on his knee when you
was baby"
"You are right, old friend. 1t was hard
ly fair" and the young mans aland grasp
ed the more brawny one of the captain. II
know you will do me this favor. I want
an introduction to those two young la
dies y~
''Of course, my boy; I was like you, too,
when your age'' -1t f,l .n5 - ~
but one thing more, and most imllpor-