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

alone %
"Ycs. sir"
"H were only going through, now,
I hatter myself could be of service to
you."
You might, sir. I am a stranger To-
Boston, and should like to he directed.
Pa told me perhaps might fall in with
some kind person who would help me
along"
"Too bad, madam. that duty is duty.
I should he pleased to help you. 1t is
no pleasure to travel alone and know no
one" &.
81 think 40. sir. And it is 'specially
for lady. There are pickpockets, you
know"
The last words were uttered in n
whisper, and Jennie looked harder than
ever on the gentleman in the seat be-
fore her.
eyes. there are pickpockets," her
voluble companion answered, "but
hardly think there are any in this car. :"
90. sir, Jennie whispered. 81 am
sure that that gentleman ahead of us is
nothing else"
"He has a very indifferent look, GER
tainly." the affable man said. "But of
course you do not carry money with you
to any amount ?"
81 have 300, sir"
"Ah Let me advise YOU not to
carry it in your pocket. Thieves are
too adept, and would not fail to find it
there"
$50 pa said, sir, and I put it here in
my bosom"
"A good place to carry it, madam"
"Do you think he could find it
theIe?"
"No. I presume not. My sister de-
clares that her purse is safe there, but
mother carries hers in her hat. Either
tplace is safe. My sister would agree
with you, Miss"
"My name is Jones, sir"
"a very poetic name! Mine is Law
rcncc-Alexander Lawrence. have no
cards with me but I am commercial
traveller from D-& Co., New York. Z"
Conversation continued. Mr.. Law
renee showed himself more and more
agreeable, and Jennie was completely
won by the charming address of the
stranger. Although she was blushing
and sensitive girl, she had some of her
fathers common sense, and she saw in
the tone and style of her new acquain-
tance a man altogether different from
any one she had ever before met. His
refined ease and Difference made m i'm
mediate impression Oh her. She was
fascinated, and felt that she had found
All atmosphere where her lightcst words
might safely float. There are men who
, may well be styled male flirts, who trifie
with an artless maiden till they read her
soul, and then leave its book unclosed.
The drummer was such man. Before
the train reached Worcester, Jennie felt
that she had known him for a life time.
She told him of her own history, Of
Perryville, of her fathers wealth, of her
purpose in visiting Boston. With rapt
attention Mr.. Lawrence listened, per-
fectly satisfied TO find that he had opened
the girls heart, and encouraging her
confidence by attentive fatteHy.
"YOu must favor me with your I'D
dress while you are in Boston," he said,
.'for l shall do myself the henor Of call
ing on you" a-
Jennie promised that abe would, and
fondly imagined her pride . having
such a gentlemanly admi.eT. In her
heart she determined upon writing to
George Harrison the next day, and ask
ing to be released from her engagement.
Wouldn't it be nice to astonish Perry
vile by announcing her engagement to
such nice gentleman a. Mr.. lawrence I
In her mind she married the words,
"Mrs. Alexander Lawrence" What
would Ellen White say7 W0uldnt al
the good people of Peryville be aston
ished?
All too soon Worcester was reached.
Jennie's foolish little heart beat rapidly
when Mr.. Lawrence took her hand and
bade her good-by, with q tender ex-
preston of the hope that he might meet
her again in Boston.
Then he went out, and Jennie felt
very lonely. She caught one last
glimpse of him from the car window,
and then the cars went on, and the
dream was over.
SOagreeable had been the companion
ship with Mr.. Lawrence that Jennie had
for . whole hour forgotten all about her
fear of pickpockets. Now the thoughts
came again. There was the dark
bearded gentleman still in the seat be-
fore her. There was-no, there was
not ! She put her hand to her bosom.
Her pOcket-book scas gone. She made
the discovery, and announced it with
a little scream, and then a success
sion of shrieks.
The attention of all the passengers
was excited, and the gallant conductor
came running to the rescue, expecting
to find the lady in an epileptic fit.
"Oh, OIL It is gonel He has got
it !" she cried, in perfect agonY
"What is it. madam ?" CThe con-
ductor did not ask the question very
pleasantly
"He has stolen my pocket-book I"
she cried.
"Who, madam?
"He-that fellow-that pickpocket r.
indicating the astOnished gentleman,
who had leaned over the seat, looking
mildly at the young lady.
(Which gentleman ?" asked the con-
ductor, not at all pleased with the dis
turbance.