The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-12-14
A HOLIDAY TRIP.

ell have nice Christmas, won't l p
<rOh, L declare, it is too bad, uncle,
swrshing off to such q place, and, as
tsanal, taking cold and laying himself up
Sor an indefinite period.
"Suppose you go instead OF me ?"
1He would have me, of course !
Well, Pen, there's one consolation-he
Nzill have TO remember you in his will. 1"
1He ought to, considering all the
gfeasure this deprives me of. / had
zsaree parties and two concerts on hand
tH7r Slis week, besides the matinee at
$Soeth's. You'll have to accept Carrie
{ayitation for the holidays. SO farewell
Go our grand toilets on New Years day,
.usnd ell the beaux compliments, flowers,
asAd 80 forth. What would you take ?"
"Just your travelling dress and the
-SsepiePs-hair suit. Perhaps you'll want
q black alk-there may be a church in
Ake town.
sob, it's quite place for manufact-
aring engines, and that fact has drawn
i number of mechanics there with their
Sanilies. There must be votes to be
3sad, or uncle wouldn't spend SO much
Ghae there"
" Yoa'll have to fill up your trunk
Sith fancy work and new novels, and, if
1t comes TO the worst, you can firt with
&lre doctor, or correspond with your re-
Cations"
Thanks" said Pen, laughing; "the
former alternative for me.
The two sisters put on their bonnets
and went fo- farewell stroll down
broadway.
Very fine-looking women were the
Misses Irving, well dressed, well pre-
SERVED, and well-enough educated.
S'hey had taste in dress, were witty
enough not to say stupid or silly things,
bright enough to keep informed on all
Spoints that interested general society,
/. siad old enough to thoroughly enjoy life
6 IN its every day phases, and cease build
ing air-castles of future bliss.
Their having remained single sur
Z },rised none of their old friends. Brought
+, up IN she midst of luxury, they required
for husbands men of equal means and
e similar tastes. Sentiment never outran
common sense.
Sometimes, when the Lvings were I'M
der discussion, people would recall an
odd love affair of Pen s when she first APP
Peared in society. But the lover had
siacked in some way, old Mr. Irving had
drowned on the attachment, and the
young fellow had gone away.
Where were people who credited Pen
with the virtue of remaining true to her
odd love, but such statement always
: brought forth laughter and sneers; per-
taps, recital of her many and desper-
ste after-firtations.
She certainly did not let corcealment
2Gect her cheeks. On the contrary,
! having few household cares, she devoted
&inch time and thought to personal
mes, and, by guarding what natsre had
tsSven her, and dressing extensively as
yell as beoomingly, still held the title of
s1elle.
A long. suffering, ardent admirer went
to the cars with her, checked her trunk,
ysnt her sachel in the rack, arranged her
shawl, gave her the last novel, and
watched her departure from the plat
lform.
The train being well under way, Pen
Strengthened herself, pulled up her
fovee-although not wrinkle could
a5e detected in them-refected with in
gard satisfaction on the fit of her dress
zssd the looping of her overskirt, and
shen took survey of her companions.
Every one Lad bundles, and all
'feoked homeward-bound. Unused to
winter travelling, Pen was surprised at
Che general shabbiness. She saw moth
dag interesting within or without, so she
>1sened her book and read descriptions
81 French scenery till her head swan.
'fhen she. leaned her head on her hand
and thought of all the real enjoyment
she was going TO miss.
All this time tall man, with a
-fouched hat concealing his forehead, a
-4hng buster on his figure, and dark
r1Asaskers and mustaches concealing his
,0oxth. kept pair of very bright eyes
H1ed on Pen. When they nealed sta
t<an he watched her motions, but it was
dbxsk before Pen spoke to the conductor
14ed bad him show her how many times
Hey. would stop before reaching Port
fcrvis.
80 the lights burned dimly on. and
9eople dozed and nodded in their seats
3s,d Pen counted the stops. and nj last
tsok down her sachel and put her shawl
-4ecr her arm.
she man in the buster also picked ND
b valise; and when hoarse voice
Sssuted Port Jervis in one word
hitting in with it a freezing current Of
&r, and Pen rose half decided. he was
thssr enough to her TO be interrogated
/" is this Port J,rvis ?" She waa hoo
ataxieus 10 glance above the sleeve OF
Gre duster.
y Yes. madam"
"a 7baok Won"