The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-09-03
How Littlepage
Took Care of Her.

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Littlepage was typical southern
gentleman. A young man, he belonged
to the old school His family was
one of the few in Alabama which were
wealthy after the war had closed. He
had been brought up in the good old
way. He had quick temper, a ready
revolver and what most people would
say was an exaggerated idea of cour-
tesy and chivalry TO women. He went
through college and then through a
technical school, coming out with
degree as electrical engineer. Then he
came north to take a position with
large manufacturing corporation. With
in a few months he had made many
warm friends who admired him both
for his ability and for his courtly man.
ners
Finally he was ordered by his COM
pany to go east to look over an electric
al invention which they were thinking
about buying. The train left at 3
o'clock in the afternoon. He was de-
layed in reaching the station. and it
was within few minutes of traintime
when he clambered on the rear end of
| the sleeping car. AS he mounted the
| steps a man opened the car door and
came out. 1t was Larsen, young law
yer, with whom he was well acquaint-
| ed in business way.
"Why, hello, Littlepage," said the
lawyer. "Where are you going?
New York." said Littlepage.
"Great luck" Larsen answered.
| duce you to my wife. She's called to
New York by her mothers illness.
| couldn't go with her, and I've been
worried about letting her make the trip
| alone. l know you'll be glad to look
| out for her and see that she gets
through all right"
ut will be a great pleasure to me"
said Littlepage, with one of his best
bows.
| Mrs. Larsen was q pretty woman.
After Littlepage had been presented
| the car before the train started. Lit
tlepage sat down in the seat with her
and soon found that she was as pleas
ant and entertaining as she was good
looking. 1t was really great piece Of
luck for him. 1t promised to make a
tiresome trip rather pleasant than
otherwise. Mrs. Larsen had often
heard her husband speak of him. He
was from Alabama? He had fought a
duel or two? Was it true that he had
actually shot man? Did he always
carry a revolver?
Littlepage tried to explain his deli
cate ideas of honor and the proper way
to protect it. She seemed to be half
afraid OF him, and as Littlepage was a
young man that did not detract from
her charm.
Half way across the state. at little
way station, fat man with big black
mustache and a huge diamond stud
got on the car and sat down across the
aisle in a seat where he could stare
Mrs. Larsen full in the face. At the
first glance Littlepage disliked him.
He looked impertinent. His appear
ance put Littlepage almost into a rage.
He had an insOlent stare, and it SEEM
ed that he could hardly keep his eyes
off pretty Mrs. Larsen. Half a dozen
times Littlepage glanced up only to
catch his bold, black eyes staring
across the aisle. He wondered if Mrs.
Larsen had noticed it. Finally he
spoke TO her.
"That man across the aisle is looking
at you in an impertinent way" he said.
If you'll allow me, I'll go over and
make him stop it.''
| Mrs. Larsen begged that he would
do nothing of the kind. She had not
noticed that he was staring at her. AT
any rate, she was sure there was nc
occasion to make a scene.
Littlepage assured her that he was
not in the habit OF making scenes
which could be embarrassing to wo
men. When he spoke to impertineni
people, they obeyed him without max
ing any loud objections. That was one
reason why a gentleman should always
carry a revolver.
Presently the fat man got up and
went out into the dining car. A few
minutes later Littlepage asked Mrs
Larsen if she was ready to dine. She
explained that she had eaten luncheon
just before taking the train and did moi
care for dinner. So Littlepage went
into the dining car by himself. He de
bated whether he should accost the fat
man and hold him to account for hi!
impertinences. but finally concluded
that he would hardly be justified undel
the circumstances.
: While Littlepage was drinking hi
coffee the fat man got up and walked
out of the dining car into the sleeper
Ten minutes later Littlepage followed.
J As he stepped into the sleeper h'
stopped suddenly as if paralyzed b.
what he saw. Up at the other end O
the car, where he had left Mrs. Lar
, sen. she was still sitting, and in tn
, same seat with her was the fat man
; 1t took Littlepage but a second to de
, eide on a plan of action. The imperti
3 nent wretch had evidently taken ad
vantage of his absen..e to go over ant
sit down by Mrs. Larsen. She wa