Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-09-22
A FAIRY OMNIBUS.

1 think everybody gets touch of ro-
nance some time in his life. The
green glade of olden days is probably
replaced by busy street, your armor
clad knight by city man in frock
coat and silk hat, your distressed damsel
is practical, level headed, energetic
little typewriter perhaps. The actors
are changed, the scene is changed, but,
believe me, the element of romance is
Just the same as it was in the days of
| chiyalry.
Now, I dare say you would scarcely
| believe that bald headed, middle aged,
stout old solicitor like me-getting ev-
cry day more engrossed in business, and
more and more apt to be trifie crusty
in my temper. owing to q tiresome liver
was ever sufficiently interesting" to
play the part of a modern knight errant.
Let me tell you all about 1T, and how
it ended. It's commonplace enough, 1
know, and dare say most of you have
gone through something similar, but If
it does nothing else it may perhaps serve
to stir up pleasant memories.
had nearly completed my articles,
and was reading hard for my ''final, +"
when one morning the firm told me to
go to client who was i'll and take in
structions for her will.
She was an old maiden lady living in
Paddington, and our people had trans
| acted all her business for her for some
thing like 40 years.
1t was a wet day-one of those days
that we get from time to time in Lon
don, when you feel as if you would like
to go to bed and not get up again until
things have changed.
Holborn was like little river, and
the traffic stopped and splashed along in
way that made you feel damp even to
watch.
[ stood on the curbstone waiting for
a chance to cross without being smoth-
cred with mud, when 1 noticed a girl
standing near me. She, too, was trying
to cross.
1t was very funny to see her. She was
evidently from the country, and d1dn' {
at all understand the London traffic.
Three times she started, and three times
she turned back in despair.
watched her with interest. There
was an amusing expression of good tenn
pered misery on her face. She was pret-
ty-very pretty-and daintily dressed,
and-well, seized my opportunity like
an articled clerk who is worth his salt
is bound to do.
Excuse me-" / said, raising my
hat, "but think you want to cross the
road.
She looked rather startled.
'I think shall get on all right.
she answered, "if you would kindly
tell me when to start. :"
Suppose we try together? Give me
your arm. +"
She did not give me her arm. took
it, and we started On our pilgrimage.
In and out the cabs and omnibuses /
guided her safely until we got to about
the middle of the road, which, as you
know, is very wide opposite Furnival's
inn Suddenly she hmped and gave a
funny little hop.
I'm very sorry she said, laughing,
''but-I'm afraid my shoe has come
off. 1t stuck in the mud.
L looked around. Sure enough, few
yards behind rs was shoe lying in
the mud, looking very lonely and get
ting horribly wet.
"Can you stand here for moment, "
1 said, ''while fetch it?''
1 left her there, standing on one foot,
with the tip of a little stockinged toe
Just touching the ground to steady her.
a cab driver who happened to pass
found the situation amusing and said SO
candidly, but I'm proud to say that
managed to keep a grave face. The shoe
was such a small one that l maryeled
how a human being could ever get it
on, much less get it off again.
Now :. saint from heaven can't put a
lady's shoe on for her without seeing
her ankle. didn't try to. thoroughly
enjoyed that little ankle and fingered
over the task with becoming solemnity
in spite of the weather.
at last we were ready to start again.
1T was very kind Of you not to laugh
at me, " she said, with little blush. 81
must have looked very silly, standing
there on oDe foot. y
''You looked very charming. p" said,
with young mans bluntness.
l landed her safely on the path, and
she thanked me.
asked her if could be of any fur
ther service. She thought not. She only
wanted to get into a Paddington bus,
and then she would be quite safe
Now 1 wanted Paddington bus, but
l didn't say so. AS soon as one came up
1 stopped it. put her inside and went
on top myself
Perhaps you will think me qu1xonc
for going outside in such miserable
weather. Well, 1 believe you would
have done the same thing after all You
see. was afraid she might think was
nestering her if l followed her inside
1t looked rather like taking advantage
of a trifiing service, and 1 was at that
are when man would rather have