Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-06-03
SHE WAS A BEAUTY
BUT YOU CAN'T ALWAYS BANK ON
A PRETTY FACE OR FIGURE.

BUT YOU CAN'T ALWAYS BANK on
A PRETTY FACE OR FIGURE.
The Colonel Tells of an Experience ON n
Ohio River steamboat-The Story Of {
Beautiful Girl, an Unusually Homel1
Girl and Man.
As the writer was talking to retired
colonel in front Of an uptown hotel a
few days ago very handsome woman
passed them, and the writers eyes went
after her almost as fast as the colonel 8
did.
"By Zucksl" exclaimed the writer
"Isn't she pretty?"
Rather, - admitted the colonel. "but
beauty is something you can't most al
ways sometimes bank on, especially the
beauty Of woman's face or figure. ="
''Well, it's always good to look at,
anyhow"
"Of course, and sometimes it g lasting
and actual. but oftener the very pretty
woman is not the most attractive.
"Still, there's charm in beauty"
insisted the writer as he strained his
eyes around the corner to get farewell
view Of the f1eeting vision.
"Now, here's where come in with a
story" " laughed the colonel, who always
makes his points with story. "When
was man of 35, was on one occa-
sion going down the Ohio river from
Cincinnati to Louisville. AS I passed in
to the cabin Of the steamboat that was
to carry me I saw two young women of
90 and 20, say, standing on the guards,
evidently waiting for some one I no
ticed them because one was SO pretty
that man would have been reasonable
to all his manliness not to have seen
her. She was gray eyed, with beauti-
full complexion, soft silken hair and
figure which was grace itself. As the
young man of today would say, she was
scorker. Her companion was as home
ly as the other was pretty-so homely
that I felt sorry that she had to carry
such face around with her. Who or
what they were had no means Of know
ing, but was glad that was going ON
Of the pretty girl.
81 went back to my stateroom, and
in few moments thereafter I heard
women's voices in the cabin near my
door, I noticed then that had left it
open, and as I closed it / saw the two
young women had the stateroom ad-
joining mine and were just entering it.
They didn't see me, and I closed the
door, feeling elated over the idea that
as soon as possible would make the
acquaintance of my pretty neighbor.
Then, as began to slick up for the con-
quest, I heard voices in the next room.
One was sharp and angry, the other soft
and pleading. could only catch an oc-
casional word, but l learned they were
sisters, and one Of them was reading
the riot act to the other.
ssAfter awhile enc Of them stepped
out on the guards, and, though didn't
care to peep out, could hear her abus-
ing everything in sight. She was out
side only minute or two, returning to
thanked my stars that had been thus
placed, because by the merest chance I
had been let into the secrets of the dis
positions of these two sisters, and I
wondered why it was that beauty
couldn' It carry other charms as well. At
the same time made up my mind that
the conquest I was on the point Of max
ing, or hoping to make, would be in
definitely postponed. AS the boat pulled
out went forward to look at the city
we were leaving. and when l came into
the cabin again the supper table
stretched away down the length Of it,
and caught the appetizing odor Of ham
and coffee and that sort of thing.
"I knew the captain, and he invited
me to seat at his table, and when I
sat down, behold! my two young wom-
en- sat opposite. The captain Of course
knew them, and at once presented me.
They were rather quiet at first, and
most of the talk was carried on by the
captain and myself was watching the
homely girl now, because was afraid
I would have to run up against the tenn
per of the pretty one, and I didn't want
to be any further disillusionized. It was
enough to simply look at her, for, by
Joye, temper or no temper, she was a
beauty. But was hungry, and as Twas
getting my supper i'll eating shape I
stopped talking, and all at once the
tones of the voice had learned in my
stateroom filed the vacancy my voice
had left. I was almost afraid to look
up, but I did, because it wasn't the
pretty girls voice at all. never felt SO
relieved in my life, and that night as
we sat on deck in the moonlight told
her all about it and lot more. -
'sAnd was she up to her beauty i'll
all respects?" inquired the writer.
ssThe finest woman I ever met" said
the colonel heartily.
"Why did you let her escape?"
"Who said did?'' laughed the colo
mel, showing the writer beautiful me-
dallion of his wife, which he carried
with him always. Washington Star.
The wood rat of the western slopes OF
the Cascade range is curious creature
that loves to steal SO well that it is
known to many as the camp robber. 1t
~a,,rSoe off ANYTHING il ean Law its lpS