Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 17, Number 35, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 19 February 1887 — Page 2

2

THE MAIL.

j* A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPER•

How can I tell her? By her cellar—

Clctuily shelves and whitened wall I can guess her ,By her dresser Bv the buck stairs and the hall.

And with pleasure Take her measure

Bv the way she keeps her brooms Or the peeping At the keeping Of her back and unseen room. By her kitchen's air of neatness, And it* general completeness, Where In cleanliness and sweetness The rose of odor blooms.

Joshuas Wife.

[Agnes Potter McGee In'the Current.] "I'm clean discouraged with Joshua's wife. Here, after two years of farm life, she ain't got over her citj^ notions yet, and as ter any us# she is around the housework Josh might jest as well a married a kitten," and Mrs. Johnson gave her knitting needles a vicious snap as she glanced over toward her husband, 1.^1, .^ man, who sat on le fireplace, with

a

meelT,"kindly-looking

balance his

man, who sat on

the opposite side of the fireplace, with an elbow on eacii knee, ana trying to

till ciuun \Ji w»vm

jack-knil'eacrossa

pine stick

he had smoothly whittled. "I was jest sot on her nannn the baby HamanUin Anne, an' if she ain gone and called it Pearl.

A

mighty poor re­

turn fur all the extra expense her sickness an me a loosin my sleep, and ^hat with the work, and the worry about that pesky mortgage, I'm een a most dun out. There's goin to be a njw leaf turned over when she gets well, I kin tell you that! She's got ter take her share work. ".Jerusha, I think you're kind hard on the poor little thing, just look at the way she's brightened thing up around the house sence she cum. Who ever thought makin them fir pillers, that you've said time an agin was the soothin'est thiufes ter take a nap on? And the purty words she worked on the kivers, about the inurmurin pines, and rest to the weary, jest as plain as Pr

nti

and more takin to the eye. And jest thiuk the iixons she made out en the commonest things. The ijee uv her a paintin a pictor on that old grain scoop mine, an a-glldcn the handle, and tyen a hull bunch ribbon onto it, and standin it up agin the chimbly in the parlor. Then you know what a purty nan gin lamp she rigged up outen that old-fash-ioned lantern, and took that old spinnin wheel your mother's outen the attic, and porked it all up with gilt and ribbons until you'd never know it and jest look at tho sewin and patchin she's done! You haven't hired a bit done sence she cum, and your dresses never did fit nohow till sho made em. I tell you, Jorusha," (and Mr. J. unconsciously raised his voice, and in his excitement actually threw the carefully polished stick into the firo), "I toll you she's a smart gal, an .Joshua has dun well ter git her." "There you go, David, jest the same as ver alius do when 1 mention Josh's wife,' 'and Mrs. Johnson's needles flew faster and faster, and a kitten that had preMUmod upon takiug liberties with her ball of yarn, was s«nt flying half way across tho room, by a push from the indignant old lady foot: ""I heres no use in me a-talkin to you, I see that.

You're as completely soaped over by her, as Josh is himsolf. The Ijoe of you astandin up for a crlter with frills onto her kitchen apron, and who can't make a l*af bijead ter save her life! I say 'fche'fc turned both yee heads, hut*she can't turn mine." With this parting thrust, Mrs. J. folded up her knitting, put hor glasses with ft click Into their case, and loft the room, closing the door •with a bang behind her. Hor husband

Hut along while thoughtfully gazing at tho hugo logs that lazily burned upon tho irons in the old-fashioned fireplace, their light falling upon the quaint and cozy appointments of the room, bringing nidi detail out Into cheery distinctness. There was a "hit and miss" rag carpet on the lloor, with a profusion of homemade rugs here and thoro a square table in tho center, with a pretty cretonne spread, ami two or thro© good books, a late magazine, and some newspapers scattered over it. Musllncurtains at tho windows, looped and trimmed with hand -made lace, a tempting looking loiingo (upon wliieh the "fir pillers tvero pi leu), old-fashioned easy chairs with odd tidies and hoad rests, and pretty trilles everywhere that spokoof a dainty feminine taste, as well as deft fingers.

