Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-06-12
ONLY A PRIVATE.

"This way, Miss Pearl, and SEQ
that don't lose you in the crowd,
said handsome Fred Rayburn
lsnghingly, as he eibowed his way
through the confusion of hackmen
police and travellers that prevent
ed his reaching the northern cars.
Pearl "obeyed ORDERS" laughing
slyly, as she thought, "What a
figure my new gray poplin will be
by the time get to seat I" But
Just rs they neared the cars she
noticed in front of them a soldier
upon clutches, in faded uniform,
who was vainly endeavoring to
push his way along.
"Now," quoth kind little Pearl
to herself, "I'll make Fred help
that poor fellow little" So in a
half whisper to Fred: "Mr. Ray
burn, don't you think that soldier
in front of us needs helping hand ?
Let me take your left arm while
you assist him with your right to
reach the platform"
"Nonsense, Miss Pearl. He is
only some poor devil of a private,
and used to getting along by him
self, I'll warrant. A jump now" as
they reared the car, land you
are all right"
An indignant flush mounted
Pearls face, as she sprung lightly
upon the platform, and regardless
of her escorts haste, stopped a
moment before entering the car
to see hou "the private" Jared.
At that moment a robust female.
laden with the usual -big box, little
box, band-box and buudle," passed
by him so suddenly that his right
crutch fell to the ground. He
staggered moment, then stood
still, unable to bend his wounded
limb and recover his crutch.
"Such a shamey' and Pearl was
off ia moment, aud the soldier saw
a lovely, flushing face pick up the
cruteh and hand it to him. 81
hope yon are not hurt" she said.
'Come right upon the platform :"
and she offered her hand to assist
him.
"Niss Pearl, what are you ahoutr
exclaimed her astonished escort.
"You ought to be ashamed of
yourself" was the reply, as she
coolly landed the soldier up the
platform as well as Rayburu could
have done. Then, entering the
car in a small tempest of wrath,
she swept her shawl aud basket
from the window where Fred had
placed them, and, motioning the
stanger to the seat, sat down beside
him.
The discounted young man was
oblidged to seek q seat elsewhere,
while Pearl coolly took book and
commenced to read, not, however,
without noticing the amused
glance from the blue eye of the
soldier, or the daggers Ito use a
common expression) with which
young Rayburn was watching her.
The fact was Fred was terrible
smitten both with the charms OF
Pearl Kellogg aud her fortune, for
Pearl was beauty and an heiress.
and owned fine establishment in
New York, matronized by her aunt,
o gay widow Of FIVE and forty.
Fred's suit had gone on smoothly
enough, and he had fully deter
mined that this leafy month Of July
was TO decide it all. So his heart
beat high when he was asked by
Mrs. Kellogg to join their select
party at west point, by escorting
Miss Pearl there, on her return
from a sojourn in the Eastern
States.
"Well.' soliloquized he, as the
train moved ont Of the depot, and
Pearl sat wraihfully reading. never
vouchsailng him q stray look, "wbai
IN oddly she isl The idea Of her
making so much of a high old
private like this one CHANGING con-
temptousIy at the faded uniform.
eIndeed.S ouoth Pearl TO herself,