Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-10-17
A CUP OF COFFEE.
By Hero Strong.

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"Ten minutes for refreshments!
sang out the conductor, with grahol-
louuent air, as if he were conscious OF
enunciating a very highly important
truth, when he knew and every one
else knew, that he was telling down.
right falsehood, for the ten minutes
promised would dwindle into five, and
then the warning bell would be struck,
and lunchIess passengers would Doll
their Threats with scalding tea and
coffee, and rush for their seats with
the comfortable impression that they
had drank it, and saved their money,
even if they had got their threats
Scalded.
George Rossmore knew very we'll
that there would not be half time
enough to eat anything in Christian
manner, for he had travelled a great
deal in his life; but his head ached,
and he was out of sorts generally, and
cup of coffee was all important.
So he left his comfortable seat, rush
ed into the refreshment room, called
for his beverage, and did his best to
put himself outside of it when it came.
But it was absolutely boiling, and in
his frantic efforts to cool it, by pour
ing it into a saucer, his elbow was
logged by somebody beside OF him, and
spilled the scalding contents OF his
cup on the lovely silk dress Of a lady
on the other side.
Rossmore was not a lady's man; he
detested women generally. He had
been Tilted in his youth by a golden
haired little wretch of a flirt, and he
had given the sex a good deal of sea-
room ever since.
But he must, CT course, apologize
for running her dress, and he turned to
do so. The lady turned also, gave one
look into the handsome face, so full
of concern and so far above her-for
she was a little thing, and Rossmore
was six-foot giant-and then with
scream of delight she flung her arms
around him, pulled his face down to
hers, and gave him a-series of kisses
which fairly knocked all ideas of
everything out of his brain.
Ding! ding! ding! dong!" went the
COMPOUNDED bell, and the lady seized
Rossmores arm and hurried him to
the car.
1--WE shall lose the train, Willie" she
said, Juggling at his hand, land that
would be so unfortunate. Help me up,
do. Where's your manners? declare!
you act like a pig!" And before Ross
more knew how it had been accom-
plished he found himself sitting very
close to a most ravishing French hat,
with lavender ribbons; and peeping
out from beneath it, perilously be-
witching face, with blue eyes and lips
like a rifted pomegranate. And she
had kissed him!
After all, it wasn't so dreadfully I'M
pleasant to think of as it might have
| been.
I'VE didn't expect you on this train, -
said the fair girl, pulling at the but
ton Of her glove. Dear me, how 1 de-
test that kind of a button!-and I was
going On before you. Florence will
be delighted to see you! Tell me,
please, are you going to propose to
| Florence?"
She crept up very close to him as she
asked the question, and laid her little
hand confidentially on his arm.
'I-I don't know" said Rossmore.
"rhat is, l don't feel acquainted with
her."
The fair unknown laughed Such a
/ silvery and enchanting laugh as she
had.
"You don't? Well, that is good!
How long does it take to get acquaint-
ed with her? You've only known her
fifteen years to my certain knowledge
Dear me, you have ruined my dress!
The whole cupful went over it,
sho.ild say. And I drank mine boil
ing. l knew it would be just SO, but
when 1 am travelling nothing sets me
up like cup of Coffee
By this time Rossmore had got
breath, and began to realize that things
must not go on as they had begun. He
cleared his throat, but he had a fear
| Aul I1AIC oo1A5 ~, e1AAu LID SoAh peIAAoA
grew very much concerned for him.
my, Willie" said she, whatever
ais you? You must have taken colo
or else you've got the catarrh! YOl
make worse noise than old Grand
father Hillard!"
There has been a mistake" sale
Rossmore. at was al owing to thai
Internally hot cup of coffee! Beg YOU
pardon for using the long word, bu
but l shouldn't have spilled it if il
hadn't been SO hot
ooh! never mind! a dress isn't worth
fresting about. l forgive YOU"
Eyes, but my name is not Willie!'
mot Willie? What is it, wonder?'
She had crept up close to him again
and was Ticking the cinders off hi
coat collar.
"My name is George RossmOre!" h