David Johnson, sitting there, reviewed his married lite. In youth he had considered himself fortunate in walking otr with the prize of tho village, Jerusha Snow, a bnxum, blue-eyed girl, and a "prim# worker" as many a mother of aspiring swains had averred. Tho gossips shook their heads at the time of the wedding, and whispered among themselves, that Jerusha might have done better not that there was anything radicully wrong with David Johnson he was "industrious enough, but somohow a mightv poor mauuger." As the years went by, and tho farm was paid for, those same wiseacres solemnly shook their heads, saving that "Jerusha was the two that tnatlo the honey," and predicted that the little curly-headed Joshua uinuu turn mv ««mv would grow up exactly like his father, "sort shiftless." tn spite of all this shaking of heads, and sly gossip, thing? at the Johnson homestead went on in a peacefully manner. David taking great delight in his stnrdv, romping lad, and farming a sort of a desultory manner, while Jerusha 8 butter commanded the highest price in the markot, and her eggs were always the freshest and host to be had any whore. Close economy and hard work had nlaced their inevitable seal upon her and long before Joshua had grown into a tall, awkward vouth she had narrowed down to a few little, fixed ideas, among which was an abject horror of idleness, and a settled conviction that a woman must be up earlv and late attending to her household. Fashions had no charms for her, and were all, as she tersely put it, "inventions of saUn.' Tho grief of her life at this time, was Joshua love of books, to th* neglect «f the farm work she carefully laid out for him: and the knowledge that her only child was growing up with a distaste for labor, was gaU and wormwood to her active spirit. "You'll never amount to anything through the hull course uv yor life, unless you burn np them pesky books," ahe was in the habit of saying, and as each remonstrance proved unavailing, her tongue grew more acrimonious, especially when he found that the lad's father openlv encouraged him in his "duless ways." Joshua was bright, and soon went as far us the village schools could send him on the road to knowledge, and then the great desire of his life setxed him—to go to college. This was his subject of home conversation by day and his dreams at night. Money was a scarce commodity, In the Johnson household, and in order to raieo the amount to defray his educational expense*, the farm had to be mo

It took time and much diplomacy to induce Mrs. J. to sign the paper, but finally that feat was accomplished, the money in hand, and Joshua with his meager outfit (among which was many a jar of home-made "goodies") packed in an old-fashioned trunk, was on his way to the long coveted goal. In due time Joshua graduated, meantime falling in love with a pretty little milliner, all alone in the world^and employed in huge establishment near the "seat of learning" Jofehua attended. His courtship was pushed with such energy that marriage soon followed, and the letter telling iiis home coming, and tbat he would bring a wife, actually took good Mrs. Johnson's breath away, and after staring at the unoffending sheet, she asked David to hand her the "camp-fire" bottle, in such a far away voice, as to scare the worthy personage half out of his wits. This all happened two years before, and at the home-coming the trembling wife had received but scant welcome from Mrs. Johnson, but Joshua's father had opened his heart to the shy little creature at once. Since her advent there had been such a metamorphosis in the old form house as to render it well nigh unrecognizable. Climbing roses and honey-suckles had been carefully trained over the porch the front yard cleared of briars and filled with well kept shrubs and flower beds. Pretty, inexpensive trifles began making their appearance through the house, until the severe angularity of its furnishing gradually disappeared and even practical Mrs. Johnson secretly admitted that the chance was an improvement. However, nothing could induce her to change the lady's efforts failed "to pierce the icy reserve of her mother-in-law's heart. "If Joshua hadn't a-saddled himself with sech a triflii* wife, he might uv amounted to sumthin," she was fond of confiding to David, and that good old soul always had a kind word for his "leetle darter" as he called her, never failing to arouse his wife's wrath in consequence. The mortgage still hung like a clamaskin over their heads. Joshua had 3hown, as yet, no brilliant results from his education. The previous season's crops had been an entire failure, ijnd beyond Joshua's and his mother's scanty savings, there was nothing to meet the mortgage fast coming due. The proceeds of two terms as teacher in the village, and the commissions on the sale of some fruit trees comprised his share, while the butter and egg money was his mother's portion but these amounts combined, fell far short of the sum needed, and liow to raise the balance was the perplexing problem that knitted David's brows as he still sat in the fire-light. With a solution no nearer than before, he arouse, carefully wound tho "Cuckoo" clock, and started upstairs pausing at a door partly a^ar, he softly pushed it open to discover his wife tucking the baby carefully in its crib, and to catch a bright smile and quick glance of understanding from the depths of the invalid*s pillows, that sent a merry twinkle Into his eyes: "Jerusha's heart Is all right after all," he said, softly, as he went to his room.

