The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-10-16
THE SrORYLOF a TICKET AGENT.

sympathizingly.
when is the next Western-pou train
due?"
mot till six o clock. You have Ave hours
to wait: Be dreadful tt 'esome ma'am. There's
q nice family that live In t'other part Of tho
house; s'pose tote you in there. i know
Mrs. Holly'n give you q bite to eat and she'll
be proud to let you rest on her spare bed
Fine woman, Mrs. Holly is; knows her.
Won't you go in and see her, ma'am9'
NO, thank YOU sir. dare say that I'll be
quite comfortable here"
wall, jess AS you please But now must
be going. Il pc you'll git to your journeys
end safe, ma'am. Goed-by."
And Farmer Brown left the room, mounted
his wagon, and soon disappeared down the
dusty road,
II had been visiting a friend who lived in a
country settlement some five or six miles
from the solitary building dignitled 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
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 length of time that, as the
reader knows, was too late for the train. n
After Farmer Brown left mo, Iamused my
self by reading newspaper which some one
had left lyngiin the seat. s
Finishing this, studied the design Of the
puptF, COuutcu Ouo pduCo VI Sldso IL CAO
little window, and wondered at the tidiuess Of
the whole apartment.
Country depots are generally such vile,
dirty places! Wonder why this is an excep
tion?'' said to myself. Then a thought
struck me; %, probably tho place is kept
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 in!" said CHEEKY voice, and enter
ing, found myself in one of the prettiest,
cOsiest rooms / had ever seen. y i5@
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 room look so "homeY"
and pleasant. ... A.ra
And, most charming OF oil, there lay in
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 woman of twenty-five or
three-a little mite of a woman, with bright,
dark face wildly colored, big black eyes,
braids about her stately head. t. =
She rose with bright smile when I en-
tered.
glass of water?" 74s IS. r. .~..
mo 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, saucer Of luscious strawberries, and
plate ofyellow sponge cake, light as yellow
foam.
pardon me,n she said smiling, eff I take
too great a 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!" exclaim-
ed, in pleased surprise.
mot at all. It is a 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 a little white bedroom, the
very heart of cleanliness and purity.
In little while was different being from
the cross, dusty, hungry mortal who had sat
in the hot waiting room. .zl & .sy} vii.
1 found Mrs. Holly perfect little gem of a
woman, and, after the manner Of our sex, we
known each other for years. And while3I was
lying languidly on her comfortable sofa, and
she seated in her low rocking chair, stitching
away at her baby's dress, le told me the
romance of her life.
Il have lived in this depot all my days." she
began. my father was agent here, and he
served the company SO long and so we'll that
when he died they kindly allowed me to re-
main in his place, with the same wages, too.
For, you see, was seventeen, and father had
long before taught me telegram and all the
other work. About a 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
him an honest, likely young f. low. He
thought the world IT me, and we became en-
gagged. But you know how girls are. The
weakest OF them can make strong man
tremble.'' ..# f.
"a weak, white girl held all his heart.
strings in her small, white hand said.
YES, and dare say I often pulled Jacks
heart-strings rather hard; but he was gentle
and kind when I tlirted with the county lads,
and when was wild and maynard he didn't
demonstrate. But one day there came along
city chap, who engaged board for the sum-
This Clarence Devarges as he was called,
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 dotted on in
MI. Devarges when he offered me his atten-
tions. firted most dreadfully with him, till
even generous Jack was displeased,
Zone morning, looking somewhat grave
ana SAD, be came into the ticketOffice. 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 Devarges. I see it
is going beyond mere tlirtation.'
pray, what of it.?
"'Only that do not want nv future wife's
name Joined with that Of a" Jack paused,
then added, earnestly, well, I warn YOU
against this fellow. Who knows what he is p
Mr.. Deyarges is perfect gentleman,
and that is more than I can saw of some
others! said, holly; and then some demon
prompted me to add, And, Mr.. Holly, in re-
gard TO your future wife, I believe I do not
aspire to that honor-and- here is YOUR
ring drew off the little golden band. and
handed it to him. - -
"'Nell, do you mean thisr inquired Jack.
with his white lips.
".Yes, do Pm tired Of your carping and
criticising. This affair may as well be ended
now and forever pettishly.
So be it, then. Goodbye said Jack. and
without another word he left the room.
''Io tell the truth i hadn't meant half said
| and every minute expected that Jack would
KISS me and we'd make up. But now he was
| gone forever. Amlst came over nv ewes as
watched the first-disappcaring train. and I
would have INDUCED in good cry. bit lust
| then the special came putting up. and the
president of the road came in TIE was a lind