The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-05-03
RAILWAY coURTING.

lfEfriAHu l-Ed0cf-
At a station few miles east of this
city on the Lake Shore road, a tall, gaunt,
agricultural looking man boarded west
bound train for Cleveland. Every seat
in the car was occupied with the except
ion of one at the side of buxom. middle
aged woman, with pleasant features; but
that peculiar snap in her black eyes In
dicative of mind of her own, and an
I'm the boss sort of a poise 20 her well
shaped head. He sat bolt upright, and
looking digniiied 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 expected TO stay, and who she
was She told him she was from down
in York. state and was going to Cleveland
on visit, and that she was widow
I'm from down in ole Gee-og," said
the agriculturalist, II go down to
Cleveland every week or so to enjoy my
self. You see my wife she died and the
old farm is Lonesome like, an go to the
city to sort er cheer up.
Have you got big farm2" inquired
the fair traveller.
wall, / jes' kalkerlate as | have, and
one 'er the best in Gee-og. There's a
big house onto it with porches and mir
andas jes' rs grand as they be any
where's, an across the road waves as fine
sugar grove as ever give water; cider
mill waves 'tother side the house; bank
barn painted red waves cross the lane
and this summer the fields III wave with
corn and oats. Shes a good 'un an
mighty comfortable like, but ALFRED lone
some since the ole 'ooman pegged out. a
that's why get inter the city fur con-
ISOLATION, you know" and he looked out
of the window with a poetical. far away
gaze, while the buxom widow looked
at the back of the seat in
front with speculative
stare; then, with with a deep-drawn
sigh. replied: Yes, you must be awful
lonesome, looking softly at his face.
You're right it are, he said, putting
his long arm over the back of the seat so
that his big bony hand rested on the end
next to the widow, "an' if | could jes'
find 'er handsome oman as 'ud hev me. /
think things nd brighten up Bit" and
he made pathetic move with his left
hand across his eyes.
tI think there'd be lots who'd be glad
to have you" coyly replied she.
do you, though? now really do you?
he said, pressing closer to her side.
Indeed / do" she simpered, as 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 to ter sort o
come and brighten up the house yerself2
I'm a good 'un, / am, an we'd he happy
as daisies. sartin."
80. this is so sudden, you know" as
she nestled her head close to his shoulder.
while a soft blush flushed her face, Il
don't even know your name"
well, don't see as how a names
goin' to make any difference, an its easy
of findin' out anyway. Come now, lets
make up our minds to double up"
You'll be good and always treat me
well. will your"
''You kin jus bet on tibet, l amt man
as treats anything poorly, Why. the
dogs, an pigs, an COWS an horses, an
even the chickens, all on 'em look more
cheerful when I'm round. Treat you
right ] guess yes" And he circled her
waist and her head rested lovingly on the
agricultural shoulder, while silence was
taken for consent. Thus they sat until
the train pulled into the Union depot,
utterly oblivious TO the smiles of other
passengers. That is why such happy
smiles wreathed the countenances of the
old farmer and the woman who alighted
from the train yesterday and ordered
carriage for a hotel. The denouement
will be call on the marriage clerk to day
and a visit TO the minister of Justice, they
don't care which and the buxom woman
with the swapping black eyes will no
doubt take up her quarters on the farm in
"Gee-og." where wave the sugar grove
and cider MILL the red barn, and the
golden grain. There she will be the
conquering heroine.