The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-16
A DOCTORS STORY.

On fino summer day in the year 181
-, was proceeding by the southwest
ern railway to visit friend and former
patient, resident Of Portsmouth, Eng
land. 1t is not often that a medical
man gets holiday and but for the
kindness of fellow practitioner, il
taking my practice for fortnight, I
should not have had this opportunity of
enjoying the sea breeze.
The train by which l started was an
early one, and, having procured my
ticket, took my place in a second class
carriage, and lit my cigar, for it was a
smoking carriage. Ol entering it I was
surprised, and think, naturally So
to find the further corner Of it occupied
by lady.
''Oho!' said T. inwarily, "somo Am
erican demoiscue who desires to indulge
in cigarette"
On obsery yation, however, it appeared
to mo that the features of my fellow
traveller did not bear upon them that
impression of cuteness which MARKS
American nationality. She had soft
brown eyes, a full, round face, and
profusion of chestnut hair. She was
dressed in a plain travelling suit, bound
with white braid, and wore straw hat.
''Maybc, a German" l soliloquizcl
"they are terrible smOkprsn
But again it occurred to me that pos
sibly the young lady might be neither
American nor German, but had got into
the carriage without noticing that it
was one reserved for the use of smok-
crs. Under this impression I bowed
slightly to her, saying:
II fear my cigar may annoy you,
Perhaps you are not aware that this is
a smoking compartment"
ooh, yes" she answered, with a
slight German accent, yes, yes, yes,
yes p'
There was something peculiar in her
slow, deliberate utteranco and the four
times repeated monosyllablo. a dreamy
look, too, in the speakers eyes, as if
her mind was preoccupied. However
the train was now in motion, and had
nothing for it but to ensconco myself in
my corner, look out of tho window,
and take birds eye view of the sur
rounding house-tops.
-, ! ~ l..
but began at last to weary of the mo-
rotony of such an amusement. Wo
Englishmen, as rule, are so reserved
and unsociable that we shrink into our
selves, and every fresh addition to the
occupants of a railway carriage or an
omnibus is received with black looks
and a sort of a tQcic intimation that he
has no right to enter. Now, am free
to confess that, wnrtever my faiings,
want of sociabiIity is not one of them
and determined to try to engage my
companion in a little conversation.
There could be no impr oprioty in man
of my age q was 38) endeavoring to be-
guile the tedium OF a lazy journey by
conversing with a fellow-traveIer, &
girl-and certainly not out OF
her teens, 1t was, therefore, with ar
almost paternal feeling that I address ed
her.
"There are not many passengers by
this train," l remarked.
'Two thousand and three" was the
answer, that not a little startled ny
equanimity.
Hooked at the speaker expecting t.
fad a mischievous smile dancing il
her eyes or lurking at the corners o.
her mouth. Nothing of the sort. ShC
was perfectly serious, even stern, ant
her eyes had still the same dreamy, far
away look in them.
VERY absented-mindcd, or else il
love, thought to myself. However,
tried again.
al think we shall have fine da!
for our Journey" ventured to remark,