The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-10-10
HER FELLOW PASSENGERS STARED.
But the Huge Bug Crawling on Her
Shoulder Was Pet One, Securely Tied.

But the Huge Bug Crawling on Her
Shoulder Was a Pet One, Securely Tied.
A fair haired girl of eighteen, with
large blue eyes and a singularly attract
i've face, furnished heap of entertain
ment for the passengers who were riding
down town in crowded car on the
Sixth avenhe elevated train Thursday
morning. The girl boarded the train
at the Twenty eighth street station at
Q o'clock She wore a gown of some
plaid stuff in neat pattern. The waist
was cut low at the neck and held up at
the shoulders by small silk straps. 1t
was filled in about the throat with puffs
of snowy tulle that fitted tight around
the neck. A neat leather satchel slung
over her left shoulder with strap COM
pleted her slightly attire. She had scarce
ly stepped into the car when gentle
man caught sight of her pretty face, and
rose instantly and with a low bow sur
rendered his seat on one of the cross
benches.
Five minutes later everybody in the car
was watching the girl with absorbed in
terest. It wasn't on account of her win
some face either. A large Brazilian bug,
with brilliant shell, that crawled
slowly along the surface of the tulle
putting at her throat, had caught their
eyes. Passengers near by quickly de-
tected that the bug was fastened to the
waist Of her gown by a tiny gold chain.
The bug climbed several times over the
top Of the putting upon the girls white
neck. The tickling caused by it's feet
apprised her of the fact, and each time
she tenderly lifted the insect up and re-
placed it upon the tulle. She saw the
passengers staring at her in astonish-
ment, but paid no attention to their
scrutiny.
When the train reached Eighth street
an elderly woman got on and sat down
in a seat directly opposite the handsome
girl. She caught sight of the Brazilian
bug minute or two later. It startled
her so that she started up from her seat.
Then she stared around at the other pas
sengers for minute with a dazed look.
Finally, unable longer to control her
agitation, she got up, crossed the car
and put her lips to the ear of the self
possessed girl.
.'Excuse, me, MISS" she exclaimed in
an agitated whisper, "but you have a
queer fly crawling on your dress"
Many of the passengers roared out
right at the announcement, and the old
lady blushed and sank back into her
seat in confusion. The handsome girl
smiled sweetly and looked at the old
lady with quiet nonchalance.
Don't get nervous, madam" she said.
81 know the bug is there. It can't get
away, and she caught it up and let the
tiny gold chain and manacles dangle ali
instant to show that the insect was
prisoner.
A well dressed man who had been
gazing at the girl for long time turned
to a reporter who sat beside him and
said:
"That's a common enough fad in
India, where young women have fancy
for fastening pet Brazilian bugs to their
dresses, but it is the first time ever saw
the odd fashion copied in this city, at
least in public. It's mere within, and
it might become craze. You can't tell
about such things, you know"
The pretty girl got off at the Battery
place station, and tripping lightly down
stairs to the street strolled through
Battery park. Pedestrians stopped and
turned about and stared after her, brit
no one spoke to her and she spoke to !,
one. Her bearing was ladylike, but she
often smiled slightly at the surprise OF
those who passed her.-New York Sun.
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