Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-08-08
HIRAM'S ROMANCE.

Hiram S.illmln came from the nine
woods back 81 New brunswick to make
his fortune in New York. He had no
very ambitious hopes of becoming II
Nandcrbilt az an alderman, but he knew
something about horses, and he thought
he Nigh: get job as driver.
The folks down on the farm were Oh
posed to his going; they would have pre-
fcrrcd to have him marry the Youngest
daughter Of the Methodist parson and
settle down at home. Ills fathcr had
even gone 50 far rs tn offer him two
rooms on thc second floor of the oil farm
house and Il third Interest; in the farm,
with SOU down on the day OF his we'd
ding, but Hiram wanted to see the city.
ana his interest in the Methodist par
sons youngest daughter was very slirht.
lie came to New York with lust SIS in
SILVER IN his pocket, and Il shiny papicr-
mache railsc. AS soon rs he saw the
long, unb:okca line Of carts and draws on
West stree; ne gave up all idea OF bccom-
1n% Il driver. lie could guide a horse
down the furrow i'll front of the piow,
anu he could steer the hay wagon along
the country roads, but this writing puz.
"'e oi heavy drays ;nl trucks and the
swearing drivers dazcd and terrified him
lie wandered up Cortlandt street to
the City Hall PARK, which struck him rs
inc Neasantest part of the city that he
iiMl yet seen, and he sat down ON :,
nehch and looked around him wonder
in"iy with his valisc Shut in between hi-
Knees, for he knew what thieves and
snarpers there were prowling abou, in
TINS big metropolis. He had a great
curiosity to see thc Bowcry, of which
MS cousin Elijah had told him, and when
NJ was rested, and II little used TO the
NOISE and rush, and felt il little u;orc
confidence iii himself, H. asked one of
inc 'consia5les' i'll gray where the
Bowcry WAS. He was much relieved to
md 1t was So near NJ hand. and plunged
into the stream that flowed up Park Row
win vivid interest and yet with his senses
still alert foE possible sharpcrs. He was
much please; with the Cinnamon, and
observed them cautiously ut first, until
he saw they were used TO being stared ut i.
then he too; his till and stood for half an
hour on the corn:: OF Mott street pazinr
AT them and listening with puzzled in
fcrcst to their queer chatter. He was
rather surprised to find that 10 one else
seemed to notice them. He was also
much pleased with the pawnbroker's
shops, the cheap clothing stores and the
cheaper lodging houses which seemed to
promise such rare accommodations at
such moderate rates. He went into one
OF these where the rooms were Il quartz,
o. IL dollar Il day or II dollar Il week and
pad Tor week i'll advance. The man
IN his shirt sleeves behind the desk CAV,
HIM big key with Il brass tag to it, anG
he went up 10 his room and left his bae
there. He sauntcrcd out with nuitc ;
feeling OF being somebody, for the owner
ship OF the room gave him sense o
vested proprietary right in the metropolis
lie ielt almost like citizen and rattle
wished the folks at home could see him
There was a hidden hand-organ play
ing inside OF place, the front of whic,
was covered with coiorcd canvas sign
such as Hiram had seen billowing bcfor
the sideshows at the circus.
The pictures were very inviting. In
Hiram knew, from his experience at tn
circus, that they were not to be relic
on. lie stopped to look at then
though, and then he moved over to til
outer edge of II crowd of men VIII
stood gazing in through a pane of ola,
at a young woman. Hiram thought sl
was rather bold to sit there and be stare
at by so many men and he thought
was all the more pity because she wa
so young and so comely. She had a re
silk bodice and very large gold chai
around her neck, also reddish hair an
the fair complexion that always 20
with red hair.
Hiram thought her remarkably prctt
She looked as if she was put out abo
something or other and did not meet Il
eyes OF the men in front, but stared UP ov
their heads. Hiram wondered what 81
could DC doing and crowded up nearer
see.What be saw took his presence of mil
completely. away, for when he came ncu
or he discovered that the girl waa whc
TO the waist and that the lower part
hcr body was cut completely away.
Hiram had seen some dozen circuses
his time and many curious human frcns
as.they are very well called, but that
Woman who was so good to look
should have been born in this way fill
him with sudden pity and disgust.
Then he blushed and bowed his he
~ anguish Mt his own inexperience VIII