Several montlis have passed, and the time of the dreaded foreclosure is fast approaching, in fact, is but a few days away. It is evening again, and Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the soul occupants of the sitting-room. They have gone over and over every detail of tho attempts made as to a settlement, but no gleam of comfort can be found on the gloomy horizon. "What's to become of us, the good Lord only knows," Mrs. J. is saying. "It's hard to be turned out uv doors in our old age, after slavln all our lives," aud she covered her face with her apron and began to sob. The sight was such an unusual one, that her husband sat fully a minutfc utterly dumb-foUnded, and then began in an awkward manner to console her. Before he had made much progress, the door opened, and with much stamping of feet Joshua entered, lightly brushing the great fleecy snowflakes from his cap and coat, and bringing a gust of damp, wintry air with him into the room. Both parents turned towards him with expectant faces, which looked tho disappointment they felt when they read what was In his eyes, lie had gone early in the afterneon to the village to try to make somo arrangement with the stonv-hearted moneylendor, and his pale, drawn features were answer enough to their unspoken Inquiries failure was written plainly upon every lineament. Ho remained but a little while in the room, and then hurried to the one abovo.

Opening the door he stood in mute ad-v miration of the scene disclosed. His fragile little flower-faced wife was kneeling bv the baby's dainty bed, her fair hair streaming far over hor shoulders, and, while rocking the cradle slowly to und fro, was crooning a lullaby In a low, sweet voice. The light from the open fire fell over her figure, revealing its girlish outlines, and resting on her hair hair like a golden halo. Something very like a sob arose in his throat as he listened

Sleep, mv bairnle, take thy rest Pillowed"on thy mother's breast Fringed lids closed o'er blue eyes deep. O my child, the I-ortl Is good To crown me thus with motherhood

Sleep, my bonnle batrnle, sleep. Turning as she finished, she saw her husband standing with his whole soul in his eves she shook a warning finger plavfullv, and then came towards him, taking him bv the hand she led him to the cradle, and together they stood looking down at tho sleeping innocent. They stood there in silence a few minutes, and then the question came that ho dreaded so to answer. "Had he made any arrangements in regard to the mortgage?" and the wretched truth had to bo told. The next question caused him a guilty start, and he began fuuibiing in his pockets for the letter that had caused him no little curiositv when it had been handed to him at the* postofflee that afternoon. It was addressed to his wife, and postmarked New York City. At last it was found, and with a glad little cry his wife perused its contents, a slip of paper falling to the floor meanwhile, which, upon picking up, Joshua was astonished to to be a check for $500. Bewildered he took the letter his wife reached him, and was still more so to readitscontents "Mas. JOSHCA JOHNSON*. "DKAK MADAM: Please find enclosed a

chock,

the rtrst Installment .on your novel. Allow u.t to congratulate you upoh your success. and to thank yrni for selecting us as the of placing this excellent story before the public. Plcasv sign accompanying receipt and return to us. „v "Your

our novel, why I do not understand! When Aid you write it?" And then Joshua's blushing, happy wife told him how, when he was away at the school all day, she had written industriously "just the facts In my own poor little life aa a foundation, dear," and had sent thecom-

tore,

leted

story to a publisher months behoping that it would bring enough money to reduce the mortgage, and as the weeks rolled by and she heard nothing from the manuscript, she had come to iha conclusion it was lost and had given up all her pleasant dreams in regard to it. "I wanted to hurprlse you all and, Jo, dear, how happy I am!" was her conclusion. It was but the work of a moment to endorse the check, and

geen

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EYENIN G- A TL.

then almost flying downstairs, she hurried to the room where the disconsolate old couple still sat, and Joshua reached there in time to see his mother open her arms and clasp his wife to her heart, while tears of joy streamed down her face. It was left to him to explain, and

reat was the rejoicing where all had such dispairing gloom. "Didn't I tell ye, Jerusha, that Joshua's wife was a smart gal," the father said, while he blew his nose vigorously with a huge bandana handkerchief, hoping thereby to conceal a suipicious moisture in his eyes.

