The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-04-29
THE SNOW BL0CKADEs=

NV friend, John Hall, conductor, had
persuaded ME to 60 with him over the
Northern Pacific road to San Francisco.
It was late in the season, and l feared
blockade However, provided myself
with basket of provisions, for use IN
cas-: my fears were realized, and started
on my journey.
When ]. reached the depot, found
gentleman and lady seated in my sleeper.
| had scarcely time to take 4 good look at
the latter-and in fact I could not make
much out. of my inspection, for she was
heavily veiled-when Hall entered, and
passing me with a hasty "Sood-morn-
ing" went up to the lady's companion.
was busy storing away my numerous
traps, and did not hear what was said,
until, as it was getting near the time to
start, Hall observed that he must so and
see all clear. Then I caught these
words:
4Look well after Mrs. Forsyth, Hall,
and when you give up the train, speak
to the next conductor about her.
II viii do my best for the lady, sir,
said Hall, who a moment after left the
car.
you'll have the drawing-room to your
SELF" continued Mrs. Forsyth's escort,
aand need not be bothered with any
one"
Ny back was toward the speaker, andin
little side mirror between the windows
saw that he cast suspicious and sig
nificant glance in my direction as he
spoke the last.words.
In q moment more he was gone, and
we were started on our long journey.
My solitary companion retreated to her
room, and was left a rather desolate
master Of the situation.
With the help of newspapers, books and
an occasional word with Hall as he
passed through the Car, the morning
passed quickly enough. We were to
carry dining-car the first day or day
and half-a fact that also added to my
sense of general satisfaction.
When the first call for dinner was
made, l was not long in answering it, but
quick as I was, many others had been
before me, and was fortunate III secur-
ing the last table. Scarcely had l COM
fortably seated myself and settled on the
details of my dinner, when Hall entered,
plotting the lady who had been spoken of
as Mrs. Forsyth. Seeing that all the ta-
bles had one or more occupants, he
brought her over to the one at which l
sat. He introduced me, placed her op-
posite, and to say that I was charmed
with her face would be to give only a
a very faint indication of my feelings.
She appeared to be about s3 or "a years
of age, and was dressed in mourning,
though not of sufficiently distinctive
character to tell whether or not she was
widow. I must confess, however, that
even at the moment the question oc-
Cured to me, wished that it might be
decided in the Affirmative.
The meal passed off delightfully."-, at
least to me, and l managed to ascertain
that I should have Mrs. Forsyth's COM
pany for the greater portion OF the
Journey, her destination being Seattle.
I took her back to our Car, when she
again withdrew into the drawing-room,
and resolved to smoke the soothing
cigar. In search of company and chat,
I sought the smoker of the next car,
which was occupied exclusively by men,
who after time dropped one or two
quiet hints about the enviableness Of my
position. and their desire to exchange
berths. By-and-bye a little game of
poker was proposed, and would have
doubtless helped to pass a good deal OF
time, but a clergyman read us such
lecture on the sin Of gambling that no
one felt quite disposed to matcrialize as
one Of his terrible examples" So, after
a while, went back to my own car and
my books. At supper time, as Mrs.
Forsyth's door was open, vcntured to
ask her if might have the pleasure of
taking her to the table, and was rewarded
with q gracious smile and q prompt
acouiescence. Although tried, without
seeming to be inquisitivc, to skirt round
the subject, did not succeed in gaining
any information rs to her matrimonial
condition. The next day, however, l
was fortunate enough to discover that /
had two or three times met Mrs. Forsyth's
single sister, when she had been visiting
some mutual acquaintances in San Fran
cisco. This fact served as a far better
introduction than Halls had been, and
in the more intimate conversation that
followed I at last learned with delight
that Mrs. Forsyth was widow of over a
years standing, and that sho was intend
ing to make her future home with her
sister.
We lost our dining-car, much to our re-
gret, on the second day. The third day
saw snow incessantly descending, and
Mrs. Forsyth began to prophcsy all kinds
Of disasters. and even suggested the ad-
visibility of her lying over at the next
station of any size. From following this
cot1rse she WAS, however, dissuadcd by
the joint eloqucncc of Hall and myself.
Each hour that spent in her society adj