Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-10-11

| episode OF travel but at midday to
rush from the clear light into an abyss
of darkness side by side with living be-
ings, some of whom may be monsters
to have the sensitive sense of sound
shattered by unearthly thundefs TO
strain the startled eyesight Vainly for q
glimpse of outlet one loop for sunny
air in the hortid archway and 30 to
blindly rush, or be rushed rather,
through the bowels of the earth minute
after minute, and no possible hope of
stopping, no possible hope of taking
wing upward and out OF it-this 30 q
novice gifted with busy imagination and
unblunted by oft-repeated experience is
an adventure about as near the penance
OF being driven through a passage of
purgatory as innocent virtue is capable
OF. To Zaidee it was an interval Of
terror nothing but direct pride kept her
from reaching with trembling hands the
strong arm of her companion, and cling
ing with closed eyes to the vague sense
of protection that comes to childish
femininity in the assuring touch of the
manly broadcloth.
When, finslly, the cars emerged into
clear daylight, Zaidee, white as ghost,
was found sitting bolt-upright, with
eyes fixed on her deadly upas in abiect
imploring; and as he looked directly at
her, he gave response Immediately.
"Qulte long tunnel, said Theodore
Maxwell.
Eternal gasped Zaidee.
"a fine piece of masonry" said he.
Like the descent in averne' of
DANTE" said Zaidee.
"Do you read Dante?" he asked.
quickly. "And do you love him too
de is one OF my favorte authors his
genius makes the impossible possible,
He Is Ike all gifted souls, all gifted
eras he q like the age we live in, that
ma kEes, and ought to make, and will
+ make the impossible possible"
The cold, hard, distrustful face glow
ed with a thrilling stir. A chance
word had struck vein of enthusiasm.
Zaidee's terror gave place to astonish-
ment. She did not reflect that the
mention of an authors name may be
like witch. hazel, the divining-rod of
precious metals. But she appreciated
that her companion was changed man.
They talked Dante then they talked
Tyndall. They had both read more
than one of Tyndall's books, and had
heard several of his delightful lectures.
Conversation dwindled and died out.
The travellers returned to their books,
and to occasional studies of the scenery,
which became. as they advanced, more
and more wild and romantic. So noon
and afternoon passed, till place was
reached where The train stopped to al
low the passengers to dine. Zaidee had
biscuits and fruit in her sachel MIR.
Maxwell brought her a emp of coffee,
waited until she had drunk it, and then
went out of the Car for his lunch.
"He is half nice, half horrid, !"
thought Zaidee, in her school girl Ian
guage, as she watched him depart.
Time sped, the cars went on their way,
ami he did not return. Then she was
seized with anxiety, and with trouble
for herself too, for night would soon
come, and she had all the timidity of in
experience in travelling alone. He is
better than no one," she thought.
"Oh, / wish he would come back
again |" These considerations caused
her when, after leisurely cigar in the
smoking car, he did come, to give him,
and with a bright flush of joy, radiant
smile of greeting.
A lcok of surprise, of pleasure, and of
unmistakable friendliness lighted Theo-
dore Maxwells face in answer to this
demonstration. "She is the sweetest
little creature I ever met" he thought
"what pity that she must soon become
altogether woman, and cease to be a
child Children are the only human
beings I have any faith in. And they
always like me. She likes me, too,
very evidently. She could not have
given me such smile as that if she did
not thoroughly like me-"
Oh masculine vanity But if, as some
philosophers assert, the end of educa-
tion in to direct vanity to the highest
objects" then this weakness of strong
man makes it possible for woman to be-
come potent educator.
Theodore Maxwell had brought to
Eaidee guidebook sold on the train,
containing views of the scenery through
which their road lay. These views
they looked them over together-we
chiefly Of wild nature subjected to mar
by mechanical strokes of genius, ant
they awakened Maxwell's keenest ap
probation. He explained to the chile
some of the majestic and patient pro
cesees by which the solid sovereigntie,
over space and difficulty are projected
and accomplished.
To Uas1aa Iha mould e -,
something so august and incomprehensi
BILE that the apostle OF their significanc,
loomed up in her reverential imagina
tion as superior being, sort of intel
lectual Titan, to whom the removing O
, mountains, the spanning of torrents, th,
uniting of distances, were bat sleight
of-hand play. She listened really fer
vently. She began to admire this earn
est, thoughtful man at her side and he
on his part, was kindled by the electri
listening of his fresh and vital littl
auditor.
, Twilight closed upon them, after tn
: loveliest sunset that ever flushed hill
? and streams of western bounteousnes
with gold and crimson glory -twilieh
that draws from depths innermost wha
, daylight disdains to stoop for; an
3 Theodore Maxwell became not onl
communicative, but positively oonfiden
r tial.
? AS prelude 10 confidence, he toll
Zaidee that he was going to California
8 and she exclaimed, ioyfully - surel
q masculine vanity did not exaggerat
t masculine attractions now - "Why
I there is where Aunt Clarence is goin
I to take me, if 1 only reach her in tim
n to San Francisco
t "We will 60 there together" sal
i Maxwell and Immediately he began I
Q unfold to Zaidee the secret of his erran
y to the West 1t appears that along thos
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