Early the next morning old Roan was hitched to the buggy, and Joshua and his father drove to town. The. check was changed into five crisp one-hundred-dollar bills, and the greedy holder of the mortgage was astonished to receive his pay in full. While they were gone odors of a feast in preparation for their return floated from the kitchen, sufficient in its spicy fragrance to have tempted an anchorite. Joshua's wife in a pretty rick-rack trimmed apron that completely enveloped her, and was extremely becoming, stoned raisins and beat eggs, while her mother-in-law actually hummed an old-fashioned hymn tune (in a somewhat cracked voice it must be admitted, but with a true ring of joy in it) as she carried the golden pumpkin pies to and from the oven.

This all happened years ago. Joshua is now a professor in the college where be was a student, and his wife is a-bril-liant writer, and has made for herself an enviable reputation. She is the mistress of an artistic little home, the center of a cultured circle, and greatest honor of all, the mother of several healthy, happy boys and girls among which are a "David" ana a "Jerusha softened into "Jet.'

The farmhouse lias been enlarged and improved, and modern machinery has done wonders in developing the producing qualities of the farm.

Joshua and his wife spend all their summers at the farm. Mrs. Johnson is a changed woman, and speaks of her son's wife with pride and love shining in her faded old eyes. "I alius stuck to it Josh had dun well, you knew I did, Jerusha," Farmer Johnson is fond of saying to his wife, as she sits winter evenings by the fire knitting fleecy stockings for her grandchildren, and a wonderful smile will light up her features as she replies: "God bless Joshua's wife."'

Caught in His Own

•."*

Snare.

,*¥ 7K

'«5

[Jessie Oliver Smith in Brooklyn Magazine.] Residing for a season at the horfte of a friend, it was the writer's good fortune to be confidence of various members of the family group. The following story told to me at that time is a true one, which I ^.t, liberty to give to the

I was but a stripling about the age of fourteen, said the narrator, when I was sent to the Far West to regain health and strength by change of climite. I was sent to the home of an uncle who had made a fortune iu one of the mining regions of Colowil.. As years passe* health retyv£*M and though mining be iste—my proclivities be)ve ground—I permitted ing instinct to obtain », the result of whioh was lyself, during life's first •tunate possessor of more

was iu the possessio that I foun quarter, th capital than many have in their last.

My good uncle, as time passed on, desired me to cast in mv lot with him, promised to make me his heir but the East, where hived my motheratjd sister, had more bf an attraction forfneTRan his prospective millions (besides, I was tolerably sure of them, any way.) I had but little doubt that my mother, his only sister, who lived in a small cottage near the outskirts of Albany, would prevail upon him to forsake his lonely life, and that eventually he might make one of the home group, who would love him just as much without his nuggets as with them and it was a fact that twenty years of mining life had not dried up the channels of natural affection within him, nor turned them aside from legitimate objects.

It was, perhaps, owing to his rich nature, as well as his frank companionship, that I had held aloof from the rougher forms of camp life and had retained my veneration for the Bible and for woman: that I had not felt like sitting in judgement upon the Supreme Being for His methods of government, nor as yet attempted to reason Him out of existence.

Speeding along toward her home. I could not hut feel a sense of exultation in my superb physical development and also my mental peace, for it is only when the soul is in harmany with its Creator that this ni'rrana can be attained.

Doubt is a Medusa's head that interposes its serpent eyes constantly between us and happiness. How would my mother and Mary welcome the wanderer! Mary was but a little girl when I went away. Now she was a woman grown, she should have a taste of life's pleasures, and my mother, dear soul, had done her last stroke of hard work.

