The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-04-13
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! AN AGITATED
YOUNG MAN.
BY N. QUAD.

=
Young Mr.. Graham, the grandson OF
grandmother who had brought him
up in the way ne should so. took a
chair car from Philadelphia to New
York on certain date and found the
chair on his right occupied by a very
good looking and self composed young
lady. When she dropped her handker-
chief he ought to have picked It up
and restored 1t. but he didn't. When
she had trouble opening her hand bag
he ought to have proffered his services,
but he didn't. When her hatpin work.
ed out and fell ut his feet there was
opportunity for him to prove himself
q hero. but he wasn't up to 1t. His
grandmother had warned him over
and over again of the consequences Of
too much forwardness. He was agi-
tated. but 1t went no further. OF
course when the young lady realized
what sort Of young man he was she
gave him the cold shoulder. She ask
ed the porter TO raise the window for
her and to bring her glass of water
and II she would be sure to make con-
nection with the Long Island train for
Hampstead.
Young Mr.. Graham felt his position
keenly, but opportunity had fed.
Reaching New York. he would have
given worlds to warn the young lady
not to take the Twenty-third street fer
ry by mistake for the Thirty-fourth.
but he had his chance and lost. II was
while he was hanging back that be
discovered her purse where It had
dropped while she was picking up her
traps. He started to rush after her to
restore II. but in his agitation address
ed stately old dame who took him
for a confidence man and threatened
TO have him arrested. when he came
to overhaul the purse he found that II
contained $3.50 and a trunk key. He
reasoned 1t out that this was all the
loser had with her and that when
landing on the New York side she
would find herself In an embarrassing
situation How was she to cross the
Island? How pay her fare to Hemp
stead?
Here was more agitation. and II end
ed in the young man taking the next
ferryboat. He did not find her weep
ing In the ferryhouse on the other
side. He was also disappointed In not
finding her in the East river house.
He crossed the river to the Long
Island depot. but the object Of his
search was not there. II was bad
night Mr.. Graham put in. and It was
made longer and the worse for a
sudden thought that came to him
about midnight. The purse con-
timed less than s.. The young iady's
dress and jewelry showed that she
belonged TO wealthy family. To re-
store such a lean purse TO her would
humiliate her: It certainly would
She would probably refuse to claim
ownership and look upon him with
whitening scorn. After turning the
matter over In his mind for three
hours young Mr.. Graham saw his way
clear. He would add IS to the con-
tents Of the purse.
Hampstead Is not an overgrown
town. and a persevering young man
like Mr.. Graham can find lots OF
things II he becomes chummy with
the hackmen. IL wasn't two hours be
fore our hero had the name Of the
young girl and her abiding place. She
was living with her widower Of q
father less than mile away. II took
him two hours 10 quell bis agitation
and make up his mind TO drive to the
house. but at last the thing was done.
Il seemed as II luck was with him.
When the carriage stopped he beheld
the selfsame young lady sitting on
the veranda with book In her hand.
BEG pardon" he said. but was
your fellow traveller from Philadelphia
yesterday. and when you left the chair
car found this on the foor."
"But-but | don't understand" re.
piled the young lady as she received
the purse. Il didn't speak to you.
and how did you know where liyedT'
"why, while was not listening-be-
lieve me, was not-i heard you ask
the porter about the train for Hemp
stead.
"Yes. I believe did. I was dread.
fully afraid I'd miss It. Won't you
sit DOWN. This was only my change
purse, you know. missed II. but II
was Of no account. except that II held
the key TO my trunk. However. !
thank you. and EASE
And she opened the purse TO view
the contents. There was her dollar.
eighty. and a ave dollar bin besides.
She looked MP IN puzzled way and
said:
This can't be mine"
But | found II under your chair.
miss"
But how did this other money come
herei I'm sure hadn't t."
Mr.. Graham turned red. His tongue
refused to move. He saw the yawn.
ing pit and mopped his forehead, but
II was too late. The situation had be,
come full Of tscks when the young
lady's father appeared. He was q
stern faced old colonel.
sir. explain your gunner he said
after few words Of explanation from
the daughter.