The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-08-09

| Lne coiu, insiEOfating air, couiu not Ou
admire the quiet tranquility that reigned
everywhere. The blue smoke was curl.
ing upward from number of white cot
tage chimneys that betokened warmth
peace and plenty inside. l dropped my
vaiise at the depo, and walked aimiessly
down the high grade approach of the inn
mense bridge. INDUCED in some ali
I castle building that was the nearest ap-
| proaeh to sentimen.alism that had oceu-
pied my thoughts for many a day. The
long train, now rumbIing along the far
ther end Of the bridge, and so far distant
that it resembled a toy train of cars, con-
tanned face and form that had awaken
ed new desires in me. A little white
cottage in some quiet place like this, a
wife, and mayhap a little toddler at my
knee-but nonsense l started back at a
rapid rate, breakfIsted, finished my busi-
ness. and took the next train for st.
Paul
lt was the time of the ice carnival, and
such throng of people, in outIandish
costumes. At night the city was gayly
Illuminated with myriads of electric
lights and its streets filled with noisy,
rollicking, gayly dressed crowds. hur-
ried through my business, which kept
me occupied for several days, and then,
being alone and having no personal ac-
quaintsnces in the city, did as the rest
did-bought blanket suit and a tasseled
cap and followed the crowd. | was not
willing 10 admit then, even TO myself,
why | stayed, as took 10 particular in
teres. in tobogganing, or freezing myself
standing on the corner watching the va
rious carnival companies in their pa
rades. But you can guess it. On the
third day | was rewarded. | was COM
ing down Third street the sidewalk was
filed with pedestrians, while the street
was in continual jingle of passing sIeighs
loaded with happy people. One turnout
that attracted my attention was remarka-
bly, fine
Three large horses were hitched abreast
"a semicircle of plumes over the central
horse, while the others were nearly COW
cred with bells. The heavy harnesses
were trapped with silver The sleigh was
low and broad, Hidden with robes, while
the driver, on a high seat in front, was
costumed like Cossack. There were two
occupants besides the driver-an old gen
tleman and lady. The gentleman was
so closely mufiied thai he wasalmost un-
recognizable, but the lady was the one
that had occupied upper seven. She
saw me, think, before / recognized her.
As the sleigh passed me and was reced-
ing she pulled her mittened hand from
her mutf and held it up, palm toward me
for an instant, behind the old gentleman,
and seemingly trying to avoid being seen
by Others, or the old gentleman himself.
There was a most tantalizing and be-
witching expression on her face as she
did this. In an instant the face was
gone
To say that was dumbfounded at her
action would hardly be expressing my
feelings. That she knew or OWNED my
efforts at palmistry in the car was certain
from her action. That she was amused
at my nonplussed expression was evident
from the suppressed mirth, fun, railery
and bushes which followed like quick
ripples over her face. To my embarrass-
nent she had turned the tables on me-
The twinkle that thought saw in her
eyes as she passed me that morning in
the car was not supposition. 1t was
reality.
made my way to my hotel and took /
the first train for home. On nv way to /
the depot | was afraid to look into wo- /
mans face, fearful that it would be she, /
and that some new phase of the matter
might reveal itself that / knew nothing /
Of or did not expect. The matter puzzled I
me for long time, but | never could I
come to any real opinion of how she OBJ I
tained the knowledge of my efforts at .
palmistry.