The journey proved a most uneventful one until within a few hundred miles from home. From a city in Western Now York (which shall be nameless) to mv destination, Albany, the fates made up for their delay by weaving about me such a network of romance, that its toils have held me ever since. I owe it all to a broken car-wheel. This annoying accident delayed us considerably, as our train had to rest on aside track for the lightning express then we were removed from the disabled car and crowded together in the other three, uutil changes conld be made.

The change brought me standing near a seat which a young lady occupied alone, but my natural timidity hindered me from soliciting a portion of it, until I observed that she gave a peculiarly feminine but graceful invitation for me to be seated, by gathering together the loose folds of her dress, without, however, so much as a glance in my direction. I accepted the invitation so modestly given, and thanked her, but did not

Eor,

Obedient Servants, "BLANK & BLANK, Publishers.*"

resume upon courtesy by addressing though not a motion of head or hana or shoulder escaped me, for she was singularly attractive. I could pursue my studv in the mirror ahead of ns, for I dam! not be obtrusive enough to turn and face her. Once or twice she glanced into the mirror also, but then, of course, my glance was toward the| other passengers or out at the darkening landscape. I should be careful not to make her regret he courtesy.

As

the shadows deepened, her silence became a little embarrassing. We had passed safelv through what might have been a terrible accident. She might not, at least, recognise that we had escaped from a common peril? But It was plainly not mv place t* speak first. "This plan presented itself to me. I would step Into a smoking car for a short time. Other cars bad now been attached there was an abundance of room, and I bad really no excuse for crowding her. I might find her travelling-bag or her shawl in the place I had left when I came back, and I could take a hint* If

she desired to free herself from intrusion, here would be her opportunity. Apparently a night's ride was before us without the convenience of sleepers, for the car was one which usually went through in the day-time. It cost me a good deal of self-denial to make this strategic move, but it might break the silence, at all events, if the seat should be vacant on my return. With chagrin I found that my plan had worked against me. An elderly man with flowing white hair had my place.

I found a place directly behind them. She had been on the lookout for me, for she then said, turning tp me with much

"If I had not thought you had left the car, I should have tried to keep your seat for you.

Could he sit still after that, I had serious thoughts of ejecting the old man, or asking him to change places and I mentally decried him for a deaf mute, that he did not at once see that we were acquaintances, and allow me the place at her side. But he was marble.

I however followed up my advantage by offering her a paper, and then feasting my eyes upon her profile for the next fifty miles.

The aged man asked ber if he might look at the paper, after she had folded it up, as she was just about to hand it back over the seat. She questioned me with her eyes before she gave it, and I answered by a nod. It seemed a tacit recognition of my proprietorship in the sheet, and her desire to consult me. I liked her ways.

He began to make talk. Her answers were monosyllabic. "What do you think of this for a nice fur?" he asked, stroking a fur cap which I had not seen before.

She did not venture an opinion upon the fur. Yet his years and gray hair entitled him to civility. "There, draw your fingers through it. Wouldn't that make a nice muff, now?" "I presume so," she said, with a suppressed yawn. She had not touched the cap. "I brought that from Alaska with me. No such fur to be had in this region." He went on then and gave her a treatise upon Alaska, revealing the fact (or fior tion) that he had been a missionary there, after which she' seemed to fear him less, but still kept her own lips mostly sealed. It was a very one-sided conversation.

After a while she turned away, very much wearied, and glanced out of the window into the crispy starlight. "I am very tired," she said, at length, "and would like to lie down. There is so much room now, sir, wouid you mind letting me have the seat?"

He doubled up a travelling-sliawl, and threw it over his shoulder. "I am an old man,'* he said, blandly "you need not hesitate to lean upon my shoulder. See, th^s is a good pillow. You would be taken for my daughter."

