The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-02-10
DUSTERS.

DUDlEIlOs
'Dusters" have gone out of fashion, my
dear; look into any Pullman palace car
and you will see that for yourself. |
took one this summer, but found it not
the thing Of all; first class travellers now
arc 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 ordered off on duty,
all in uniform-the regulation gray
duster, with only blue or brown vail
to distinguish one from another.
l am not surprised that dainty aristo-
Gratis have discarded the homely but con-
ventional garment, for all must admit
that busters were eminently democratic; !;
that they were great levelers that they
were no respectors OF persons They
covered the shabby alpaca quite as sue
cessfully as the glossy silk; l do not
doubt in the least their democratic pro-
clyities banished them from good So.
ciety.
But I have a dear old duster laid
away; you will laugh, am sure, tc near
that entertain for it the most romantic
attachment. All! you can't think what
a trick it served me--dear old thing
l first came South this very month
three years ago, to teach, you know,
though l do not think now was well
qualified for the work only en- un-
tutored girl myself.
This was the first time / had ever
strayed far from home; the trip was
long one; grew very tired. and as the
engine steamed into the city terrible
feeling of home-sickness took possession
of me.
expected Professor Raynor, the
principal, to meet me; and when the
train stopped, took my little sachel and
stood waiting, while all the other pas
sengers hurried out | began to feel
faint and dizzy with the fear that he
might not come, but followed along
after the others, my heart in my throat,
my eyes gazing forward eagerly and
scanning every face in sight.
Suddenly saw gentleman making
his way anxiously toward me. smiling
and expectant; this was surely Mr.. Ray.
nor, but how young he was for the
principal of school, and how handsome.
1t was evidently he, for his hand was
extended before we quite met, and in
,econd moro he had clasped mine warmly,
nd-and-ardently kissed me- Yes,
kissed me fair and square on the lips.
Did l scream? No, not exactly, but
shivered, and was cold to my finger-tips,
then flushed until the angry blood burnt
into my cheeks, before he exclaimed:
''Why, little Christine, how you have
grown! Can it really be my little Chris
,nAo
face.
tried to speak, gasped, turned cold
again and almost fell, but managed to
say:
II am Miss Stretton. I am to teach at
Jackson academy, and expected Mr..
lIaynor to meet me. You are not hei''
OF course it was very foolish. knew
it at the time, but knowing it did not
help matters. Great tears welled up to
ray eyes as l gazed into his, and a com
passionate look came into his pale, hand
some face.
"a thousand pardons, Miss Stretton.
l came to meet some one, he continued.
''No, am not Mr.. Raynor; but allow
me to accompany you to the waiting
room. Probably he is on the platform"
made no reply, but went with him,
and just as he turned to help me down
the steps of the coach, tall, portly gem
tleman, with suave, self-conscious man.
ner, came forward somewhat slowly, say
ing:
"Ah, Miss Stretton II am Professor
Raynor, began to fear you were not on
the train"
could not tell you exactly why, but
s strange shyness came over me; | did
not even look toward the gentleman who
had given me such an ailectionate wei
come, only mumbled someth ng to Mr..
Raynor, and followed him quickly to the
omnibus.
That night, after shutting and boiling
the door of my room, looking around
upon its bare and cherries walls and
trying to think the place homelike and
pleasant, threw myself, in fit of his
terieal sobbing, upon the narrow bed,
and between smiling and weeping, man
aged TO spend an hour. What foolish
creatures girls are
"Why did l cry2n Because, to be sure,
/ was homesck, and-and because a
strange man had kissed me, and land --
perhaps a few tears were shed because
he was stranger 1 wished in my
heart OF hearts that he had not been
that he was some dear brother, cousin
or friend, who had come to greet me so
warmly.