Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1868 — Selected Miscellany. [ARTICLE]

Selected Miscellany.

A JEALOUS FATHER. A MaUruaA «wu»l«ru. ‘ Katonah," ahOUted the brakemaii, opening the car-door as the train passed before a splendid little station on the Harlem mil"r road. Ido not know M I should have particularly noticed that we stoppedW all, for I had been napping it for some miles; but just as I was casting an inquiring, sleepy look out of the window, and settling myself for soother siesta, mv attention was attracted by the entrance of a young lady, a way-passen-ger. who,, perceiving the car was well filled, paused before me in evident embarrassmeat * » —* I scarcely wish the reader to infer from this that there was no vacant seats: on the contrary, the chair I occupied was selfishly monopolized by my shawl and valise, which had excluded many an occupant, and so the moment I observed the car door open I mentally resolved not to budge an inch; bnt one glance at the new-comer changed my mind. She was a young lady of exceeding bounty, dressed in the rich and tar*? style fifths" present fashion. Whether.it was her genteel aspect or the soft melancholy of her dark impressive eyes I cannot say, bnt when she ventured, almost timidly, to inquire if the half seat at my side “was engaged." I gallantly arose and proffered it to her at once I must acknowledge I felt somewhat flattered by her preference, for though a young man. and tolerably good looking. I had the sense to perceive there were far .better looking men around, who, like me. might Yiave ■hared their chair with the handsome lady ■tranger I fancied they envied me too, as the fair girl sat plump down, and her dainty form nestled close to my side. “I fear I have disturbed you," said my «x*mjumton, ixi* low, sweet voice that thriil•d me with its soft cadence. “Not at all, Miss," I rejoined with stereotyped politeness. “lam too happy to ohjige y° u ” She bowed and smiled in reply, and a short pause ensued, as is usual upon such sudden acquaintanceship In the meantime the train has started, and we rattled swiftly in the lively tint of Spring. The conductor came in, and went through his customary routine of examining the tickets. I percieV*h! bore was morked far New York, and after some hesitation I said: “You go to the city ?” “Yes," she replied with a smile of winning ' candor; “that I presume you have alreadyfound out” “I shall keep you company, then.” I observed pleasantly. “Thank you.sir." _ “ There was a slight dignity, I thought, in her tone which repelled further familiarity; so, as I am a very modest man, I drew back ■nd said nothing further. On rushed the steam horse upon- its iron railway. One more station has been passed, and I was fast relapsing into my former apathy when my lady friend to my surprise, leaned toward me and whispered “I am very timid on the cars." “Indeed,” said I quite charmed with her abruptness. “You surely are well accustomed to travelling ?” “Perfectly'” she replied with some nonchalence; “but thatisnot it exactly. There are so wurny dreadful accidents-on the railwnyd -- - • “Dreadful indeed!” echoed I. ‘ 'And, ” added my companion with naivete, “It is unpleasant to travel unattended. I usually have my brother Charlie with me. He is a splendid escort." “If you will allow me,” said I quite gallantly, “I will gladly occupy that position.” “I am much obliged to you, sir.” replied the young lady, with a grateful glance from her dark orbs, “yet I am half frightened to ■ ttnnk IMn accepting ihe escofToTa StfiiKg-' er; not that I fear you, sir; but alas ! I have a jealous father.” “A jealous father !” I repeated, somewhat puzzled and surprised. “Ah yes,” sighed the young lady. “It is my misfortunes while having wealth, health and almost everything that the heart can wish, to be under the control of a tyrannical old step-father, who treats me oftimes in the most cruel manner, debars me from the society of our sex, shuts me up in the gloom of my chamber, and treats me with pitiless rigor if I do as much as to speak to or look at a man.” “What a monster!” I ejaculated with a face of melo-dramatic sympathy. “That is the reason, "she continued, looking around her half-feariully as she spoke, “that is the reason why I am so diffident about entrusting myself to your care, but I did it on one condition.” “Name it,” I rejoined, charmed and delighted with the strange confidence the young lady was reposing in me. “That you leave me the instant the ears reach New York.” I was an bewitched by the beauty and charming insouciance of my quondam friend that I readily gave the required pledge. Apparently quite-relieved the young lady threw aside all reverse, and talked and chatted with me in the most pleasant manner potmble. It is needless to say that in an hour's time I had so far advanced in her good graces as to venture to press her hand, and the sweet half coquettish smile that played around the corners of her cherry lifie did flbt seem to disapprove of the liberty I had taken. “Do you know,” said she, as we satchatting confidently together, “that I liked your face the first time I saw it” “It was sympathetic on both sides, then,” I whispered, drawing her so near that I could feel her hot breath fan my cheek. • “Yes,” she murtnered gently withdrawing herself from my glowing embrace, for we had passed through the tunnel, and I had taken a lover’s advantage and snatched a hasty kiss. i -‘You are a naughty man —the naughtiest man I ever saw,” she said in a low and tremulous time. "If pa should be on the train, what would he say of such proceedings.” "Never fear, sweet creature,” I rejoined ognwtiy, “your cross old father is miles | away, and let us improve the present opport unity*” “Are you aware,” she observed half mischeviously, “that there is another tunnel beyond, a great deal darker too, than, the one w» have left?” “I know it,”’ said I, with a tender glance at my fair enslaver "We are drawing near ttfewtot” Onoe more I placed my arm around the waist of the lady, and wrapped up in the doom of the tunnel, took sweet pledges £vm her lips. It was very gratifying to my vanity. AB -good-looking men -tire vain, you know. I perceived that my lovely mmpanfou clcmg more affectionately to me s before; indeed, I had scarcely time to tear uyeelf from her arms when we emertgflitßMS more into broad daylight. She ||ft r £her veil dreys** hgj&ce. but 11,

