River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-09-13

to slowly open, and after listening to
the allarins description, given by the
polite colored porter, OF the viands In
readiness for hungry travellers. she
started. and said hastily to the gentle
man sitting by her sides
Excuse ne, sir, but have we reached
Bridgeport"
"Yes. some time since; the next sta
tion viii be New Haven"
The color came and went in che
pallid cheeks. and her hands clasped
each other nervcasiy as the poor little
womaR turned to look out of the win
dow to hide her agitation. Presently
tbs occupants Of the seat directly In
the rear saw her had droop on one
side. and thee Knew she had tainted.
QRe - the occupants was young lady
0i quick perceptions. and in second
she had out her bottle OF smellin9-saits
and vas assisting the faihting woman.
She was too Far gone. however, for
the salts 10 prove effective; and as
the train was by this time at the
depot the gentleman hastily left the
var Tor some water. In his absence,
our young lady. whom we will intro
duce, without any more delay, as Miss
DOrOthea Hobbs, applied herself to the
task OF rubbing the hands and loosen
ing the clothes Of the still unceRsti0us
woman. She thinBed obi the crowd
that always will gather around an ac-
cideat OF this kind. by setting this one
TO work raising window, that one to
turning a seat over, and another to
plying fan;-mOst people like to look
on at such times, but not to be palled
upon TO do any thing. Presently the
gentleman retucned with the water,
and under its reviving influence CON
seriousness was restored,
"Oh, help me of this train, | must
stop here." exclaimed the woman as
she endeavO-ed to gain her feet. She
WIS so exhausted it required the united
efforts OF Miss Hobbs and the gentle
man to assist her In slighting. They
helped her 10 the waiting-room, and
were 40 Interested in getting her ticket
and finding out when the next train left
for Bridgeport. that when it occurred
to Miss Hobbs she had better go and get
on board her own train. she saw the last
car disappearing down the track.
Some women would have boon either
very much vexed or else frightened at
such uneeremOniOus behavior on the
part Of train they intended to take;
but not so with our friend.
1T is really goner' she said. turning
round and meeting the gentleman who
was also Fastening for the receding
cars. They looked at each other a
moment, and then they laughed
laughed as only those can whose con-
sciences approve Of a generous deed
performed. From that moment they
were friends. Then there were the tele-
graph messages to be sent; and these
little matters attended TO. there re-
manned three hours and a half before
the next express. Three and a half
hours Of waiting in a depot is not an
attractive programme for warm sum-
mer day under ordinary circumstances;
hence we infer that there must have
been something extraordinary to have
caused our two friends 10 be so oblivi-
Gus of the aight Of time.
ut will soon be time for our train, -
the gentleman remarked. ''If you will
excuse me. will look at my watch, ."
(they were walking on the back plat
form at the time). "Why! that must
be the one already waiting"
IF you had not looked as you did,
we might have had three hours longer
here, said Miss Hobbs as she stepped
aboard the car.
well, | can think of great many
worse things that might happen; and
the one that seems to me now to be the
most deplorable, is the thought that
perhaps we may not meet again"
Il hope we may, most sincerely"
replied Miss Hobbs.
Where are you to be the coming
week?"
II am en- route for Newport, and l
will give you my card"
How extremely fortunatew returned
her companion. II am expected at
the same place tomorrow. There is
no danger then, we will certainly get.
If you will write the number and street
of your Newport friends l can easily
find you. May call tomorrow even
ing?'
Il know of nothing to prevent"
1t was but two stations from New
port, and early dusk. when our friends
separated. Miss Hobbs, on looking at
the card left in her hand, read: "Mr
Runyon Mckenzie. 1t may have been
owing to the softening influences of
the hour, but certain it was that that
little bit of pasteboard received very
tender treatment. 1t was held caress-
ingly in Miss Hobbs two soft hands,
as though it was a very precious
souvenir, and she did not put it away
until the conductor called out: New
port"
"DOrothea, dear DOrotheam ex-
claimed Mrs. Gordon. How glad |
am TO see you! Let me look at you!
Not one bit changed except for The
betterl And | always did think you
the handsOmest, best, most charming
creature that ever lived. Can you be-
lieve it is five years since we were at
the seminary together? l have been
married four and half years. and
have two of the sweetest little cherubs
you ever saw. and the hest OF husbands
of course every COOL wife thinks
that"
Little Mrs. Gordon said oil this and
a great deal more while driving her
friend up from the depot in her pony
carriage. They had quiet dinner by
themselves. as Mrs. Gordon held to
the good old custom of giving her chill
dreu a five o'clock bread-and-milk re-
past and putting them TO bed with the
chickens. After dinner they sat on the
piazza and talked.
Il am sorry Otis was called away
professionally. this morning. to an ad-
iacent town He will come back to-
morrow morning. however, and be on
hand TO take us to the polo grounds in
She afternoon. There is one thing |
sincerely regret, and that is he is ca
pecting. tomorrow. n friend whom |
know we shall neither OF us care any
thing about. | should rather imagine,
~ 4 l.