The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-07-05

SCCIuCo lllClIluC. liz CdttlC
rushed off the line in body, all but one
unfortunate beast. The guards put on
the very heaviest brakes, but the impe- /
tus 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
engine rushed on in safety.
George and Edith sat down opposite
to each other; both were very pale.
"Thank God!" said Edith, and she
covered her face with one hand. George
did not speak, but he took off his cap
and looked out of the window for one
minute.
"Now shall give you some sherry"
he said suddenly. g You are the pluck
lest little brick I ever came across. Any
other girl would have screamed
81 never Scream" said Edith, indig-
nantly; 6 and don't want any sherry
I" | am your uncle, and | say you are
to have some-drink it up.''
81 hate wine," she said, giving back
the flask.
"There, good child, to do as you are
told"
At the next station perfect crowd of
passengers was waiting forthe up train.
A great fete was going on in the next
town for the visit of some royal person.
age, and the train was filled to overflow
ing. Presently the civil guard came up
to the special carriage, and said, most
deprecatingly, that there was one gen
tleman who couldn't find place any
where; and as he was only going to the
next station, would they admit him just
for that twenty minutes? Uncle George
consented very discontentedly, and very
grudgingly moved his long legs to ad-
NIT of the entry of very stout old gen.
tleman, who sat heavily down, and re-
ceived into his ample lap perfect pile
of packages and baskets, and brace of
hares, and rabbit tied by the legs,
which he had dexterously suspended by
a string round his neck
"Not worth while, indeed, my dear
madam" he said, as Edith began to
make room for his things. 'sOnly
twenty minute-nO inconvenience, as
sure you"
The heavily weighted train moved off
The old gentleman now began Il series
of playful bows which made the hares
and rabbits dance up and down.
1t really was too good Of you to adj
init 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 couple! just welded,
eh?''
Edith felt half choked with laughter,
but she managed to say, convulsively-
"Will 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 gen.
tfeman fidgeted, sighed, and arranged
his features into a most sanctimoniOus
expression. There was dead silence till
he reached his station, where he de-
} scended. The departure bell was ring
ing, when his head suddenly reappeared
at the window, the hares and rabbit
streaming wildly from the back of his
neck.
"My children" he said, "take my
advice-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 in
voluntarily, two stout porters rushed to
the rescue and lifted him off. Edith
and George laughed till the tears ran
: down their cheeks.
s. could eat again, with little per-
suasion," said George, presently.
"Why, what o'clock is it?''
:. "Just 5, and we shall not get in till
$50. Remember that we had our
luncheon at twelve.''
every 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 f1oated propheticallv
"What a 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. "I should
have thought" she said, "that now
you would have been content to rest at
home; but L admire you for loving
work. Shall you go out againP''
That depends very much upon cir
cumstances. 1t would be a great grief
to me to give up my profession"
: cit is very odd, but | certainly
thought that mamma told me you had
given up your profession.
, "She was Mistaken said Uncle