The Portland daily press., 1890-12-05
A MODEL FILTRATION.
a Railroad Episode that Ended
Pleasantly for All.
[Chicago Times ]


Chicago Times
/ believe some firtations do a man
positive good. The same may possibly
be said of woman, but being a man
myself l am not so sure about ii.
was recently returning to Kansas
City from an eastern trip had tsav-
eied two nights and day, and my jour
ney had been uneventful and tedious
enough. was in particularly suscep-
tible mood, think, and perhaps too
ready for any diversion that promised to
make the last day of my journey pleas
ant one.
It was at Roodhouse, Ills, l think,
that a young lady Of striking beauty
entered our car. Almost every avail
able seat was occupied. She came more
than half the distance of the car and
stopped opposite to me. I removed a
package from the seat I was occupying
and offered her a place beside me, which
she at once accepted.
AS she sat down had a good oppor-
tunity to note her appearance. She was
rather small and evidently quite young,
though she had manner and an ex-
preston offace that indicated knowledge
and culture beyond her apparent years.
She was exceedingly attractive. She
had an open, ingenious manner, an in
nocent soul that spoke Enthusiastically
through her dreamy blue eyes, and the
prettiest Of red lips. Her hair was
golden and her complexion was perfect,
and she presented picture that almost
fascinated me.
UNCONSCIOUS FAMILIARITY.
| cannot remember now how we be.
came acquainted. do not even remem-
Der the first words spoken. I only re-
member that we were soon engaged in
an interesting conversation without any
feeling Of restraint or embarrassment.
On my part, at least, it was one Of those
rare meetings where the stranger seemed
more like an old friend than new ac-
quaintance. She asked me many ques-
tons, which l answered to the best of
my knowledge, and in turn piled her
with interrogatories ON many different
subjects; for, while there was nothing
strihngly brilliant in her replies, she
had style of expression and other indi-
vidual characteristics of speech that
made me want to hear her talk continu-
ously, and then she had an innocent and
yet appealing look that enhanced the in
terest tenfold.
We must have shown our sudden lik-
ing for each other, and yet no one seem.
ed to take any heed of us, even though
we were in railway car, where people |
have little employment other than to
watch each other or to fall asleep.
We became better acquainted and
more interested in each other. AS the
young lady grew enthusiastic over
scene we were passing she laid her hand,
which saw was lily white and dainty,
on my arm, nor did she seem conscious
of the act.
Some time afterward, in an animated
conversation, she leaned toward me I'M
til her face was near to mine, and after
a moment | discovered that her arm
was lying on my shoulders, though
could not remember when she placed it |
there. And what may seem stranger |
still is that neither of us seemed at the |
time to think that our conduct might be |
improper or that any one would take |
special notice of it.
There are some people who can ex-
press more mischief i'll look than |
others could possibly put into a caress. |
I have already said enough to show that |
/ thought no less Of this young lady on
account Of her conduct, which saw was
the outgrowth Of innocence On the
contrary, was charmed by it.
SHE KISSED HIM AT PARTING.
LEARNED with much pleasure that my
new acquaintance would not leave the
car until we reached Odessa, which was
only an hours ride from my own desti-
nation. Instead of longing for the end
to come l found myself consulting the
time table frequently and counting the |
distance to Odessa, begrudging each |
mile the engine made. had no other |
motive than to make the most of this
acquaintance during the few hours to |
which it was necessarily limited. did |
not even learn the young ladys full |
name. Incidentally learned that her
Christian name was Mabel, though | re-
member now having heard her speak of
herself as Name.
That this unexpected meeting made
great impression on us both you will bet
ter understand when describe our
parting. On reaching Odessa / accom-
panied her to the platform, where as
sured her Of my feeling of obligation for |
such happy day. She seemed equally |
grateful to me. AS the bell rung for the |
train to start turned to say good-by, |
when to my surprise she put her arms
about my neck and kissed me. The ac-
ton was as innocent and, despite its IT. |
regularity, as modest as if had been
brother. There was not sign of a
blush, and not word was spoken. |
Somehow l felt no embarrassment on |
account of what had happened. AS I |
stepped on the moving train felt that
while we should probably never meet |
again our acquaintance had been great
pleasure and a refining benefit to me.
l do not think that Irritation in gen.
eral should be encouraged. l am sure
Of it. Just what effect such meeting
and such proceeding as I have de-
scribed might have on girls of different
ages and temperaments / will not at
tempt to say. But in this instance am
sure / did no harm. There is not the
slightest tinge of conscience as / remem-
Der the trustful, innocent expression in
those dreamy blue eyes as the fair
maiden kissed me good-by. The time
will doubtless come when she would
treat me differently under the same cir
cumstances Her years alone plead
strongly in excuse Of what l have re-
lated. / learned from her parents, who,
by the way, accompanied her, that she
is now RI years Old