The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-09-29
ought to have special car provided

~~~N
He ended abruptly, as the lady In
front turned her head, and, with d sud
den flash, bestowed upon him a glance
OF which only an outraged and insulted
mother is capable.
Good gracious! l HOPPE did not
intend that she should hear mer said
Mr. Weatherby. "However, if people
Choose to listen to private remarks, it
makes no difference"
Then he lay back in his seat, and
while his fair companion looked from
the window revenged himself for the
mothers indignant look by secretly
making faces at the baby, which was
staring at him over the seat and making
Intellectual efforts to grab hold of his
gold-headed cane. The sweet infant at
first stared in round-eyed wonder at the
unaccustomed facial expressions; but as
they became more ogre-like it's little
moon-face worked, and it burst into a
terrified shrek which startled half the
sleepers in the car
"You will excuse my little son, SIR"
said voice behind Mr. Wetherby. "He
is not accustomed to the interesting
performance with which you have been
kindly endeavoring TO entertain him. :"
And the tall, stalwart gentleman
leaned forward and took the terrified in
FAINT from its mothers arms.
81 think we've intruded ourselves
into a family group here" Mr.. Angus
tus Wetherbv observed, as he looked I'M
easily around. ''You will be more COM
Portable on the other side, and able to
keep the window 'open-it being lee
ward, as the sailors say
The young lady hesitated moment,
but then gathered up her shawl and
sachel, and crossed over to the oppo-
site side of the car, where were couple
of seats left vacant by passengers who
had alighted at the last station. 1t was
Immediately in the rear of a plainly
dressed old gentleman who was fast
asleep and slightly snoring, with his
feet conspicuously elevated. He had re-
moved his new boots, and encased his
large feet in embroidered cloth slippers,
which left exposed an ample space of
gray yarn stocking, evidently of domes-
tic manufacture.
"Really," exclaimed Mr.. Wetherby,
1--WE seem destined to be unfortunate in
our immediate surroundings; but, then,
one can not always choose ones tray
cling companions, unless one engages a
special car"
There was a CLEAN of amusement in
the young lady's eyes as she glanced
from him to the unconscious object of
his scorn. He caught it, and was
thereby encouraged to go on.
Il really believed the old fellow i'm
agined this to be a sleeping car, or at
least that he can indulge in the privi-
leges of one, regardless OF the feelings
of his fellow passengers. People of his
class generally imagine that they can
shirk the expense of a sleeping car by
making a dressing room of the public
cars. I've a great mind to fire one of
those boots out of the window with my
cane"
"That would be too bad You
wouldn't do it, really, would you?''
Not if you object. The old fellow
certainly don't look as if he could
afford the loss. But I'd give some
thing for those slippers, to deposit in
museum for future antlquarans as
a supposed specimen of prehistoric art,
and proof that there were giants in
those days. He, he!''
"They certainly are extraordinary
specimens of needlework, the young
lady observed, cycling the slippers with
grave attention,
"And the stockings! had imagined
that sort of pedal covering to belong to
the lost arts. F."
"They look warm and comfortable,
though; and / dare say that is all that
he cares for"
"Wonder where he got those marvel
GUS slippersp Dare say they are the eff.
fort of some red-handed, apple-faced
daughter, who probably exhibited them
at the country church fair as a credita.
BILE specimen of high art. Is that red
blotch in the middle rose or a holly
hook? And the blue dots-what botan.
ical productions do they representa-
81 should think the first is intended
for bleeding heart, said Mr.. Wether.
| by's fair companion, criticisingly exam
ming the slippers of the unconscious
sleeper; land the blue would probably
suggest forget-me-nots. "
BLEEDING hearts and forget .me-nots.
He, he! Who would expect so much
sentiment in rough old fellow like
this? But perhaps, after all, the slip
pers are tender gift of sweetheart
some sallow, smirking old maid, prob
ably-and he's stuck them on his deli.
cate feet in order to have her image per.
petually present with him. No doubt
he fell asleep contemplating them. and
is at this moment lost in dreams of hi
loved one.
This flight of fancy so amused the
young lady that Mr.. Weatherby was
thereby encouraged to proceed with BIZ
remarks.
There are initials on them, I see
P. G.-Peter Grubbs, perhaps. Tit
name would correspond with his ap
pearance-don't you agree with me?'
II am sure it is very kind in you t.
take so much interest in that old gentle
man and his affairs" the young lad.
returned, in cool, quiet way, with he
dark eyes looking full in the face
Fortunately, can crafty your curl
osity. His name is not Peter Grubbs
but Peyton Gray-not very unlike
don't you thinkP'
"Wh-whatr' grasped Mr.. Wetherby
staring; mot surely Mr.. Peyton Gray
of Chesterton9
! 1.-The same. I am his daughter Minns
and | must confess that | worked thos
absurd slippers when Twas about twelv