The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-05-04

"Oh, yes. You see I am not such an old
lfogy as you expected"
"No; nobody would believe you to be fifty
! eight. but for one thing"
"What is that ?"
But Edith blushed and would not answer.
"You need not mind, child, never was
at all sensitive; and, alasl now my memory
is not what it was"
That's it" said Edith eagerly "only
| did nst like to say it. Here we are at the
| station"
1t was now 10 o'clock; Uncle George
bought the Times and Daily News, and they
both began to read. About l2 o'clock the
Gangs of hunger began to assai Edith and
| she exclaimed:
Uncle George, it is only l2 o'clock aud
must eat to live, VIII you have beef or
| chicken sandwiches, or cold partridge, or
| what?"
| They made very good lunch, and uncle
and niece grew hourly better acquainted.
| 81 believe we ought to look out of the
wisdow," said he, presently. "My father
said that the country about here was quite
beautiful"
| THAT must have been before the days of
railways" said Eth gravely. "Those coach
ing days must have been quite delightful
| "They were. Holloa!"
| "What is the matter?' said Edith, star
tied.
| "Nothing ng-nothing-sit still?'
But she followed the direction of his eyes.
The train IA very long one) was going round
a sharp curve, they were in one of the last
carriages, and to her horror aud terror, she
saw, about hundred yards in front of the
train, whole herd of cows on and off the
line-two or three frantically gallopiDg.
All heads were stretched out of the win
dows. clamoring tongues and even cries re.
sounded from the other carriages, but neith-
er edith nor George uttered a sound, only
she put back her hand and caught his; he
seized it very tightly in the suspense, know
ing well that terrible accident might be
impending. 1t was hardly second, but II
seemed lifetime. The frantic cattle rush
ed off the line in n body, all but one unfor-
tunate beast. The guards pu. on the very
heaviest brakes, but the impetus was 50
great that the slackening was hardly per.
'ceptible 1t may have been fortunate that it
was so, for instead of upsetting the train,
the COW was tossed off the line utterly de-
stroyed and the engine rushed on 10 safe
ty.
George and Edith sat down opposite tc
each other; both were very pale.
"Thank God - said Edith and she GOV
cred her face with one hand. George did 10
speak, but he took off his cap and looked
out of the window for one minute.
Nov I shall give you some sherry" he
: said, suddenly. "You are the pluckiest lit
tie brick ever came across. Any other cir
would have screamed"
81 never scream" said Edith, indignant
ly; "and don't want any sherry"
II am your uncle, and ] say you are t
u have some-drnk it up"
81 hate wine," she said, giving back tn
n flask.
: "There, good child, to do as you ar
told"
AT the next station perfect crowd {
passengers were waiting for the up train. .
- great fete was going on in the next town fo
the visit Of some royal parsonage, and tn
= train was filled to overlooking. Present.
the civil guard came up to the special cal
riage, and said, most deprecatngly, tina
= there was one gentleman who couldn't fin
a place anywhere and as he was only goin
to the next station, would they admit hiI
Just for the twenty minutes? Uncle Georg
), consented very discontentedly, and yer
grudgingly moved his long legs to admit @
= the entry of very stout old gentleman,wh
u sat heavily down, and received into his an
pie lap perfect pile of packages and bash
y cts, and brace of hares, and rabbit tie
by the legs, which he had dexterously SUI
pended by string around his neck.
IL "Not worth while, indeed, my dear mac
u am" he said, as Edith began to make roo
for his things "Only twenty minutes-n
u inconvenience, assure you"
i The heavily weighted train moved OF
The old gentleman now began series
playful bows which made the hares and raj
u bit dance up and down.
ut really was too good of you to adm
L an old fogy like me" he said, blandly "f
Il of course with half an eye can see the te
der situation"
II A deep growl from Uncle George. +
gave a, little start and went on to hin
o self
4 Sweet young couple just welded eh
Edith. felt half choked with laughter, b
: she managed to say convulsively
), "Will you give me my book, Unc
George ?"
The old gentleman started, cooked his he
'. like a blackbird does when he perceives
= very fat worm, and muttered:
N impossible"
'e Edith and George were wrapped in tn,
g. respective novels. The old gentleman fid
a eted, sighed and arranged his features in
most sanctimonious expression. The
was dead silence till he reached his static
where he descended. The departure b
was ringing, when his head suddenly rea
is peared at the window, the hares and rabl
d, streaming wildly from the back of his nee
~ "My children" he said, "take my advi
ct go back to your friends. This" lit
shrek ended his discourse; the train v
| going on, and he, being borne along on
" step involuntarily, two stout porters rush
to the rescue and lifted him off. Edith a
Il, George laughed till the tears ran down tn
all cheeks.
'r- 81 could eat again, with little pers
sion" said George, presently,
. "Why, what o'clock is it?'
to "Just five, and we shall not get in
5le eight thirty. Remember that we had
'eI luncheon at twelve"
an 4 4