Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-11-21
Railway Counting.

At n station n few miles east Of this
city on the Lake Shore Road, n tall.
gaunt, agricultural-lo Looking man boarded
q west-bound train for Cleveland. Every
seat in tvs car was occupied with the
exception of one at the side of buxom,
middle-aged woman, with pleasant fea-
lures; but that peculiar snap to her
black eyes indicative of "a mind of her
own, and an I'm the boss" sort of a
poise to her well-shaped head. He sat
bolt upright, and looked dlgniiied as
possible for mile or SO, but his desire
to keep his tongue moving was too
great to remain longer mute, and he
asked the woman where she was from,
where she was going, how long she eX-
pected to stay, and who she was. She
told him she was from down in York
State, and was going to Cleveland on Il
visit, and she was widow.
"Tm from down in ole Gee-og," said
the agriculturist. II godown to Glove
land every week or SO to enjoy myself.
You see my wife she died and the old
farm is lonesome like, an go to the
city to sort'er cheer up"
''IIave you got a big farm" inquired
the falf Traveller.
"Wall, l jes' kalkerlatc as have, an
one 'er the best in Gee-og There's a
big house onto il with porches and mi
randas, jes' as grand as they be any
where's, an across the road waves MS
fine sugar grove rs ever give water; a
cider mill waves 'tothcr side the house;
bank barn waves cross the
lane, and this summer the fields
III wave with corn an oats.
She's good 'un an mighty COM
Portable life, but alfred lonesome since
the ole CONAN pcggcd out, n that's why
get inter the city fur consolation, you
know" and he looked out of the win
dow with poetical, PARKWAY gaze,
while the buxom widow looked at the
back of the seat in front with specula-
tive stare then, with decp-drawn
sigh, replied: "Yes, you must be awful
lonesome" looking softly at his face.
YOU'RE right it are,' he said, put
ting his long arm over the back of the
seat so that his big bony hand rested on
the end next the window, IAN if could
jcs' find Ter handsome 'ooman as 'ud
hevc me, / think things 'ud brighten up
a Bit" and he made a pathetic move
with his left hand across his eyes.
II think there'd be lots would be
glad to have you," coyly answered she.
"Do you, though, now really, do
you?' pressing closer to her side.
Indeed, l do" she simpered, rs she
looked at the passing telegraph poles.
His hand slid from the back of the
seat and rested lightly on her waist, as
he leaned over his ear and said: Now,
would you mind ter sort o. como and
brighten up the house yersclf? Pm u
good 'un, am. an we'd be happy as
daisies, sartin.
"Oh, this is so sudden, you know" as
she nestled her head close to his
shoulder, while soft blush flushed hei
face, 81 don't even know your name
"Well, | don't see as how q names
goin' to make any difference, an it's
now, let's make up our minds ter double
up"
You'll be good and always treat me
well, will you?"
"You kin JUS bet on tibet: | amt O
man as treats anything poorly. Why,
Their dogs, an pigs, an cows, an
horses, an even Their chickens, all on
'em, look more cheerful like when Tn
round. Treat you right! guess yes, v
and he circled her waist and her head
rested lovingly on the agricultural
shoulder, while silence was taken fol
consent. Thus they sat until the train
pulled into the Union Depot, utterly OBJ
livious to the smiles of other passengers
That is why such happy smiles wreathed
the countcnances of the old farmer and
the woman who alightcd from the train
yesterday and ordered n carriage for Q
hotel. The denouement will be cal
on the marriage clerk to-day and visit
to minister or justice, they won't care
much which, and the buXom widow
with the swapping black eyes will ne
doubt take up her quarters on the farm
in old "Gee-og," where wave the sugar
grove, the cider mill, the red barn ant
the golden grain. There she will b.
the conqucring heroine.