West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-01-19


tables and eating away as if for dear
life.
Having procured the best that the
house afforded, he handed them through
the window to his fair charge, and then
paced the platform, too agitated to eat
any thing himself
A plump white hand beckoned him
Can you get cup of tea. pleaseg'
y, yes, he could get twenty
One would do, and she had il i'm n
twinkling. Then the bell rang, the
whistle blowed cali aboardw and the
train was again jogging along.
As the car was now not more than
half full, Vivian debated with himself
as he walked toward the seat, whether
or no he was not bound in politeness, 10
sit elsewhere. The lady solved the
knotty point for him by again making
room and looking an invitation TO take
his old seat, which we may be pretty
certain he did.
:" OF course you lost my purse in the
crowdm
An electric battery couldn't have pro-
duced greater shock.
Upon my word" (recovering) al
never thought of it from the moment
you handed it TO me till now. Lose it?
No; never lose any thing" said he,
returning the article.
=" You have not taken out the pay for
my supper" she said
" Nor shall / il was pay enough TO
see you enjoying your meal"
Some observing soul has told the
world that young ladies lose their
charms when eating, and this one was
evidently familiar with the old maxim,
for she smiled knowingly at the intended
compliment, and merely replying, "I
hate tiatterers," was proceeding TO re-
open her novel-it being yet light
enough TO read-when Vivian made a
bold dash, and inquired the name of the
book.
1t was Dickens's Little Dorritt," and
the mention of that admired author led
TO an interesting discussion of writer's
and their works, followed by discussion
on other subjects, and a general draw
ing out" of each others opinions and
characters. Thus it happened that
when old Sol had gone to rest, and
night had fairly come, they were so
much interested in the conversation, and
the cars made so much more noise than
before, 1T became necessary TO put their
heads quite close together, and Vivian
even presumed so (or forgot himself) az
TO place his arm over the back of the
seat, with hand resting lightly on his
companions shoulder.
The cars and their tongues ratified
on together, but finally the former got
the best OF it, and a gradual silence
seemed TO settle over all the passengers.
On, on, sped the putting engine drowsy
grew the weary travellers; close and
closer did Vivian get to his sleepy charge,
and at last, laying aside her bonnet, she
gave herself up to Morpheus, and
leaned her tired head against our heros
manly breast.
Whewl How they did go
"si1ging through the forest,
hatuing over Tidgts,
Shooting under arches,
Rumbling over bridges,
Whizzing through the mountains
Buzzing DER the vale
Bless mel this Is pleasant,
Riding on a rail"
Vivian-ah, Vivian That would
have been the pleasantest ride of all thy
life, bad it not been for-those horrible
suspicious for the second time! Yes,
they would be heard in spite of him; he
couldn't ward them Off
Look at il calmly, now. Here she
such close proximity, tool Had she not
enticed him to sit by her, when the car
was half empty2 Had she not encour-
aged him to become familiar? Had she
not shown in a dozen ways that she
was partial to his presence? Certainly
she had-and he would keep his eyes
Open-he wasn't to be caught mapping
= not heW Thus it was that his first
pleasurable emotions in his imaginary
role of guardian angel were turned to
watchful care-not of the sleeping
maiden--but of his pocketbookl
Eleven o'clock was striking on the
city bells as the cars rushed into the
depot at Chicago. The stopping of the
train became, as usual, the signal of a
general hustle Of departure, and our un-
known hererOine, waking up in a hurry,
began, in a rather unherOine manner. to
fasten on her bonnet and attend
70 the usual number Of miscel-
laneOus bundles that women will
carry when travelling. Vivian had
got on his OvercOat, and-must
IL be confessed was examining his
pockets First, the left-hand trowsers;
all right. Then its compatriot on the
other side all r-i-g-h-t-where was the
NAfe AhtNAF hN AhA Hub ~ lutb budL
pOcket-'twasn' there nOw-perhaps i'm
his vest--nO-must be i'm his coat--nOt
there either2 Strange He tries all the
pockets over again, and by this time
our young lady, being ready 70 depart,
notices the search, and innocently in
quires what he has lost.
You haven't noticed n baggage check
lying around loose, have your
" No, sir. T. that what you arc look
ing forT
Yes, it is, madam and what's more,
] believe you have got it,"
Sir
90, you needn't put on your dignity
II know you now, aud IL you don't give
up that check quietly, I shall be 30 very
rude a. 10 hand you over to the police" !"
The look Of astonishment and horror
with which she listened b the terrible
words he considered rs part Of the game.
Not a doubt remained In his mind but
that she had taken his check and in
tended 10 get possession Of bis trunk and
its contents
let me pass, sirp
So you won give it up peaceably?
Very well and Vivian followed her
ont Of the car through the crowd into
the ladies' room. a policeman was in
stantly summoned, the accusation made.
and a search demanded, followed by q
fsnufnua nrur 20 frnra from, one 49,