The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-10-15

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 a time she had read in the
Weekly Gazette a story OF lady's ad-
venture with a pickpocket, wherein that
parsonage was described as modern
Claude Duval, handsome, black-whis-
kered, and wearing an immaculate suit
of black and 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-
nv had named. She started the next
moment. In the seat directly before
her sat gentleman, tall, noble looking,
and dressed in faultless black. A long
and heavy black beard hid his mouth,
and from beneath his hat a curly wealth
of raven hair was thrown carelessly back.
Jennie lost no time in arriving at con-
illusions. Nothing could have been more
confident than her decision. Undenia-
bly, the gentleman filled her ideal. With
out doubt he was knight of the road, n
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
little less perturbed. The dark gentle
man took from his pocket a copy of the
mornings Republican, and began to
read.
"Just like a pickpocketl" 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 himl"
The summer scenery of dusty Hampden
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
suspicious-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-
toners 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 L amp" she retorted, quick,
petulantly, and only as Yankee girl can.
81 would like to sit down If it is not, I"
the gentleman smilingly persisted.
"Sit down for all 1 care!" Jennie
responded.
He took the seat by her side.
Warm day." he began.
Jennie looked poutingly out of the
window.
EYES," she simply said.
81 hope L do not crowd you," the
stranger said apologetically, and in such
a pleasant voice that Jennie turned and
looked forgivingly on him.
The gentlemans face was full and
ruddy, and pair of black eyes smiled
in rivalry with the frank lips. He was
dressed i'll 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
was 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 she
and George Harrison sat on the parlor
sofa of an evening.
"No, sir, you do not crowd me-" she
answered, hesitatingly.
1t 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"
81 beg your pardon, but you have
eyes like Western lady's-gentle, dove
like and calm"
Jennie felt flattered
1.-The Western ladies are very pref
ty," the gentleman said 81 have tray
eled extensively in the West, and l have
yet to see lady in New England so
fresh and fair as the Western flowers. 1
always feel so cold here in Massachu-
sets, where fair ladies are so rare. You
may doubt me, but no fairer face than
yoyrs have / seen here"
Thank you," Jennie gnlelessly an
swered.
The stranger sighed, and continued
Now, L am going to Boston, and ex-
pect to die of eanui, for fair women are
at II discount there"
am also on my way TO Boston,
sir, " the girl said
Indeed Are you going quite
through on this train 2"
Yes, SIR"
"That is too bad. I stop over in
Worcester one train. You are travelling
alone %
Yes, sir"
"If L were only going through, now,
fatter myself 1 could be of service to
YOU.
" You might, sir. am stranger to
Boston, and should like to be directed.
Pa told me perhaps / might fall in with
some kind person who would help me
along"
"Too bad, madam, that duty is duty.
should be pleased to help you. 1t is
no pleasure to travel alone and know no