Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-08-22
ON THE MORNING MAIL,

Y On the morning mail from London to
b.
Punch, the Graphic and the Times I
had devoured in cold blood-and now
what worlds more remained to be con-
quered?
| became sensible of q tendency to
drowsiness. The trains monotonous
quiver soothed me. | Iuourted slumber,
but the thought of Uncle Melancthons
terrible words abrogated all treaties
'twixt my weary soul and Morpheus.
Truly, was embarked On a curious en-
terprise. Uncle Melancthon, my guar
dian, a wealthy old bachelor, whose
money had put me through Oxford, and
from whom | had great expectations,
had very lately figured in the role of
matchmaker, giving me to understand
that henceforth / should devote the bulk
of my affections to a certain specified
young lady-altogether unknown to me
as yet-or, failing to do so, leave his
house and cease to hope for future favors
at his hands.
At first, | absolutely declined to fall in
with my peremptory old uncle's plans
for my welfare, whereupon my allow
ance, a generous one, was stopped, and |
was soon brought down into the deepest
depths of despair. The matter ended by
a compromise, the main proviso of
which was that | should visit Duns-
combe Hall, where lived my fate, and
try my best to fall in love- And it was
on this errand that was now bound.
Now, Tom" Uncle Melancthon had
remarked a few days previous to my
departure from London, " here is pic
ure Of Gwendoline Dunscombe, your
future wife. The dear girl sent it at my
request in return for yours. My sight is
very dim, but / can see it is handsome,
you know"
Which quality, as I studied the photo
graph while jouneying toward the origi-
nal, failed to perceive. The face pre-.
sented was that as had protested to
my uncle-of plain spinster of forty,
with three teeth to a jaw.
AS the train slowed up preparatory to
a stoppage | collapsed into shapeless
mass of comfort, hoping to woo and win
slumber in the quiet existing between a
stoppage and start.
had well-nigh crossed the boundary
separating reality land from the land OF
Nod, when was rudely restored to my
senses by hearing the guard sing out, as
lie Openeu Ulle CdIIldgc uOOT.
First ticket, mump Wexed
that / can't haccommodate yer with a
vacant carriage; this ERE is the best ]
can do. Only a young gent in ere.
P'raps ye won't mind i'm; 'e's a hinno-
cent-looking chap"
With the above introduction / opened
my eyes in time to see young lady enter
She was very beautiful-dark-e eyed
with raven hair, and possessed charm
ing proportion of deliciously nodded
enlbonpotfst. A travelling dress fitted hel
lovely, graceful figure to perfection.
took in all these charms at glance,
and instantly inaugurated laborious
cherishing of my whiskers.
AS / recall the situation now, after s
lapse of many years. remember being
vain youth that was-a good deal as
tonished that my fair visitant seemed il
no appreciable measure impressed witt
my dignity of department or my profu
sion OF whiskers.
On the contrary, she appeared to b'
cool and collected, bearing ill-conceale(
evidence OF amusement upon her expires
sively angelic countenance and, trutl
to tell, I could not help thinking that TIN
insolent speech OF the guard in connec
tion with my humb, { self had somethin,
to do with her amusement.
| looked, am afraid, a little sheepish
and was angry with myself for SO ap
pearing. Hang the girl!i' / thought
gazing sulkily at her; whereat, to m
astonishment, she stuffed her handkel
chief into her mouth, and gave vent to
. little scream of laughter, saying;