Year: 1877

Inc romance of an overland trir
/ from New York to San Francisco, OF
rtce rersa, is never so well appreciated
as when the traveller is accompanied by
a female companion into whose ear he
can pour his opinions of the scenery
and air his knowledge Of the geography
OF the continent. So thought an old
Ban Franciscan, when he started ten
days ago from New York, where be
had been visiting the scenes OF q pleas
ant boyhood We shall call him Mr..
Antony as his adventure had to do
with modern Cleopatra. Antony had
good time in New York. and turned
his face homeward to the Western shores
with the comforting assurance that int O
his SIX weeks visit be had crammed all
the enjoyment tn 1t could possibly be fit
ted into that period. He had q we'll
filled lunch basket with him. half a
dozen bottles OF dry champagne and a
supply Of strong liquor But he had
no one whom he knew on board To help
him pass the time by little game of
poker or share in friendly drink.


So time hung heavy on his hands
until the train reach Chicago-false,
tleeting Chicago; where the stranger is
ever taken in and done for, and where
the divorce documents are put down to
the lowest possible figure. At this
lively place a lady with clustering
brown hair. neat figure and we'll shaped
ankles stepped into the train. aud as
Antony's compartment was the only one
not full. she timidly took seat oppo-
site the gallant Californian. He saw
Ter and fell. He was gone. captured,
done for, i'll love, smitten desperately
aud irretrievsbly. His heart thumped
under his embroidered waistcoat when
she drew eff her glove and showed no
marriage ring. She was single Good.


She opened her satchel, took out q
magazine and was about to read, when
it fell. Antony picked it up. their eyes
met, she blushed and the acquaintance
commenced,


Hem" said Antony, "fine weather
for travelling, miss


Beautiful weather." replied the fair
one in the sOftest accents. And then
they talked of Chicago aud the fire,
and how the city had grown; and he
naturally turn>d the conversation and
told her of the days Of 40" Tears of
honest pride welled up to his eyes,
when he told her the water used to come
up to Montgomery street and of the
Palace Hotel and the Golden Gate Park
and all the advantages of the Golden
State.


At lunch time he opened tottle of
champagne and offered her just little,
which she accepted gracefully. Once
when passing her glass their hands
met. She blushed again and felt a
thrill all over. and chuckled at the
stroke of fortune that haG given him so
truly delightful travelling companion.
And SO this pleasant acquaintance wore
on. and as the cars drew near Sacra-
mento, Antony mourned that the trip
was SO nearly over. At Sacramento
several gentlemen and ladies entered
the car. Antony knew them all aud
rushed up to speak to them. One of
the ladies stared at the lady who sat in
Antony's compartment. frowned slight
ly, who busted himself in procuring
seats for his friends at the other end OF
the car. Then Antony returned to his
place and conversed snimatedly with
his travelling companion, not q little
vain of the acquisition Of so beautiful
female. They arrived in San Fran
cisco, and Antony parted with bis
friend. For days after wards he was
haunted by her presence. On last
Saturday he rambled disconsolately into
a matinee. Happiness; he saw her
seated on one Of the rear chairs.
Hastily tipping an usher. he was coon
at her side and greeted her affection
atelv. There were numbers whom he
| knew in the theatre, and to all whose
eyes he caught between the acts he
smiled and bowed. But he noticed that
some looked curiously at him, and one
dignitAry. who .at in private box with
his family actually stared in an uncon-
scious and frigid way at Antony.


He was happy; but still wished to
demand an explanation from his friend
of this singular conduct After the
play Inc walked up and down Kearney
aud Montgomery streets with his fair
companion, and at last parted reluc-
family with her. On his way to his
hotel he met q friend.


Good heavens" said the gentleman
Antony, are you taking leave Of your
senses Z"


Sitting in a prominent place with
that woman, and then promenading the
streets before all your friends


woman are you crszyg One ol
the incest ladies ever met in my life,
She came aboard at Chicago"


"And she's'-well, he opened poor
Antony's eyes. for she whom he had
considered the pink of modesty and
decorum was we'll known as a leading
member Of the frail sisterhood. Mr.
Antony has not smiled since and hi!