New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-10-23
THE STORY OF A TICKET AGENT.

t'Western train'sgone, ma'am,' said Farm
er Brown, coming into the waiting room Of
the little depot.
1.-THE train was to take?' said gasping
eyes ma'.m Too bad, but can't be helped.
Harness will give out sometimes, you know"
sympathizingly.
0When is the next Western-bound train
due?'
"Not till six O. clock. You have five hours
to wait. Be dreadful ii .esome ma'am. There's
nice family that live in t'other part OF the
house; s'pose I tote you in there. know
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"
wall, jess as you please, But now must
e ee dg ea ySS oadgb BIT 70 your
And Farmer Brown left the room, mounted
his wagon, and soon disappeared down the
'Ihad been visi ing friend who lived in a
country settlement, some five or six miles
from the solitary building digniied by the
name of depot, and when the time came for
me to return home, she placed me in the care
OF neighboring farmer, who was going to a
distant village and would pass the station.
During our ride we met with an accident.
Part of the harness gave way, and we were
detained such a length of time that, as the
reader knows, was too late for the train.
After Farmer Brown left me, amused my
self by reading newspaper which some one
had left lying in the seat
Finishing this, I studied the design of the
wallpaper, counted the panes OF glass in the
little window, and wondered at the tidiaess of
the whole apartment
dirty places! Wonder why this is an excep
tion?' I said to myself. Then thought
struck me- 20, probably the place is kept
clean by Mrs. Holly, over whose virtues Farm
er Brown was so enthusiastic. Wonder if this
same worthy female would give me glass of
water?' and tapped on the door communi-
eating with the other apartment.
"Come I'M" said CHEEKY voice, and enter
ing, found myself in one Of the prettiest,
cosiest rooms | had ever seen.
The most delicate tint of buff was on the
walls, cool mating covered the floor, muslin
curtains, festooned with ivy, hung at the win
dows, and here and there were pictures, brack:
cts, books and flowers, and all the dain tv be-
longings that make a room look so "homey'
and pleasant,
And, most charming of all, there Law in a
wh:te-draped cradle rosy baby, fast asleep,
with rings of golden hair over his white brow
and the great red velvety rose clasped in his
dimpled hand
Over him bent a woman of Twenty-Five or
three-a little mite Of a woman, with bright,
dark face wildly colored, big black eyes,
and wonderous dark hair wound in heavy
braids about her stately head
She rose with bright smile when I en-
tered.
Excuse me; but may trouble you for a
glass of water?"
"No trouble at all, ma'am. Pray be seated
Excuse me-" and she left the room.
Presently she returned, bearing salver
covered with snowy white napkin, and con-
tanning glass of water, a glass Of creamy
milk, a saucer of luscious strawberries, and a
plate OF yellow sponge cake, light as yellow
foam.
pardon me-" she said smiling, eff I take
too great liberty; but, you see, Farmer
Brown told me of your being obliged to wait
so long, and thought you might be hungry"
why, how very kind you are!'' I exclaim-
ed, in pleased surprise.
'Not at all. 1t is pleasure to me. II you
are not and dusty, perhaps you'd like to battle
your face. If so, just step in here;' and she
led the way into little white bedroom, the
very heart of cleanliness and purity.
In a little while l was different being from
the cross, dusty, hungry mortal who had sat
in the hot waiting room.
found Mrs. Holly perfect little gem of a
woman, and, after the manner of our sex, we
soon became as we'll acquainted as if we had
known each other for years. And while was
lying languidlY on her comfortable sofa, and
she seated in her low rocking chair, stitching
away at her baby's dress, s ne told me the
romance of her life.
II have lived Ia this depot all my days. she
began. "My father was agent here, and he
served the company so long and so well that
when he died they kindly allowed me to re-
main in his place, with the same wages, too.
For, you see, I was seventeen, and father had
long before taught me telegram and all the
other work. About year after fathers death
l became acquainted with Jack Jack Holly
my husband;" and Mrs. Holly looked up
and smiled.
"Jack was one of the best engineers on the
road (and now, too), and every one considered
thought the world Of me, and we became en-
gagged. But you know how girls are. The
weakest OF them can make a strong man
tremble.''
GA weak, white girl held all his heart
strings in her small, white hand, I said.
YES, and L dare say | often pulled Jacks
heart strings rather hard; but he was gentle
and kind when flirted with the country lads,
and when was wild and hayward he didn't
demonstrate. But one day there came along
city chap, who engaged board for the sum-
mer at farmhouse in the neighborhood.
was handsome, well-dressed, and had that
polished, indescribable air that is so fascinat-
ing to most silly girls. Jack was kind and
well-mannered but he didn't have a bit of style
about him, and style was what I dotted on in
those days; so snubbed Jack, and smiled on
Mr. Devarges when he offered me his atten-
tions. firted most dreadfully with him, till
even generous Jack was displeased,
Zone morning, looking somewhat grave
and sad, be came into the ticket-office. The
last passenger had gone, and the train was
moving out. jacks train had stopped to take
on freight.
"sWell, how long is this thing going to
last? said Jack.
What thing?' I snapped out.
"'Why, this affair with Devarpes T see r.