Before the surprise in her eyes had

Eer

assed away or the crimson subsided in cheek, said to him, gruffly enough, "This lady is my friend you will find another seat, if you please." "I am so much obliged to ybu, she said, turning back to me, with a convulsive quiver on the lip. "Now, if you will allow me," I said, rolling my ulster into as soft a ball as possible, and laying it at the end of her seat, "just spread your handkerchief over this rough material, and you have a good improvised pillow." "You are very kind, but I fear you will need the ulster." "Not in the least. Now you need fear nothing, for that old"—I was about to characterize him roUghly—"has gone into another car, and I shall remain in the seat right back of you." "Do you go all the way to New York? she asked. "". "Albany was my destination.'^

"I must

A

change cars thero." I knew

the poor girl was unconsciously yielding herself to my protection. I wondered if she had observed the change of tense, for I had resolved to go all the way to New York, rather than suffer her to be exposed to Insults. I was fully con vinced that hor whilom companion was a wolf in sheep's clothing. His white hair was a white wig.

She was too much agitated to sleep, though sho closed her eyes, as she leaned down on the coat, rough and shaggy as it was. Being tall, I could, without leaning forward, see the delicate contour of her cheek and her wavy brown hair as it fell over tho blue-veined temples. Sho was the picture of health, but had that delicate Northern skin that shows the pulse-beat in the temple veins. She was very quiot for a time, and I thought she slept, but soon I discovered that tears found their way beneath the closed lids. She rapidly brushed them away, and changed her position, to my sorrow, for after that I could not see her face. Feigning weari­

ness,

I leaned my head down upon the back of her seat, thus obtaining my former advantage, and was at last gratified by noting that sho slept, and that she looked pretty in her sleep. Heretofore I had not thought her beautiful, but sweet and

whole-somo-looking.

I had

not thought of her as a young maiden. The homage I had given her was on account of ner womanhood. Sho might

belong

to Smith or Jones she might be

Mrs. Pleiffor or Plumbago but as I drank in her peace and repose and childlike, spiritual beauty (I will admit the fact), I fell in love with her there and then, and said to myself that the world held but one such individual, and that I would be willing to go on to New York, or from there to the ends of the earth, if she would permit me. Sleep? I did close my eyes. We were steaming along at much too quick a rate. We were drawing too near the terminus. She started up affrighted that sleep had overtaken her, but seeing that I stood guard, she closed her eyes again, with a genuine expression of content. She seemed to know'that close beside her was one who had constituted himself a "vigilance committee" for her protection.

In a wakeful but half-dreamy state I still kept my vigil, thinking such thoughts as these: She trusts me, and glad am I that my life has nothing to hide irom any pure woman's eye. I would protect her through any danger. As all God's children are provided against sudden attack, each by his own special weapons of defence, so He wills that His human creatures, helpless like this one, shall have bulwarks of safety in human friends and the spirit of Danger is disarmed by the more powerful spirit of Love, or an interest akin to love, as in my case, awakened suddenly for her protection. In other countries such a voung lady would have a chaperon. In ours she is just as safe without one. She is protected in most cMes by her own purity. I now observed what before had not fallen under my notiee, the flash of a diamond pin at her neck. Perhaps the old man desired to possess himself of this ornament when he offered her so convenient a reating-place. I glanced about the car, but saw him nowhere. He must have gone at the last station. Stepping to the door a moment to rouse myself by a sniff of the bracing air, and see if any part of the surrounding country had the familiar look of the olden days, and feeling, moreover, quite secure about my charge, in the belief that the old man had taken his departure, I was not a lltUe surprised to hear, on opening the door to return, a frighten­

ed shriek, which brought almost the whole car-load of sleepy people simultaneously to their feet.

The young lady had sprung to her feet, and was standing on the seat where I had left her sleeping.

I swept through the crowd, striking right and left at whatever came in my way, and there, crouching down in the seat, I saw the veritable white head. "I am looking for that fur cap is it here—" but before he could finish the sentence I had one hand on his coat-col-lar, the other in his hair, and brought him up by such a sudden jerk that he was well-nigh throtted. But as he held on for dear life to his head, I could not expose the fraud there and then to my satisfaction.

