Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-05-30

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'sClifton, what fool you are!'' cried
Hatfield, in an impatient soto voice.
"Why couldn't you have sat still and mind
ed your own business?"
cit is my own business" I answered
brusquely, "to see that every lady is made
as comfortable as it is in the nature Of
things to be. Now the squirrel cage, na'am
it'll 60 very comfortably under the seat
I think.
Hatfield uttered contemptuous grunt,
but he never offered to take his feet from
off the opposite cushions, although the
younger woman stood in the aisle, uncsm-
fortably swaying backward and forward
with the motion of the train, until wo-
man beyond, observing the state Of affairs,
drew sleeping child into her lap, and
beckoned the other to take the place thus
vacated.
By this time the old lady had establish
ed herself to her entire satisfaction, and
opened her sandwich box.
"Much obliged to you, young man." said
she. tits easy to see that you've mo-
ther of your own at home. and that you're
in the habit of doing reverence to her gray
hairs. AS for this person''-with a nod Of
her poke bonnet in the direction Of Mr..
Hatfeld-''if he's got mother can't say
much for her bringing up of him. Perhaps
he may be old himself one day, and stand
in need of a little politeness and considera-
tion from the young"
"When I'm anxious for your good opin-
ion, ma am. I'll let you know" returned
Mr.. fairfield, rather flippantly.
The old lady could only express herself
by vehement sniff. And oven I was q
little annoyed at his manner.
'Hatfeld.' said I in low tone, ''you
might behave like gentleman"
$50 WILL" he retorted. with shrug,
''when 1 find myself in company that calls
for such treatment.
1 said no more, but leaning up against
the side of the door. prepared to mako my
self as comfortable as possible until the
train should stop at Stamford, its first
way station. and some descending passeD-
gers might make room for me.
Reader, did you ever stand in an express
train in full motion? Did you ever feel
yourself swayed backward and forward,
humping one of your psychological devel-
opments against one side. of the Car and
bringing the base of your spinal column
against thu top of seat at the opposite
IF {ho in hid
blindly at nothing for supportp-Dld you
ever execute an involuntary pas seul, by
way of keeping your balance, and then
grind your teeth to see the two pretty
young ladies beyond laughing at your an
tics? If so, you will know how to pity me
during the hour and half between b
aud Stamford.
Hatfield went to sleep and snored; the
old lady in the gigantic bonnet ate sand
wiches and drank from wicker flask of ex.
cellently smelling sherry; tho young lady
sat as noiselessly as a black-veiled statue
fretful babies whimpered, old gentlemen ut.
tered strange sounds in their sleep; the
lights fared like sickly moons overhead
and the shrek of the train as it few
through tho sleeping villages, sounded like
the yell of fiery throated demon.
'sStamford!'' bawled the conductor.
At last I succeeded in dropping my
weary and stiffened limbs into seat,
where slumber overlook me in just min.
ute and quarter; for had been ASLEEP
on my legs once or twice, even in my for
mer disadvantageous attitude, and coulG
scarcely believe the evidences of my owl
senses when we finally Numbered into tn.
echoing vastness of the Grand Central De
pot in New York.
Hatfield, alive to the necessity of catch
| ing car before the whole world of tray
elers should crowd into it, stumbled ovel
the old lady's ankles with small ceremony
"Oh, take care! You've knocked thu
squirrel cage over!::' cried she.
''Confound' the squirrel cage!" shouted
Hatfield, crashing his teeth, as the an
Gent dame placed herself directly in thu
aisle to set the furry pet up again, there
by completely blocking up his egress.
''Served you right, Hatfield" said I, al
I stopped to assist.
just then the young companion of oul
lady advanced, flinging back her veil.
"Grandma," said she, ''the carriage ii
waiting. I'll send Thomas for the par
cells. MIR. Clifton, am very much Obliged
to you for your pollteness to my grand
mother, who is unused to travelling. A
to Mr.. Hatheld-the less said about hi
courtesy, the better" And Beatrice Hale1
black eyes flashed disdainfully on Clar
ence's cowed visage.
''Miss Hale" he stammered, III Ia tn
least idea who you we're
"You would have regulated your con