The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-26
A CHANCE
ACQUAINTANCE.
What Befell Young Man Who
Was Smitten by a Pretty Face.
Written for THE SUNDAY CALL.

Written for THE SUNDAY CALL.
A tall, muscular man, with fine face and
pleasing manner, called on me few days
since and handed me a small roll of manu-
script, saving that possibly it might be oil
some interest to the public. Following is the
story as it was written:
] was the only passenger on Valencia
street dummy one rainy night last winter
1t was between 10 and II o'clock when the
car stopped at Tenth and Market streets tO
take aboard young lady with a dripping
umbrella and gosSamer. Contrary to my
expectations this petite bit of femininity,
regardless of exposure to the driving rain,
stepped quickly upon the dummy, glanced
at me an instant and then proceeded to make
herself as comfortable as circumstances
would permit. l quickly arose from my
somewhat sheltered seat in the corner and
begged her to accept it. She gave me- an
other glance-heavens, what dark, luStrous
ewes she had i-thanked me, smiled charm
| ingly, and accepted the protfered corner, l
never knew what 'tfrst-sight" love was; but
when / gaZed at that pretty. finely chiseled
face peering from the wet gosSamer hood,
which had been pushed back until few
ringlets of jet-black hair could be seen ca
reSSing the white brow, something Under the
lett lapel Of my coat gave thump which l
am positive the fairy in the corner could have
heard had not the car at that moment ratified
in passing over a crossing. | do not know
how often glanced in the direction OF that
corner before the car had Travelled three
blocks, and at each glance my heart re-
doubled its beatS-not without cause, now
ever, for my eyes looked straight into hers
each time, and on that fact based the opin-
ion that she was gazing steadily at me all the
time. tried to iialter myself that my opln-
ion was correct When the car neared FIJI
tenth street the little face in the corner in
clined slightly toward me and gentle voice
anXiously said:
"Will you please inform me what O'clock
it is?"
with pleasure" I replied, my heart in
the meantime coming in ON the home-Stretch
at the rate of eighteen jumps per half
second; 1T is now fifteen minutes past
eleven o'clock"
$50 late!' she exclaimed. "Oh, what will
papa" She ceased suddenly and blushed
delieiously.
| did not know precisely what to do or
say after this exclamation, but thought
that if her papa, whoever he might be,
would dare to speak harshly to such an
angel he should De chained in dungeon.
Finally L ventured TO remark that If L
could be of any assistance to her, my time
and ability was at her dIsposal-and L
might have added with equal Lruthfulness,
al,o my throbbDg heart.
You are very kind, SIR" she replied, with
slight tremOr IN her voice, but you could
not in any way assist me, only'-and she
laughingy added, you could, perhaps,
endure IL portion of the scoldlng which
papa will give me for staying out SO late.
| admitted that l could endure scoiding
for her. and that it would give me I'M
bounded pleasure TO be scolded forever II
she would look on and smile occasionally.
She said no more until We neared Twen-
tieth street, when she gently touched my
arm and said: "Please tell the man to stop
the car; live on Twentieth street. -
"Allow me TO accompany you to your
home; it is so late" l said.
"Oh, no, thank you: papa will be watch
ing for me. Goodnight"
before | could get up from the seat TO as
sist her in alighting, she jumped quickly off
the car, aud DO sooner lind her feet touched
| the slippery cobbles than she uttered little
| scream anu sank 10 the ground. | hastily
| leaped from the car and ran to her.
"Oh, my loot slipped on cobble-stone,
| and my ankle is sprained so that | cannot
walk" she piteously exclaimed.
Never mind, L am strong enough to carry
! the car, sir; we're ali right now"
| The car ratified on, and tenderly picked
| up my precious burden. 1t was rather slow
| work. trudging along with this rather heavy
| morsel Of sweetness, while the wind WAS
| blowing gale, though the rain had ceased.
| The pam she suffered was intense, and her
| sobs penetrated my heart
'W hat is your name, little sufferer"
inquired.
MY name? Eva Thomas" she said.
"ADd yourS?'
Rudolph Franks" replied.
here We are at home, she said. sit is
strange papa is not looking for me- and
there are 10 lights in the house. / Will sill
here ON this sheltered step while YOU go up
and call papa to ASST st YOU There too many
steps for you to climb with such heavy
| burden as L.
We had reached flight of steps leading
| from the sidewalk to an elegant residence
| situated high above the street. | was 10th
| to release my sweet burden, but her will
was law. aud we sat side by side for short
! time. In the few moments spent there L told
| Eva of the passion Of my heart, and how
| happy | would be to always carry her over
my arms now, and one of her little hands
| had slipped under my coat and rested Il mo-
| ment ON my beating heart. She drew il
| away quickly and said: ION, Mr.. Franks
your heart is pleading 50 ardently that
| cannot refuse you" | pressed her to nv
besom and kissed her blushng cheek: then
remembering her painful ankle, | wrapped
| my overcoat about iier and ran quickly up
the steps.
go around to the back door, DEAR" she
called 10 me.
| 1t required but few minutes to find the
| back door, and by dnt of loud knocking and
calling l succeeded in ar0using a servant
| maid, who raised a window and asked what
was wanted.
Miss Thomas has sprained her ankle Sc
verely, and wishes her father to help her UP
| the stairs" | called out.
''Who?' said the woman.
Miss Thomas-Eva Thomas ~ | impa-
| tiently answered. rs her father in the
| house?"
Il guess you must be mistaken in the
house, ST" replied the woman. mo
| Thomas lives here"
l apologized for the intrusion, and she
banged the window. | hurried down the
stairs to Eva. My overcoat was there. but
the little figure it Lad encirced was not.
was dumfounded Presently clock in a
neighb0ring house struck l.
| rs ii so late as that?' asked myself.
| reached in my pocket for my watch. 1t
| was not there With feverlsh haste |
thrust my hand into the inside pocket of
my coat. My wallet was not there--neither
| was the S2S5 which it contained.
The cars had stopped running before
made up my mind to 90 home, and had to
walk. Had they been running | would have
walked also, for my sweetheart had not left
me nickel. l still yearn for her.
j. E. TorHERoH.
recent scarf-pin represents n crab hold