The conductor now appeared, much to my relief, for I had observed that this apparent old missionary tried to get his hand down to his side pocket, which no doubt held pistols, one or more, ready for use. Observing this action, I slid both my hands swiftly down his arms, and held them there as in a vice, while the conductor addressed him. But while apparently quiet in my hands, he would have thrown me backward thrust both with foot and hand, which showed him to have been more conversant with the ethics of the racecourse aud the ring than with the mission work wrhich ho professed. I held him in this persuasive way while the conductor made a pretence of listening to his story. Then ne was induced to pass into another car, for the purpose of further disclosures to this amiable worthy, who was an adept in dealing with "cranks" of all kinds: and we were left alene. I at once took my place beside her. She still trembled.

At last she asked timidly, "Do you think he is insane?" "No, he is a villain. How did he come to take your seat?" "Indeed, I cannot tell he askod no permission, but I did not like to say he could not have it, because ho looked so feeble. I think he had lost that fur cap of his, and he seemed to think I had it concealed." "More likely he coveted that diamond broach." "Oh, I forgot!" sho exclaimed, suddenly putting her hand to her neck "I meant to have changed it for another, but came away this afternoon without remembering. Shall I take it off now, and conceal it?"

I could have smiled at her artlessness, but refrained. "By no means you are safe now." "But you only go to Albany, and we are almost there. Iam in terror lest I pliould meet him again.'' "1 have business that will call me to New York to-morrow. I might as well go on to-night, and save tim( "Oh, I thank you!"

A

Her thanks were so fevent, that I did not regret my deception. "We will be in Albany now in fifteen minutes if you prefer the seat to yourself I can find another, but I shall bo on hand when we arrive." "Please stay."

She said no more then until the station was reached, and taking my cue from her, 1 remained silent also.

She should see that her trust in me would not bo made the excuse for a foolish garrulity. I drew my overcoat on gently. It had a caressing warmth about it. That delicate cheek had rested upon it. She glanced up at my tall length with such a sweet loek or confidence, that I could control a smile. There was an old-acquaintance sort of feeling gaining place between us.

Arriving at Albany, she quite naturally took my hand as I helped her out of the car, and I quite as naturally placed that gloved hand on my arm, as we passed through the half darkness and the jostling crowd.

We had an hour to wait, and 1 could have thanked old Father Time who had hidden his wings. We could not be unsociable here, however we might have been under the restraint of tho car.

I despatched a messengor for a tray of ediblos, inwardly thanking those masters of the public who recognize at all hours our human needs. In a few moments we were conversing over cups of coffee and biscuits, and sho was passing hor judgment upon the niorits of a delicate cake called "angols' food." She told me its name, for how could I, fresh from the backwoods, know about thoso things! But she laughed in a hearty, musical way, when I told hor that I was glad to find that the waiter had so much discernment as to recognize her proper 'ood*thinkour "I missionary has disappeared," sho said. "He does not seem to be among this waiting company."

Just as she spoke we hoard tho clatter of a sharp iieol on the stone floor. Both of us looked involuntarily in the direction of the sound, when behold! old white-head, with a police officer at his elbow. "Ah, the rogue has been captured! That is good," said I. But no, he walked up to us and stopped before us with the words, "This is the persou." "Madam, said tho officer, "I must ask vou to como with me.''

I sprang up and grasped tho officer in the clutch of a desperate man. Whitehead stood just beyond my reach. "What does this mean? You shall not arrest an innocent lady." "You are an accomplice, he said. "I am afraid I shall have to detain you both.'

At once it flashed over me that our "missionary" had made capital out of his grav hairs.

I sprang upon him like a tiger and ripped eff" the gray wig, casting it down

ana

stepping on it next came the fa se beard, without mercy and he vainly struggled in my grasp, a transformed man. The transformation at once disclosed to the police officer a face that he thought he had seen before. A signal was given, and several other members of police were summoned, and surrounded

hiAs

he was marched away, fighting to free himself, the first officer returned to us, making some attempt at an apology. "We are sometimes liable to mistakes, but we do the best we can. You have done us a great service, but the law will detain you both as witnesses. I am sorry, but I have no choice but to bid you remain a few hours at least. We will trv and make it

as

Ci"Right.

comfortable as possi­

ble. The Delevan is close at hand. You will find comfortable quarters there until you are call upon. I have strong suspicions that this affair has turned out very differently from what tbat old fellow expected. He thought to divert suspicion from himself, no doubt, by a counter-march against you, and you were too quick for him* vVrhere did he board the car?" I told the name of the

Suspicion points still more

strongly. He is, I am almost sure, one of a gang of robbers who entered a house in that vicinity, gagged and tied the inmates, and left them to die but the people were fortunately rescued. The villains, until now, had escaped." "What was his complaint against us?" "That you or the lady had taken a valuable fur cap. He insisted tbat it was concealed in your travelling-bag, that he could bring forward proof."

