Year: 1867

It was sulsry day in June; so much so,
that everything was suffering with the
close, warm atmosphere, and which even
seemed to penetrate through the deep,
thick shade which somo had sought in
hopes Of finding some comfort and peace.
But even there, they were not slighted,
for the cunning little musquito hunted
them out, aud vexed them more than ever,
by darting first from one ear to the other;
then Of course when you raised your hand
slowly, but surely as you supposed, TO
catch him, he is off again waiting until
you are in a nice doze; then the number
Is doubled and trcbled, and ut you they
come, making you leave rather sooner
than you expected, they Of course having
Won the victory. Such was the day upon
which was to start out and to be par
ticipant in the following story.


then lived with my father and moth
or aud two brothers on pleasant little
farm Of soventy.fvo acres, situated six
miles from the little town OF K,
through which ran tho o. & b. r. r.,
thus making Il what might be called quito
handy to the depot. The latter part Of
tho day was spent in packing up my duds
preparatory to leaving. for | was 10 be
taken the next morning early 10 tho littlo
station 10 20 on the morning train. So
stsupper time, between my father and two
brothers aud myself was discussed (for
che fnh tme, | believe,) as to whi,h
br,nch Of tho road would be best 10 take.
the chance Of cars, accommodations, &C.,
while mother could not think Of anything
else hut the danger to which | would be
exposed on tho cars, would tako sip of
tea now and then, now sit In a medi.atiye
mood trying her best 10 think where
she had seen the account Of that dreadful
collision on the railroad, that shc might
relate ID, thereby to put me more on my
guard than usual.


Thus passed so quickly 10 me the cyen.
ing previous to my visit was lying on
my bed In halfsceping, half.wakened
irevcrie. trying to penetrate into the far
'oh future, and to try thereby TO see what
was in store for me. My window was
hoisted TO its full extent, and over me
stole tho solt breozes Of the evening, bear.
ing the rich perfumes Of the sweet honey
lsuckle that twincd round about my win.
dow. with which was mingled the scent OF
the sweet briar aud other fragrant plants.
Amidst oil this did | wander far off into
dream land, iancying myself in an Eden
fair, holding sweet intercourse with bright
farics from spirit land. was aroused
from my pleasant, dreamy reflections, and
my ihoushis thrown into very different
channel from the one had been pursu-
an he III Al.
times, ia no pleasant way; and before |
could fairly get awake, was informed that
IL was time for no to have been up an
hour ago A hurried breakfast over, and
4 was seated in the wagon beside my broth
er ready to start. After shaking hands
for the twentieth time, aud good byes ex.
changed, we started on our way TO the de-
pot, mother standing at the gate holding
far above her head the lantern, as If she
thereby thought she could light US through
on our short journey. The last and only
thing she could Think of-"Will, don't
get in tho way of the carsl"


We rode along in silence for most Of
the way, only now and then calling each
others attention TO lights which VIC would
catch glimpse Of once in while In the
houses, until as VIC neared tho station they
grew moro frequent. Scarcely had we
reached tho outskirts Of tho liilc village
when VIC heard tho distant rumblng of
the approaching train, aud soon she blow.
ed her whistle for tho station. So We
hurried up, and drove up along sdc the
depo, just as tho train stopped. No time
was TO be lost; 50, seeing that my trunk
was safe In tho "cabooso," bid my broth.
or goodbye, aud with valise In hand
stepped on board just as the train moved
of. When | entered tho car was not
moro than half full This was glad Of,
for | had scat TO myself. raised a
window opposite mo, aud amused myself
by watching tho sparks from tho engine
as they fitted by mo. But my mind was
not long INDUCED In this; for at every
station passengers poured In. More, how.
ever, seemed inclined TO drop cut; but 10
me all seemed TO be going tho whole length
of the road, for pleasure trip. II nothing
clsc.


1 soon had a sharer Of my comfortable
scat, for he dropped In at the second sta.
tlon. lie was portly man Of the ordi'
nary hight, we'll dressed, and apparently
about forty y-hve or fifty years Of age. This
Individual, however, seemed to be anus.
ing himself very much by asking mo a
hundred'and.one questions as 10 where l
was going, and would no doubt like to
have known my business there, had the
question met my approval. But ! give
him to understand that he was getting
rather more inquisitiye than liked, by
answering as short as possible, at the same
time keeping my face turned from him.
His questioning. however, did not bother
me really as much as how | thought |
should be received at my uncle's, Mr.
Hampden, who lived in the great city OF
Baltimore, and to whom was to pay q
visit, now being on my road there for that
purpose. At this point, however, my
thoughts were relieved of this subject by
"Change cars here!'


All was hurry and hustle for a while
and we were seated once more Soon the
train moved of, aud we were gliding on
swiftly, the old gentleman seated with me
as before; but this timo he held in his
hand the daily paper, which he seemed to
bo deeply interested in, and no doubt an
swored in some respects the use to which
he had put me in the morning. 1t was
now O little after noon. In spite Of the
beautiful scenery that surrounded me. my
thoughts were occupied as before. My


- Il