The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-05-30
In A STREET CAR.
BY EMMA A. oPPER.

EVERYBODY that met Gussy Coleman that
morning looked at her admiringly; and
certainly a pretty girl, stylishly arrayed,
red-chceked aud bright.eyed, and in the
best of spirits, is an agreeable object.
There was no special reason for Gussy's
good spirits, aside from the fact that she
was out for morning of shopping; but
to young lady who was as fond of wan
derng up and down through the de-
lightful mazes of dry-goods stores as
was Miss Coleman, that was ample cause
for rejoicing.
Her shopping to day was somewhat
mythical; all she had been able to put
down on her tablets, after industrious
effort to think of something she needed
was a stick of braid and paper of hair
pins. But she knew she was sure to see
something she would want-something
she couldn't get along without; and, at
worst, there were certain to be bargains,
for "this day only" in gloves, and
handkerchiefs, and fancy feathers, and
hosiery, and stand scarfs, and mantle
ornaments.
She found herself four miles from home
with three large bundles, and a pocket
full Of smaller articles, and a shrunken
peck etb book, at half-p past eleven.
She had bought soda. water and
pound of marsh -malows. and had
dyspeptic lunch of oyster patties and hot
chocolate and ecaires, and she was feel
ing very bright and comfortable as she
ha led a homcward- bound car.
A large share of her complacence was
due to the fact of her having bought two
handkerchiefs at eight cents apiece, and
a pair of gloves for forty nine cents. She
was aware that she should never think
of using them; she should probably give
them 10 Nora as soon as she reached
home; but that did not diminish her ex-
treme satisfaction in their purchase.
There was nobody in the car but an
old gentleman reading newspaper in a
corner, a young man leaning forward,
with a Eliminating expression, and his
hands clasped over his umbrella handle,
and two old ladies in Grape bonnets.
Gussy deposited her bundles on the
seat at her side-all but one, which
rolled over to the floor The young man.
who was Immediately opposite, rescued
it hastily.
Gussy smiled sweetly; he was an un-
commonly ce-lOoking young man. He
oiAiAlNU III lNAulA, anu IdlSCN HIS nat, lnt
conductor took her fare and rang his
bell, and the car jingled on.
The old gentleman in the corner had
laid down his paper, aud was fiXedly re-
garding her. Gussy looked at him. He
was small, plump old gentleman, with
a bristly white mustache, aud eyes of an
almost unnatural brightness. 1t seemed
as though she had seen him somewhere
before.
Her suspicion was verified by the old
gentleman's getting up suddenly and
coming over to her side almost on'a run.
"Why, don't you recognize me, my
dear young friend /" he demanded, with
loud anxiety, sitting down close at her
side, and throwing his paper to the floor
-Gussy observed, with surprise, that he
had been holding it wrong-side up.
Don't you know your fathers oldest
and most devoted friend - Seymour
Proggett2n
Gussy did recall the name. The sound
of il brought up a faint recollection of
something peculiar something doubt
full; but she couldn't remember what.
She knew at last that her father had had
no connection with Mr.. Proggett for
years. But meeting the eager gaze of
his shining eyes, she could do no less
than to smile family, with a murmured
word.
"Why to -be-sure-why, to-be-cer-
tainP Mr., Proggett went on in high