The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-11-23
Select Story.
STORY OF A TICKET AGENT.

~ pdlnlLiHEly
"When is the next Western train
due ?"
Not till six o'clock. You've five hours
to wait BE dretful tiresome, ma'am.
There's nice family that lives in t'other
part o the house-s'pose | tote you in there
know Mrs, Holly'll give you a bite O.
suthin' ter eat, and she'll be proud to let you
rest on her spare bed. Fine woman, Mrs.
Holly isl know her. Won't you go in
and see her, ma am?
No, thank you sir. | dare say that I'll
be quite comfortable here
We'll, jes as you please. But now must
be goin.' Hope you'll git to your journey
end safe, ma'am. GoodbyH
And Farmer Brown left the room mount
ed his wagon, and soon disappeared down
the dusty road.
| had been visiting friend who lived in
a country settlement, some five or six miles
from the solitary building dignified by the
rame of depot, and when the time came for
ne to return home, she placed me in the
care Of a ueghhoring farmer who was going
to distant village, and would pass the sta
ton.
During our ride we met with an accident
Part OF the harness gave way, and we were
de aimed such a length of time that as the
reader knows, wa too late for the train
After Farmer Brown left me, | amused
myself by reading a newspaper which some
one had left lying on the seat.
Finishing this, studied the design of th6
wall paper, fnted the paues OF glass in the
little window, and wondered at the tidines.
OF the whole apartment.
Country depots are generally such vile
dirty places Wonder why this is an ex
ception ?? said to myself. Then a thought
struck me. 'Oh, probably the place is kept
clean by the Mrs Holly over whose virtue'
Farmer Brown was so enthusiastic Won
der if this same worthy female would Civ,
me glass of water?'
And | tapped on the door communicating
with the other apartments.
Come in, said CHEEKY voice, and enter
Ing, found myself in one of the pretties
coziest rooms | had ever seen.
The most delicate tint of buff was on tn,
curtains, festooned with ivy, hung at tn,
windows and here and there were books
brackets, flowers and pictures, and all th'
dainty belongings that make a room look 81
honey and pleasant.
And most charming of all, there lay in
whte-draped cradle rosy baby fast asleel
with rings of golden hair falling over hi
white brow, and great, red, velvety ros,
clasped in his dimpled hand.
Over him bent woman of twenty two o.
three years-a little mite of ii woman, witt
a bright, dark face, vividly colored bis
black eyes, and woudrous dark hai
wound in heavy braids about her STATELY
head.
She arose with smile when entered,
Excuse me, but may trouble you for +
glass of water?' | said.
no trouble at all, ma am. Pray bt
seated, Excuse me-, and she left the
room.
Presently she returned, bearing a saivel
covered with a snow. white napkin, and con
tanning glass of water, glass Of creamy
milk, saucer of luscious red strawberre
and a plate of spongecake light as yellow
foam.
Pardon me- she said, smiling, If tax,
too great a liberty but, you see, Farme
Brown told me of your being obliged to wal
so long, and | thought you might bt
hungry
why how very kind you are! lex
claimed, in pleased surprise.
'Notat all It's pleasure to me. If yor
are hot and dusty, perhaps you'd like tC
bathe your face If so just step in here
Aud she led the way into little whit,
bedroom the very heart of cleanliness anC
purity.
In little while was different beng
from the cross, dusty, hungry mortal whC
had sat in the hot waiting room.
found Mrs. Holly perfect little gem o
woman, and, after the manner of our sex
we soon became as well acquainted as if W,
had known each other for years And Will,
| was lying angudly upon her comfortable
sofa, and she, seated in her low rocking chair
stitching away at her baby's dress, she tolC
me the one romance of her life.
4 have lived in this little depot all my
days she began. My father was agent her'
aud he served the company so long and st
well that, when he died they kindly allowed
me to remain in his place. with the sam,
wages too. For, you see, | was seventeen
and father had long before taught me tele
graphy and all the other work. About {
year after fathers death, became acquaint
ed with Jack Jack Holly-my husband,
and Mrs. Holly looked up and smiled,
Jack was one of the best engineers on tn,
road land is now, too), and everybody con
sdered him an honest, likely young fellow
He thought the world of me, and we be
came engaged But you know how girl
are! The weakest of them can make {
strong man tremble.
"A weak, white girl held all his heart
strings in her small, white hand ! said.
Yes and dare say often pulled Jack
heart-strings rather hard but he was gentle
and patient when firted with the lads from
the country, and when ! was wild and way
ward he diden't demonstrate, But one da!
there came along a city chap, who engaged
board for the summer at a farmhouse in thu
neighborhood,
This Clarence Devarges, as he was called
was handsome, well-dressed, and had tha
polished indescribable air that is so fascinat
ing to most silly girls. Jack was kind an'
well-mannered, hut he didn't have bit O
style about him ,and'sty yewas whatIdoted ol
in those days so | snubbed Jack, smiled o.
Mr.. Devarges when he offered his attention :
flirted most dreadiully with him, till eve
generous Jack was displeased,