Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-11-06

tory leave-taking. Then the numbering
coach drove off. and The happy girl left
Perryvillc behind her
The sun had shown its MONDAY to the
city of Springfield when the fair traveller
reached there, and was set down at the
depot There never was 17-year-old
maiden before who saw Springfield in
such brilliant light as she saw it. Tt
the country girl it was something like
paradise, but it was not BOSTON
The eastern-bound train came in, and
Jennie dutifully obeyed her fathers IN
structions to take the rear car the mo-
ment that the train stopped at the depot.
There were but two or three vacant seats,
and she chose the one nearest the door.
multitude of forebOdings and wonder
ings filed her mind. She thought OF
the possibility Of an accident, of the rate
OF speed that the train would run, of the
route, the great Boston beyond, and lit.
tie Perryville left behind. Mentally she
ran over her fathers many injunctions
IN regard To board bills, car fare, extor-
tionate hackmen, and especially about
pickpockets.
Once on time she had read in the
H",kty Gazette a story of lady's ad-
venture with pickpocket, wherein that
parsonage was described az a modern
Claude Duval, handsome, black.whis-
kered, and wearing aD immaculate suit
OF black and a silk beaver. The story
REQUIRED to her mind, and instinctively
she looked about the car for one who
should have the appearance that the stO-
ry had named. She started the next
moment. In the seat directly before
her sat a gentleman, tall, noble looking,
and dressed in faultless black. A long
and heavy black beard hid his mouth,
and from beneath his hat curly wealth
ot raven hair was thrown carelessly back.
Jennie lost no time in arriving at con-
clusions. Nothing could have been more
confident than her decision. Undenia-
bly, the gentleman filled her ideal. With
out doubt he was a knight of the road, a
wolf seeking whom he might devour.
Jennie trembled just little, and began
to hope that the gentleman would not
notice her. She felt of her pocket-boOk,
and resolved that she should keep it at
all hazards.
The train started, and Jennie felt a
little less perturbed. The dark gentle
man took from his pocket copy of the
mornings Republican, and began to
read
Just like a pickpocketw Jennie
thought. "Perhaps," she added, che
thinks I'll get sleepy by and by, and
then he'll give me chlOrofOrm. But |
guess I'm smart enough for him.
The esummerscenery Of dusty Hampdcn
county lost its charms to the country
girl, who, utterly regardless of the
changing view of hill and vale, kept
her eyes fixed nervously on the very
snspicious-lOOking gentleman in the seat
before her.
Presently the train reached Palmer,
and among the passengers who entered
was one gentleman who stopped beside
Jennie's seat, and in pleasant, manly
tone of voice asked "if it was engaged?"
1t was slightly unfortunate that the
train was just starting, and the ques-
toner's words were made indistinct to
the young lady. She understood the
word "engaged," but the rest of the
query was inaudible to her.
"What if amp" she retorted, quick,
petnlantly, and only as a Yankee girl can.
81 would like to sit down if it is not. ~
the gentleman smilingly persisted.
"Sit down for all I carew Jennie
responded.
He took the seat by her side.
Warm day he began.
Jennie looked pOutingly ont of the
window.
YES" she simply said.
IL hope / do not crowd you." the
stranger SAID apologetically, and in such
u pl, asant voice that Jennie turned and
cooked forgivingly on him.
The gentleman's face was full and
ruddy, and pair Of black eyes smiled
in rivalry with the frank lips. He was
dressed in light summer suit, very be-
coming to the breezy nature that he
showed. Jennie had never seen such a
captivating man. and she was ashamed
of herself for showing so much petu-
lance. She thought that perhaps she
WIS mistaken, and that he had not asked
if she was engaged. OF course he
wouldn't, such Incorporating man /!
Something about him entranced her, and
it seemed precisely as it did when sho
and George Harrison sat on the parlOr
sofa of an evening.
"No, sir, you do not crowd me-" she
answered, hesitatingly.
"It is tiresome to ride, is it not?" the
gentleman remarked.
"Yes, sir, was the demure answer.
"You are from the West, perhaps ?"
81 am from Perryville, SIR"
"That is in this State ?"
eyes, sir"
"I beg your pardon, but you have
eyes like Western lady's-gentle, dove
like and calm"
Jennie felt flattered.
"The Western ladies are very pref
ty," the gentleman said. 81 have trav-
eled extensively in the West, and have
yet to zee lady in New England 80
fresh and fair as the Western flowers. 1
always feel 90 cold here in Msssschu-
setts, where fair ladies are 30 rare. You
may doubt me, but no fairer face than
yours have seen here"
"Thank you" Jennie guilelessly an
swered
The stranger sighed, and continued :
"Now, I am going to Boston, and ex-
pect to die Of eanui, for fair women are
at a diacount there"