Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-02-22
10 acquire more than smattering Of

developed some facility in its compo-
sitloii; while for music It was acknowl.
edged that / had more than ordinary
ability. I was painfully conscious
that my mental equipment was very
poor one, and wondered whether my,
uncle would keep much company dur.
Ing his stay in England, what sort Of
people his friends were, and In what
manner they would regard a young
gentleman Of such slender attainmcnts
as mine.
Both my uncle and aunt endeavored
to make me talk, but they were not
very successful in their efforts, and
little more was said before our car
rlage passed rapidly through North
gate street, Bury st: Edmund's. and
dashed into the station yard there.
Uncle Sam was the first to alight.
"Sec to your aunt and the luggage
there, Ernest" he said. and then ran
up the stairs three steps at a time.
HE Is always like this when we
start ON a Journey" observed aunt
Gertrude, as I assisted her out Of the
carriage. 1--WE have ten or twelve
minutes to spare, and during that time
he will despatch at least that number
of kilograms. have never known him
to content himself SO long without
business as during his stay ut your
house."
The luggage had been labeled and
put into the brake, my aunt and l
were comfortably ensconced in oppo-
site corners of the first-class compart-
ment which had been specially re-
served for us, and the train began to
move out of the station before uncle
Sam emerged from the telegraph
office. But he was equal to the occa-
sion. Jumping lightly into the car.
riagc he shut the door with slam,
and seated himself as far from us as
possible. Begging his wife to enter
tain me as well as she could, he pro-
duced a large pocketboOk and pencil.
and at once became engrOssed In some
study, nor did he again open his lips
until we reached London.
The changeful weather-exhilarating
sunshine alternating with gloomy
clouds from which descended heavy
showers of rain greatly interested
my aunt, who for my edification CON-
pared the climates of England and
North America as our train sped
through the low-lying Essex meadows.
LiEo most Americans who visit Eng
land she was uncomfortably affected
by the chilly dampness of our climate,
and visibly shivered, though she was
cnvcloDed in thick wool rug. Though
our acquaintance had been so brief.
had developed very real regard for
my youthful American aunt. whose
kindly consideration and uniform gen.
tlcness excited my admiration. AS ]
scrutinized her delicate features
noted their wistful expression. and
experienced feeling akin to pity for
her-for l instinctively felt there could
exist no bond of sympathy between
this gentle lady and her husband.
No other part of England is SO de-
pressing as the horrid region between
Romford and Liverpool street through
which the Great Eastern Railway
Company conveys its London bound
victims. Between those places the
senses Of sight, hearing and smell are
grossly outraged, and when the un-
fortunate traveller finds himself once
more OH terra frma he staggers like
one awakened from nightmare, his
limbs stiffened by the close packing to
which they have been subjected. and
his mind and stomach disgusted by
the denominations he has seen and
shifted.
1t was with great relief we alighted
from the train. A splendid carriage
awaited us, into which we at once en-
tered, our luggage being piled upon q
cab which was to follow. Dark clouds
had gathered in all around, and the
rain descended in torrents as we drove
westward out of the city. At a few
minutes past p. m-nearly four hours
after we left Holdenhurst Hall-our
carriage turned out of the main road
into De We're Gardens, Kensington,
and drew w in front of my uncle's
house there.
1t was a large house, furnished as
luxuriously as possible. Illuminated
throughout by electricity, though here
and there was an oil lamp which shed
q subducd light on the objects around.
Everything in the place seemed abso-
lutely new-as l have no doubt it was
and the best of it's kind obtainable.
the evidences Of wealth on every hand
contrasting strongly with my COM
Portable but unpretentious home In
Suffolk.
The footman had just closed the
door after admitting us, and was de-
voutly hoping that / might neither see
nor be seen by my aunt's sister before
l had had an opportunity Of making
myself tolerably presentable-which
could certainly not be the case with
any one Immediately after n seventy
FIVE mile journey on the Great East
crn Railway-when the young lady Of
whom l was thinking tripped lightly
down the stairs, and throwing her
arms around my aunt, embraced her
in manner which drove me wild
with envy. The next minute, how
ever, Miss Marsh was herself seized
by uncle Sam, who held her gently but
with an iron grip while he gave her
more kisses than l had presence of
mind to count. When at length he de-
sisted, he pointed Mt me. saying.
"There, Connie. my pet: have
brought you home the husband prom
ised you. What do you think of him?
Looks innocent, don't he, Con-? Then,
turning to his wife, Suffolk boys
,V,n H.. l. n. 4