The Penn's Grove record., 1885-07-25
QUITE AN ADVENTURE,

A good many years have passed since
one bitterly cold night-the last night
in the old yeaT-I was taking the Z p.
IN, express from York to Newcastle.
The train stood ready to start, but either
there we're few passengers or they did
not like leaving the cheerful warmth of
waiting and r~efreshment rooms until
the last moment, for lpaced the platform
in gloomy solitude. trying to decide
the then momentous question, whetheE
to travel third class, and please the
or first class and please myself.
My father was a large shareholder, and
took an active interest i'll the working
of the line. He was not satisfied with
getting good interest for his money, but
wanted to the very full amount all the
principal was capable of making. One
of his maxims was, MAKE the third
class carriages as comfortable as you
can, and then far greater numbers will
travel.n
st is not the solitary first and sec
onds, Bob my lad" said he, addressing
me, THAT will make the affair pay, but
the hundreds and thousands of mill
hands and mechanics. When you
travel on our line, never lose an oppor-
unity of going third class, and then
you will be able te suggest improve
ments.n
And SO l usually followed his advice
but ON this night l was sorely tempted
to make an exception to the rule. l
remembered however, with an uneasy
conscience, that l was bound to please
the old gentleman just now, if possible.
He might have a talent for making
money, but his son had been largely en-
dowed with the gift of spending it; and
l knew well that in a few days should
be obliged to again appeal to his gem
crosby to free me from my liabilities;
and SO, with the air of a martyr, /
walked up to the door of the nearest
carriage.
"Are these corner seats all taken?''
l asked of two ladies who were the sole
occupants of the carriage.
"All but that" said the elder one,
pointing to the one opposite to her.
1 threw in a small satchel and some
wraps
"You are not going third on a night
like this, Mr.. Lawsonp" said the guard
addressing me.
"Certainlyl Why notP" demanded I
bravely; but | felt l was a most self
denying young man, and should, most
assuredly, In my first letter home,
make a strong nete of the sacrifice |
had made.
81 will get you a foot-warmer; you
will need it tonight" said the guard
as he was hurrying away.
"Thanksl Bring one for these ladies'
as we'll, " returned l.
"Have you any luggage, sirT' the
man inquired, a few moments later, as
having fulfilled his commission, he
stood waiting to give the signal for opr
departure.
SIN the van," l replied.
"And your friends?" asked he.
/ turned to the ladies. The elder one
nodded and ] answered, "Yes.n
"All right" the guard shouted, and
blew a shrill whistle; and in a few min
utes we were on u way to Newcastle.
But travelling was heavy work, as
the rails were encountered with snow.
My companions were not laxative.
The old lady indeed listened to what I
had to say, and now and again yentur-
ed a remark on her own account; but
the younger M merely gave monsyl-
Liable replies to any observations address
sed to her. l thought however that
she had the most musical voice | had
ever heard, and felt provoked with her
for talking 81 little and keeping her
face concealed by a thick Shetland veil
which made it an impossibility to see
what her features were like.
AT length l gave up all efforts at
conversation, and sat wondering who
my fellow-passengers were, and devils
ing a scheme that would make the
young lady throw back her veil. AS |
lay back with closed eyes, visions of a
blue-eyed, gentle girl float
ed before me; and already l was more
than half in love with her. | was a
young man, and had never before felt
the charm of a sweet voice, ard | de-
termined that | would not lose sight of
the possessoT in a hurry.
Presently 1 let down the window and
to look out; but instantly
there was such a volley of fine white
snow that | was compelled to close it
again quickly. The ladies shivered,
and then more carefully aud tenderly
folded my plaid about the young one.
AT last we ran into ID rlington sta
ton; and, as l hastily ordered port
negus to be brought to us as hot
as it could be made, | exulted in the
thought that at last / should have a
glimpse of the young lady's face. But
| was doomed to disappointment.
"You had better keep down your
veil, dear" the old lady said, turning
to her companion; ''this wind viii make
your toOthache worse.o
After this | sat down in sullen silence
TO brood over my ill-luck.
Travelling grew worse. The old lady
was evidently agitated. She slipped
her hand into the young lady's muff-
evidently for sympathy.
81 am afraid we shall not get into
to night y said l, bending
them.
"Surelyl" burst from both their lips
In such CONSERVATION as made me sorry
TO have impaired such d~isagreeable in