The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-02-01

But when twilight had merged into
evening Gertrude Birds brown head
began to show most une quivocal symp.
toms OF weariness then began nv
first positive trouble. Finally the nod
ding head settled in its own way over
and over 1T dropped towa me, till at
last 1t settled wearily on my shoulder,
and Miss Gertrude Birds thoughts
were In neither State lying between
montana and Massachusetts,, but in the
iairy realms Of Dreamland. Not that
the little head was serious encum-
orance, because OF it's weight simply
u no! but, then, this was q decidedly
novel position in which /, a bachelor,
foupd myself, and 1t was not until
every Tired occupant of the car had
CLIMBED into sleeper that she wax :
cned.
Then Miss Bird lifted her littls bead
and said with u blush "Oh I must have
slept little Aud fear must have
haen an encumbrance 10 you, Mr.. Parti
cular " v
And again, In accordance with the
dictates Of my good nature. was
forced to assure her that had moi.
been ia the least encumbered by The
weight OF her head; "iu fact, thoup ht
sslf."
Aud 80 it went on all that Journey. I,
Paul Particular, serving as Miss Bras
cavalier by day.
Finally We arrived in Boston whom.
after seeing Miss Bird safely on the
train bound for x, l took up nv
quarters at Easy's hotel again. When
"e par!od Miss G 5rtrude repeatedly
thanked mo for my kindness, assuring
me that She shou,d got on nicely the
rem 1"n. 81 the journey, aud extending
no a cordial Invitation to go out to
u and visit her homo and her
mOtter.
do not know how it came to pass I
DO not think when l went out to x
| had any thought beyond icquiring
how Miss Gertrude Bird had recover.
ed from the hthigue OF tho journey. |
am very sure that l had no idea OF
takiOg to myself a lifelong eucum-
6ranc,, an | assuming the responsi =
Nties OF looking after not only shuwls,
satchels and baskets, but household
fixtures and wardrOb, generally dur.
ing al my luturc. Bat DO not under
stand me that L implies to Miss Bird
with GrawioE ms into such 10 step .or
[ solemnly assert here TIA. b.i'ev.
Shat young lady was as surprised as
myself alter We realized that all this
has actually came about. Neither
under stand nc that [ regret or would
recall this event. 1, alone, am to
blame.
| was at sister Ellen'a the other day
and the first thing she said to INC was,
Why, Paul. what Is all this | hear
about you? You going to ba married
l am delighted, though | always did
think you were cut out for a bachelor.
But your journey helped you in more
ways than your dyspepsia"
| submitted to Ellen's congratula-
ttons t'he always did say malicious
th1ngs) and tho children's shouts and
kisses.
In fact am getting quite resigned
to my prospective fate. IT is only once
In Il hile, as in the present instance,
when L am in rage al having lost the
last train ont to *, that tho wan
ing spirit of my bachelorhood urges
mo to pour out into 50 ne sympathizing
ear my complaint. But, after all, /
really don't hGlievo that | should con.
slider that man my true friend who
should offer to condole with me. The
die is cast, aud take homo my future
with its attendant joys and sorrows,
hoping that the former will be many,
and the latter lew.
L invite you, one and all, readers,
ou1 to Pcimrose cottage next May, and
|, Paul Particular, married man, will
Introduce you to my circumference.