My young lady, with a quick, involuntary motion, opened her hand-bag, and lo! there was the identical cap. She threw both bag and cap on the floor in disgust, and shrank from them as if

they had been polluted. "I shall never touch the bag again," she said. "You have been made the victim of some deep-laid design," said the officer, "but he has been caught in his own snare. You shall be called upon just as early as possible. I regret the circumstances exceedingly," ne continued, as I furnished him with my name and the young lady also gave him hers. "In the interest of justice," he said, at parting. "I would wait a week to see the rogue committed," said I, turning to her questioningly. "We cannot do otherwise now," she replied "but I must telegraph home. They looked for me before dark, and here it is midnight."

I took her carefully-worded telegram, and despatched it. I only feared that it would bring some father or uncle to her rescue, when I desired to continue in my position of protector.

Her name, then was Laura Somervllle, and her home was New York City. She had sent the telegram to her father. She ovidently was not married, or sho would have sent to her husband. So far, so good.

We concluded to walk over to the f)elovan, but folt in no hurry about it. It was so near morning we would not rouse the porters any earlier than was necessary. Stepping to the door, I noticed that alight snow was falling. The stars were puling before the late dawn of a December morning. Returning, I proposed an early sleigh-ride. Almost to my surprise, sue consented. "Indeed," sho said, "I cannot have any hesitation when you have been so kind.'

I had an idea, and it was this: the sleigh-ride should bo in the direction of my mother's residence. On the way I would tell Miss Somerville of my long absence. If she proved willing, wo would go there, and thus she would not only come to know my people, but she might be made more comfortable during her detention. I soon had the sloigh and robes in readiness, having left my address where the Chief might find it, if wo were needed.

Rapidly tho sleigh flow over the ground. Wo mot tho milkmen with their laden cows and tho market sleighs in their early journeys.

Wo felt unusually merry for travellers who had been up all night, and who had been exposed to dangers seen and unseen. I told her then about my wanderings, as I had intended, and mado my appeal. "By all means," sho said, with glad emphasis. "I would not be willing to keep you a moment longer from them."

Both mother and Mary were on the lookout for nio, for the second train was overdue, and tlioy had been feeling atixous. Both came down the steps, in their hurry to greet me. "Is this your wife, Marshall? Why dffl you not tell us?' My mother was helping her out, and kissod her with fond welcome before I had time to explain.

A bright blush suffused hor cheek and brow. Probably, man as I was, the blush was reflected in my own face, for this was a reception such as I had not thought of but I soon introduced her, and as I had no prudish maiden to deal with, it was soon laughed ovor as a good joke. A dainty breakfast was served, and wo explained fully then that we were prisoners of the law and during the meal it transpired that Miss Soinorville was the daughter of a New York lawyer. She could do no loss than obey Unclo Sam's command with becoming meekness and fortitude.

The result of all was that I did go with Miss Soinorvillo tho rest of the journoy, and I saw her father on a little matter of businoss of some moment to us two. He was kindly disposed toward mo, and referred mo to tho young lady herself.

Old white-liead was'proven to be the man the law was in search of, and ho was aenteneed to Stages prison for along term of years. What his object was in such treatment of such a young lady could never guess, unless, as the officer hinted, to divert suspicion but Laura and I cin forgivo hini the part he played that, night, since not only was he caught in his own snare, but it was out of this cloud of danger that tbero flashed my life guiding star. Within tho year Laura Soinorvillo became my wif.'.

Thus ended my friend's true story, and Igivoittotho public as ho gave it to me.

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