Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-07-16
Seleetea sBistellaug
THROUGH THE TUNNEL.

1t was bright, clear, cold morning in
the early December. When Katie entered
the car there was scarcely a vacant seat to
be seen. TO be sure there was one stout old
gentleman sitting alone, but he was next
the aisle, and seemed TO be so deeply alb
sorbed in thought, that Katie disiked to
disturb him. Then there was middle
aged woman, but she had numberless wraps
and parcels on the seat beside her and appear
ance like her all in all, was 80 forbidding as
she looked flxedly out of the window, that
Katie passed her by. There was but one
more seat unoccupied. 1t was beside a
gentleman who sat close by the window
reading paper.
as this seat engaged ~ asked Katie with
timid hesitancy.
at is not" was the answer, in pleasant
tone; "bnt," springing up as he spoke,
"would you prefer the seat by the window p
"Oh, no Thank you. Not at all p MUIR
INJURED Katie, and she sat down beside him.
The gentleman turned his attention again
to his paper, and Katie Immediately fell TO
wishing she had taken the seat by the win
dow. For the gentleman sat at her right
hand and her purse was in her cloak pocket,
and had not aunt Kate warned her over
and over again to be on her guard against
pickpockets and declared that they were
quite as likely 10 be young, agreeable and
polite as the reverse. And was not this
person all threeY Katie stole shy glance at
him. His dark eyes were ntently fixed on
his newspaper He was fine looking and
well dressed, and to all intents quite oblivi-
Gus Of her existence Katie wondered de-
murely what sort Of an expression his face
would wear If he knew that any one thought
he might, perhaps, be a pickpocket.
She might take her purse and hold 1t in
her hand, but that would Gpen psteniatous
and tiresome moFeover there would be am
pie time for that when the gentleman--he
looked like n gentleman certainly-should
put down his paper, and Kate could no
loIfser watch his hands.
Then Katie's thoughts slipped into more
agreeable channel. She thought Of the Christ
mas gifts she was going 10 buy, and Of other
shopping she was going TO do. II was her
first trip To Boston quite alone. Aunt Kate
had always been with her before, TO take
care of her and help her b. select the Christ
mas gifts, but this year aunt Kates rheuma-
tism was 80 much worse than usual, that
she did not hope 10 be equal to a trip to
Boston for the winter; and ~ IL was al
ready nearing Christmas, there was nothing
10 be done but let Katie go alone. And so
it came about that Katie, feeling quite old
aud responsible, was on her way, this bright
December morning, n lhe city. She men
tally planned her day's work, and portioncd
out her money for the various things she
wanted 10 buy. There was book for her
Sunday school teacher, and shell comb
for aunt Kate the engraving for cousin viii,
that must ESPECIALLY fine and nicely framed,
since IL was 10 do double duty M a Christ
mas and wedding gift. Should II be a
copy Of some celebrated old picture, or some
attractive group, full Of life aud interest
While Katie was trying 10 decide this ques.
ton, and was reviewing with her minds eye
all the finest and most beautiful cngrayings
that she had seen the train swept into the
tunnel.
As IL grew dark the gentleman beside her
put down his paper turning slightly 10.
wards Katie rs he did 70. And then Katie
was sure she felt n stealing motion towards
her cloak pocket. Quick as thought her.
hand went down 10 seize her purse, when
oh, horrDrs--tberc was mans hand Ia her
pocket Katie did not withdraw her hand
ON the contrary, being resolved ~ protect
her property at all hazards, she felt alQpt
with hog fingoIa ~ vol W sliO could ipr
her purse, but could not hnd H. Then
Katie selzcd the lntruding hand with
nrmness u desperation, fully determined ~
make an alarm ~ so0n ~ the cars emerged
into daylight again A. he did not have