The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-09-24


"WelI done, Philip Your bread
is buttered for you," he exclaimed
when he had heard me to the end.
"W hat a glorious chance Man alive
[ wish I were in your shoes, that's
all.
eyes yes, my boy. All right p |
exclaimed. "Well, it's shame if /
don't secure a good smoke now, be-
fore my pipe goes out in obscurlty.
Do you object to smoke, sir 2"
This latter question was addressed
to the old gentleman in the corner
who appeared curious mass OF old
coats, railway rugs and newspapers.
Il do object very much" was the
gruffly spoken reply.
every sorry sir" said |. "I'll keep
my head out of the window then"
Shame seizes me when I recall this
incident. In lieu Of attending to the
old mans wishes,I coolly lit my pipe
and though I knew the wind would
blow the smoke right into his eyes
though l heard him growing with
rage-I pulled on heedlessly |
should be sorry to be so rude now,
but you see l was young and excited.
The short January afternoon was
drawing to close, and very soon after
we were dependent for light on the
lamp that hung from the centre Of
the carriage root.
Whether it was the old mans ex
ample who had gone to sleep, OF the
monotonous noise Of the train as it
sped along, or that our powers OF
chatting were exhausted, knew not,
but anyhow, we TOO, began to feel in
clined for a nap But we found the
lamp an intolerable nuisance with it's
necessarily Pickering light.
Bother it Can't we blow it outS"
l exclaimed.
"Not if we cracked our cheeks.
But I've a notion Y cried ever ready
witted Jack GLAND me the old boys
hat"
"Whatever tor?o as | handed him
the article in question. 1t was worn
and rusty but well brushed and well
shaped.
"To make an extinguisher Of" re-
piled Jack; and so saying he fitted
it on the lamp, making the globe act
like the bald head ofthe owner ot,the
tightly as to keep well in its place.
The arrangement answered splen-
didly, and not a glimmerof light was
to be seen,
When the train stopped at Swim
don we awoke and rushed out of the
carriage to get refreshments, quite
forgetting our tellow-passenger and
his hat. On returning we found they
had both flown. The train started,
and when we arrived at Gloucester,
Jack left me. [ had a cool lonely
Journey to my destination, a little
station just below Hereford. When
I arrived, it was nine o'clock dark,
raw night; I was very sleepy and
tired. For some moments could
not find my portmanteau; then my
hat box was missing, and while was
searching, the guard was exclaiming
about the delay of the train. At last
it was all found, the guard whistled,
the train moved off, and | was stand
inc on little country platform, in a
strange place.
"AnY cabs or fys to be got here ?"
l asked the station master"
Dear me, no, sir" was the reply.
"But we can get you something down
in tie town. Where is to, sir 7"
II want to get to Mr.. Fosberry's
of Castle Hail." replied.
| paced the wretched little station
till the conveyance came, with my
mind full Of the coming meeting. [
asked the driver how far we had to
go.
4How far, sir ?" said he. sob,
about four miles"
/ got III, and we bowled along the
dark narrow lanes. After half an
hours drive we entered some hand
some iron gates, and drove into what
seemed to me now, in the dim light
o very extensive park. The whole
aspect impressed me with the idea OF
d grand estate, and / questioned the
driver on the subject.
Indeed, it is big place, sir" he
replied. "'Tis about fifteen miles
around the estate. Eth, Mr.. Eos
berry's very rich. People do say he
has two hundred thousand pounds to
leave, if he's penny, besides this
property"
My driver jumped down and pulled
the bell. The peal resounded through
IL, ho...., IL IL .,ln,,cr l,f frnn1nnt.