The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-02-20
BUSTERS.

"Dusters" have gone out of fash
ion, my dear look into any Pull
man palace car and you will see
that for yourself. 1 took one this
summer, but found it not the thing
at all ; first-class travellers now are
in stylish suits, and I'm sure they
look much better. A few years ago
the women in any waiting-room
were like a brigade ready to be off
on duty, all in uniform-the regula-
ton gray duster, with only a blue
or brown vail to distinguish one
from another.
l am not surprised that dainty
aristocrats have discarded the home
ly but conventional garments, for all
must admit that busters were emf
nently democratic that they were
great Jewelers.; that they were nc
respectors of persons. They cover
ed the shabby alpaca quite as sue.
cessfully as the glossy silk l dc
not doubt in the least their demo
cratic proclivities banished them
from good society.
But I have a dear old duster laid
away you will laugh, l am sure
to hear that 1 entertain for it the
most romantic attachment. All
you can't think what trick it serv
ed me-dear old thing.
first came South this very
month three years ago, to teach
you know, though l do not thinl
now Twas well qualified for the
work-only an untutored girl my
self.
This was the first time 1 had eve
strayed far from home; the trip wa
a long one grew very tired, anC
as the engine steamed into the cit,
a terrible feeling of home-sicknes
took possession of me.
I expected Professor Raynor, tn
principal, to meet me; and whel
the train stopped, took my littl
sachel and stood waiting, while al
the other passengers hurried out.
began to feel faint and dizzy witt
the fear that he might not come
but followed along after the Others
my heart in my throat, my eye
gazing forward eargerly and scan
ming every face in sight.
Suddenly saw a gentleman max
ing his way anxiously toward me
smiling and expectant; this wa
surely Mr.. Raynor, but how youn
he was for the principal of a schoc
and handsome. 1t was evidentl
he, for his hand was extended bt
fore we quite met, and in a secon
more he had clasped mine warmly
and-and-ardently kissed me
Yes, kissed me fair and square o
the lips.
Did scream? No, not exactly
but 1 shivered, and was cold to M
finger tips, then flushed until tn
blood burnt my cheeks, before h
exclaimed :
"Why, little Christine, how yo
have grown Can it really be m
little Christine pa sudden feG
flashing into his face.
I tried to speak, gasped, turne
cold again and almost fell, but mar
aged to say:
"I am Miss Stretton. 1 am
teach at Jackson Academy, and e1
: pect Mr.. Raynor to meet me. Yo
: are not he ?"
OF course it was very foolish.
knew it at the time, but knowing
did not help matters. Great tea
welled up to my eyes as 1 gazed il
to his, and a compassionate loo
came into his pale, handsome face.
"a thousand pardons, Miss Sire
ton. l came to meet some one,"
continued. "No, 1 am not M
Rayner but allow me to accomp
ny you to the waiting-room. Prol
ably he is on the PLATFORM"
1 made no reply but went wit
him, and just as he turned to he
me down the steps of the coach,
tall, portly gentleman, with suav
self-conscious manner, came fo
ward somewhat slowly, saying;
"Ah, Miss Stretton IL am Profe
sor Raynor, I began to fear yC
were not on the train,"