Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-05-02
Through the Tunnel.

It was q bright, clear. cold morning
in early December. When Kathie en-
tered the Car there was scarcely vacan
seat to be seen. To be sure there wa
one stout old gentleman sitting alone
but he was next to the aisle and seemed
so deeply absorbed in thought tha
Kathie disliked to disturb him. Then
there was . middle aged woman, but
she had numberless wraps and parcels
In the seat beside her, and her appear
ance. take her all in all, was 80 forbid
ding as she looked fixediy out OF tn.
window thai Kathie passed her by
There was but one more seat unoccupied
It was beside gentleman who sat close
to the window reading paper.
IT'S this seat engaged :" asked Kathi'
with tiaid heeitapcy.
sit is not" was the answer in pleas
ant tone; "but," springing up as h.
spoke. would you prefer the seat by the
Window"
"Oh, mol Thank you! Not at all u
murmured Ksthie, and she sat down
beside him.
The gentleman turned his attention
again to the paper and Kathie imme
diately fell wishing that she had takert
the seat by the window For the gen
tleman sat at her right hand, and her
purse was In her cloak pocket, and ha''
not Aunt Kate warned her over and
oyer again to be on her guard against
'plckpockets, and had declared that they
were quite as likely to be young, agree
able and polite as the reverse? And
was not this person all hree? Kathie
stole a sly glance at him. His dark
eyes were intently fixed on his newspa
per. He was fne-looking and well
dressed. and to all intents quite obliv
iOus of her existence. Kathie wondered
demurely 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 seem osten-
tatiOus and tiresome, moreover there
would be- time for that when the gentle
man-he looked like a gentleman GER
tainly-should put down his paper and
Kathie could no longer watch his
hands,
Then Kathie's thoughts slipped
into most agreeable channel. She
thought Of the Christmas gift she was
going to buy, and Of the other shopping
she was going to do. It was her first trip
to Boston quite aione. Aunt Kate had
always been with her before, to take
care Of her and help her to select Christi
mas gifts, but this year Aunt Kate's
rheumatism was 80 much worse than
usual chat she did not hope to be equal
to trip to Boston for the winter, and
ias it was already nearing Christmas.
there was nothing to be done but to let
Ksthie go alone. And so 1t came about
that Kathie feeling quite old and re
spopsihle, was Oil her way, this bright
December morning, to the city. She
mentally planned her days work and
portioned out her money for the various
things she was Intending to buy. There
was the book for her Sunday school
the shell comb for aunt Kate, the en-
craving for cousin Will, that must be
especially fine and nicely framed. since
1t was to do double duty rs q Christmas
and wedding gift. Should it be q copy
Of some celebrated old picture, or some
attractive group. full OF modern life and
interest? While Kathie was trying to
decide this question. and was reviewing
with her minds eyes, all the finest and
most beautiful engravings that she had
ever seen, the train swept into the tun-
mel.
AS it grew dark the gentleman beside
her put down his paper, turning slight
~ wv Mus 1AaIukS as u0 O1u 50 auu
then Kathie was sure she felt q stealthy
motion towards her cloak pocket
Quick az thought her hand went down
TO seize her purse, when-oh, horrors !;
there was the mans hand in her pock-
ct ! Kathie did not withdraw her hand;
on the contrary, being resolved to pro-
tect her property at all hazards, che felt
about with her fingers as well as she
could for her purse, but could not find
it. 1t Was already gone. Then Kath e
seized the intruding hand with the firm
ness Of desperation. fully determined to
make an alarm as aoon as the cars
emerged INFO daylight again. If he did
not have the purse in his hand. there at
least was his hand in her pocket. and
some of the passengers would see her
'rjghted and her purse restored. Fortu-
nately her purse had her name printed
on the inside How long the minutes
seemed before the train came out into
light! Then Kathie, still grasping firm
ly the mans hand, looked up anu down
the aisle, with sparkling eyes and
flushed cheek, for the conductor.
II beg your pardon" said her captive
in low tone that Kathie could scarce
ly catch the words, "but have you not
made mistake ia the pocket?"
Kathie gave one swift glance. Good
heavens! her hand was in his pocket!
If she had touched q burning coal she
could not have relinquished her hold
and withdrew her hand more promptly
She was overcome with confusion. She
ventured one deprecatory glance at the
gentleman. His expressive face wore q
mischievous smile.
81 thou" began Kathie tremu-
ma -, fa1rf hnr
The revulsion Of feeling was too great.
ly quenched by gathering tears, and her
lip quivered 0min0usly.
"That 1t was your pocket, of course"
said the gentleman, completing her
sentence. "I understand perfectly
Pray do not let the mistake disturb
you" he continued, with imploring
earnestness.
Once or twice, as they neared the city.
the gentleman glanced at her as if he
would speak, but Kathie's resolutely
averted face and downcast eyes gave
him no opportunity, and not another
word was spoken till they reached the
station, where he left her with courte-
GUS bow and "Go0d morning.
Hateful thing,n said Kathie to her
self, II hope shall never set eyes on
him again" and then she watched him,
with admiring eyes. as long as she could
distinguish his fine form In the hurry
ing crowd.
Her purse, 1t il scarcely necessary to
say, was safe In her pocket, and she soon
set out diminishing its contents. Not
withstanding the inauspicious begin
ming OF her trip. her day proved quite
successful and satisfactory. Her own
errands and Kate's commission were all
executed, and there was still half hour
to spare for call at Cousin Wills office |
and when the time drew near for the |
train to leave he escorted her to the sta
ton. The train was ready when they ar