fine net-work of lace. Her voice betrayed much agitation mahe whispered: “I have gone too far with you, sir; alas I you have ceased to respect ms.” . . My sweet chariher, I replied, “Let us ! ever t>»* friends, (five me your nniu<- and addfiMm.” “My name audaddreiM," she responded, l ••you tAst never know, I already- feel frightened to think how far T WWT pertftffted mysidf to venture with a stranger. Forgive and forget me." “A flirt—a coquette I"“No, no.” she returned "hurriedly, tfressing my hand: “I am not a flirt, but I dare not—as much as I think of you -let the acquaintance proceed further. Have pity on me—have pity !" . She looked" so pleadingly, so entreatinglv, with those dark soft eyes gleaming through she silken meshes of her veil, that I could not persuade niynelf to be offended with her. At last sbe reluctantly consented to give her name, and handing me a prettily embossed card I read, “Kate Parrel. No. University Place.” The, taain had reached Thity-second street , and I could see that-my fair inamorata grew every moment more restless and disturbed. First her bead poured out of the window, and then she would half rise and cast hurried and fearful glen?!* liehind.

Already I was beginmugto share the uncomfortable feeling of my comi«inion as visions ot angry papa flourishing a cane over my head rose vindlv Wore my mind s eye, when suddenly Miss Darrel uttered an exclamation, rose from her seat and unceritnonfoualy darted from the car. I wondered at the ease and dexterity with which she descended, though the oar was propelled quite rapidly by horse power, but my wonder and surprise was destined to lw considerably increased when, a few minutes afterwards, a thick-set, sternlooking gentleman entered from the side, his eyes inquisitively scanning the face of each lady passenger. t-Halloo !' said he rather gruffly, pausing liefore me, “has a young lady beenoccupy- . ing thia aaat?" 1 “Yes, sir," I replied, somewhat disconcerted and quite abashed. “Light jockey, maroon-colored silk and gray travelling cloak ?" pursued he interrogatively. “I believe that was her costume,' I replied, sulkily. “By Gad! she’s given me the slip again!" cried’the gentleman, slapping his breeches pocket with much emphasis. “Given you the slip,” I repeated, a sudden and awful light breaking upon me. “Yes, the jade is as sharp as a noble.” “Pray, sir?’ said I, with a sligh sensation of suffocation, “may I be ho Wold as so inquire if vou are the father of that voting lady?” ' Father, the devil! No, sir, lam a dvtoetivet” “Then,.” said I with desperate calmness, “who is thia young lady ?' . .•» i." —■■yu “Bless my soul, she is Nancy Dacors, the fashionable pickpocket. By gad, sir, has she been playing her pointe on you?" The detective grinned, and the passengers, gradually comprehending the “situation,” smiled provokingly. I did not reply —the intolligeuco was stunning and mortifying in the highest degree. So my beautiful companion was nothing more than a member of-the “swell mob,” and I, while flattering myqelf upon having made a conquest. in reality had been the victim of a cunning and designing deceiver; and. well had she duped me. for even while I was snatching those dear-bought kisses she had dexterously relieved me of my watch and - puree, uud it "may bo readily believed that my adventure was not without its moral, or that I was thereafter quite as eager for a Rah-boad Flibtation.