The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-08-21

West and every thing it contained was
part of Miss Roberta's creed, as it is that
of great many worthy persons who knob
nothing of the region and people they cod.
denim. A moment later two other tribes
occurred that she thought equally charac-
teristic. Taking her collapsion-cup in her
hand she walked down to the water-cooler
at the other end of the car and would have
drawn off glass of water but that she
found planted in front of it a gentleman
who helped himself freely three times and
then stood there rudely blocking the way
and staring out of the window. His back
was toward her, but, of course, he knew
she was there, she argued, as there is moth
ing about a water-cooler calculated to alb
sorb or enchain the attention of the thirst
lest man after he has disposed of a pint of
its contents. Miss Roberta coughed. The
gentleman did not move, and, feeling that
good manners were wasted on such crea-
ture, Miss Roberta pushed past him and
laid wrathful hands ON the spigot. The
gentleman looked surprised, bowed and
retired. Miss Roberta slaked her thirst
and returned to her seat, or rather the one
opposite; but en- route, one of the passen-
gers dropped satchel at her very feet
which she politely restored, receiving in
return what she thought very cool nod
in acknowledgement Not so much as
thank yonl' They are worse than thought,
event. reflected Miss Roberta acrimonious
perhaps by her own anger, she proceeded
to put up the window near her, and as she
looked around she was surprised to catch
the eye of a peevish-looking old man who
was on the other side, lower down, and
seemed to be suffering from face-ache, to
judge from tho amount of handkerchief
passed under his chin and knotted on the
top of his head. He seemed any thing but
pleased to find a strong fresh current of air
sweeping past him, and motioned to hen
imperiously to put the window down. He
waved his hand toward it second time,
and seeing thatShe had no idea giving in
to his wishes, bounced violently out of his
seat and under her very nose seized the
sash and brought it down so empbltically
that the pane was cracked in half md that
a few pieces of glass fell out on he floor.
Such an exhibition of violence and bad
temper paralyzed Miss Roberta and sub
dued her. If he could do this whit was he
not capable of2 so that beyon, "Your
conduct amazes me, sir; it is dsgraceful!
disgraceful!'' she made no attmpt to as
Sert her rights, and he seemed Jerfectly in
different what she thought so lng as he got
his own way At least he mad no reply to
her indignant little speech, bu' fell 80 nurs
ing his swollen cheek again, tco absorbed In
his woes and the applicatiorOf liniment
apparently to even look toward her again.
Miss Roberta noticed with chagrin that
the other passengers had maintained
most apathetic attitude N this fracas.
Most of them, indeed, paidno attention to
it whatever. Those who we're reading did
not so much as look up fran their books,
and on her expressing herriews very hotiy
to the lady Immediately behind her that
person looked studiously ,ut of the win
dow, as though holding he'self aloof from
vulgar disturbance, not committing her
self by so much as singh phrase either
of sympathy or condemnation. This an
Rnhprt0 aYtranplV
if were in fault! The ida of their not
taking the least notice of slch scandalous
treatment of a lady. Why, in Virginia he
would almost have been put off the train,
I'm surel 1t is so exactly what should
have expected of the West,' thought she,
as she stiffened perceptibly and leaned
back in her corner
So little breeze sifted in through the
window that Miss Roberta was uncom-
Portable enough, and seeing that lady
opposite (who looked up from some knit
ting just then and smiled pleasantly on
meeting her gaze) had two palmetto fans
lying by her unused, Miss Roberta forgot
her wounded dignity and asked for the
loan of one.
The lady ignored her request calmly,
and with her portmanteau and shawl inn
provised couch and lay down.
We'll, [ do think these people are bra
zen ~ thought Miss Roberta. "Keep your
old fan, then I'd be burnt to a cinder
rather than take it now, if you offered it.
What would Sister AnaStasia and Sister
Elizabeth think of you?" She sternly de-
termined to have nothing more to do with
them.
give often been told that Northern pep
pie were not demonstrative and cordial in
manners, and that in travelling especially
they were very much on their guard against
strangers and very reserved, but had no
idea they were SO quiet and formal and
hateful," unused she, Judging of them en-
tirely by her recent experiences and draw
ing the most sweeping conclusions.
Five minutes later she again forgot her
anger, for the train curved boldly away to
the right and came upon beautiful river,
on the banks of which she caught glimpse
of large building with tall towers and an
extensive facade. Anxious for q better
view she crossed over to a seat occupied by
richly-dressed old lady, who was sitting
alone, and with every apology begged to
be allowed to look out of her window Tor
moment. The woman did not heed her
apparently, and she walked with swift i'm
| patience further down and made the same
| request to young man yawnlng over his
newspaper The same silence met her
| eager, little speech, and she saw the
| passengers gazing at her curiously across
the way Utterly confounded she walked
| rapidly back to her seat, thoroughly
perplexed and seeking in her own
| mind for some explanation of such
strange behavior. Her head whirled
with the rush of thought. Where was shei
What did it mean! How was it that no
one had answered single remark of hers
from first to last! What did this stiffness
meanl Something sinister! Had she really
spoken out loud, or only fancied that she
| had! Like flash all this came, and more
| She remembered that the doctor who had
attended her the winter before in a severe
attack of bronchitis had said that unless
she was very careful she might lose her
voice, and at once she felt sure that this
was it. Her voice was gone But how could
| she be sure after all! She would put it tC
the test at once by giving a loud call anc
watching the effect By this time she was
wrought up to the highest pitch of nervous
exaltation and was as white as her hand
| kerchief. She sat still, her hands clincheo
| in her lap, and proceeded to put her idea:
| into execution. First she gave q little
shrek, then louder, louder, LOUDER! Hell
eyes were fixed intently on the faces of the
| passengers, not one of whom stirred hand
or foot or noticed it in the least. Tremb
ling in every limb, her heart beating tx
suffocation, Miss Roberta yelled out in 6
| frantic, despairing way: Cant you heal
mel O-o-o-oh !" and having her worst sus
picons realized by the dead silence arounC
her, she tore wildly at her bonnet, dashed
off her mantle, and gave such violent ex
preston to her grief and fright that two
gentlemen rushed forward and, seizing her
forced her back into her seat, from which
she had arisen. This did not tend tx
compose her. nor did the alarmed
fapeS of the naSsenpars nor did the fac