The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-08-04

thought with dismay Of my own dark
blue gown and amber tie; for my period
Of weeds was over. What did it mean ?
Was it the livery of the table d'hote ?
Was it considered good taste? Or were
they really in such grief that they had
elected to travel in order to disperse
some of their sorrow? l could not de-
eide, so l looked again. Then 1 saw
that almost all the men were clergymen,
and the rest rongh-loolsing people in
shooting coats, with tanned faces. Be-
side me, on one side, an elderly gentle
man of amiable appearance, trade un-
mistakably marked upon him on tho
other, lad with aq,liline nose and
retreating chin. I could not tackle him,
for I always detest boys or any men
under thirty. I turned to my other
neighbor, rather uncertain, if it was tho
thing to speak to ones neighbor, and
said: "Do you think it will rain ?"-I
noticed afterwards that it was raining :;
but then one cannot be expected to
think Of everything-and the old gentle
man answered pleasantly that he thought
it would. After that we got on capitally.
We began talking OH all sorts of subjects,
even the Academy; he had seen great
many pictures that had somehow over
looked, and felt quite at my ease and
at home, and laughed just as I do when
L am happy, when sharp Luke, my
dear, don't you see I want the salt ?"
from the wife on the other stlo brought
us up short, and had to hold my tongue
while my neighbor soothcd his better
half's irritatcd feelings.
At the head of the table was a parson,
evidently looked upon as n person Of
Importance, for reference was made to
his opinion Oh all subjects, from Church
questions to trout-fishing. The man
next him was stout and jocular, and car
ried on q running conversation with the
| waiter, in this wise-"Ycs I'll take some
more beef md some of the greens-at
least;" OH being corrected and informed
that they were not greens, but French
beans, cat least they're green, which the
green's never are. Now, then, give me
some strawberry jam! Who ever heard
of Scotch meal without strawberry
jam ?" Opposite were a spruce little
couple-she with polished hair braids
and best silk neckerchicf and brooch
he in spotless black, like an undertaken
out of place, even the sparse hairs on
his head black and shiny and funereal.
They converscd much together amiably,
and he remarked that o'clock was quite
q heathcnish hour to dine at 6 o'clock
was late enough in all conscience. The
meal was very plentiful and very good,
and every ono did justice to it except
myself, who, after the remark about the
salt, felt distinctly snubbcd.
The next morning, after descended
to breakfast, 1 again sat next the same
family, but this time it was next the
lady. attempted, in the intervals of
sconcs and buttercd toast and newly
gathered honey, quite delicious to an
English gourmet, to hazard n slight re-
mark. The lady tossed her head, and
said, 'Indeed % I felt further efforts
were hopeless and there was my friend
of last night at Ito head of the table,
not even daring to throw me glance of
approval. drew myself up and looked
haughtily, rs L can do when / like. But
the mother could smile well enough
when she chose, MS she proved presently
when her good-looking daughter asked
for jam. [ wondered what would have
been the result had I asked for jam. TO
my surprise, later in the day, when L
had finished my tramp among the hills
with Brushcr-thc views were lovely,
but Brusher's pctticoats got wet, and
she did not care for tho walk-the same
elderly lady came up to me Mt the sta
ton, where I was sitting partly on coop
of chickens, partly on my own portman-
teau, very damp and sticky with ladies
and said in m llnctious voice, "I think
you said You were going to Inverness,
would you mind taking charge of my
danghter?" + felt flattcrcd, pleased,
flabbcrgastcd, all in one moment. What
had happened Had the husband
apologizcd or the wife forgiven? Or
did she think, after all, little widow ut
tubc dhOtc was entitled to some indul-
gence, or perhaps she imagined was a
duchess in disguise? ? never knew. But
the girl was very nice, and / took care
Of her as far as Inverness, much to
Brushcrs disgust.