The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-02
DogPoob that is nothing thisai7

mortal. i looked back at the heavy
figure of the deacon, whose feet. seemed
to me shod with lead.
"Will he never get here?" I thought,
and then an idea came to me. would
save time by getting aboard. And with
that intent I placed my foot on the
steps, and, unobserved, mounted the
car.
l had scarcely reached the platform
when Il heard the conductors warning
cry, announcing departure. turned at
once to wave to the deacon. He was
no longer visible. Secure in the assur-
ance that he must have seen me, and
believing that he had taken the car
nearest at hand and would soon come
through the train to me, opened the
door and entered the car.
1t was about two-thirds full, and /
noticed, soon after seating myself, that
the passengers seemed well acquainted
with each other, and that the CONVEX
sation was general and yoluble. I had
heard Of personally conducted parties,
and at once concluded that l had
CHANGED upon one of these Feeling
somewhat constrained and embarrassed
by the isolation Of my position among
them, I sat stiff and awkward, wishing
the deacon would appear, and occupy
ing myself with furtive observation of
my fellow travellers.
They looked to my inexperienced
eyes an unusual and somewhat motley
set, conspicuous by certain latitude
of costume and adornment, that almost
bordered upon eccentricity. They bore
general resemblance to each other
not that of feature or lineament, but OF
manner, action and word. The likeness
was professional, not a family, one.
l found myself soon seduced from per-
sonal perplexities by the gaiety and
merriment that were rife among them.
The air Of freedom and unconstraint
which seemed their native and accus-
toned atmosphere, charmed and fas-
cinated me. They were a new order. OF
beings in my universe, and I forgot
everything in the interest Of watching
them.
+ So intense was my preoccupation that
l failed to note the fact that they were
equally concerned with me- It would
have been impossible for me to imagine
that l. dull little country woman that r
felt myself to be. could possess anv
power of attraction for these bright
and brilliant butterflies. I had for the
nonce forgotten-onlyt for the nonc.:
usually my vanity keeps the fact large
lys before my self CONSCIOUSNESS T
was endowed with no niggardly supply
of that powerful attribute which
arouses at least the attention Of every
mortal who confronts it.
- know now, If did not heed it then.
that among that more or less attractive
group Of men and women, advantaged
according to their taste, by all the ex-
traneous accessories of art and fashion,
not one was there awho could awaken
as great interest and admiration In the
casual observer as the addressed. UNI
couthly- adorned, shabby girl of nine
teen, who sat vfcarieusly enjoying their
mirth and tollity. Il recignize the fact
now, and understand why they noticed
me: but then Il was less cognizant of
the power of beauty, and was surprised
at the effect 1t produced. For present
ly. as / regarded them with alert eyes.
a stout, good-natured looking woman
Of middle age roseT from her seat and
approached me.
ut seems a pity that you should be
sitting here byayourself, my DEAR she
remarked, with pleasant smile. "I
think you have probably made a mis-
take in the car, but it is of no conse-
uuence. This is Mr.. Greeley's private
car. You know who he Is, of course
the manager of the Transcontinental
Burlesque and Variety company. That
is he-tte gentleman with the forid
complexion and glasses. He wishes me
to tell you that the car Is quite at your
service and to ask you IL you would
not find it pleasanter to join us than to
sit here all alone.
She had an agreeable, pleasant man
ner and q winning, smile. There was
hcmely geniality about her that male
her seem an old friend. And her offer!
Ito introduce me to that class of be-
ings who had always seemed to me lit
tie lower than gods and goddesses! To