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Search - Walt Whitman's Diary In Canada: With Extracts From Other Of His Diaries And Literary Note-Books

Walt Whitman's Diary In Canada With Extracts From Other Of His Diaries And Literary NoteBooks
Author: Walt Whitman

C H A P E R O N F all the millions who at one time or another have been compe ed to burden their memories with any of the initials and figures used in naming the streets of New York, Lydia Greenough is probably the only mortal who thoroughly approves of the system. Question any one else as to its wherefore, and he or she, with to be hoped, on th... more »e speakers sex, would explain that, in a year now fading from the recollection of even its oldest inhabitants, a stupid surveyor and a foolish board of aldermen fastened upon the city of New York a method of street-numbering of surpassing inconvenience, which, with other moans and curses, its residents and its transients have since been forced to endure. But Lydia maintains that the system is admirable, and if the opportunity to plead its merits were but granted her, . she would undoubtedly convince at least the masculine half of the metropolis that she is right, however wrong the system which is merely one way of saying that Lydia is young and It was by the veriest chance - indeed, veriest of chances - that the much ma ligned method gained this powerful advocate. Lydia, if now asked, would doubtless assert and believe that it was all preordained, and never could have been otherwise. Yet, as a matter of fact, if on that Christmas eve a wild snowstorm had not been driving and drifting through the misnumbered streets, it never would have been. Or, if Mrs. Traverss maid had not taken to her bed with a quinsy sore throat, it never would have happened. Or, if the little country girl had been more used to city ways, and had stood less in awe of the liveried servants, it could not have occurred. In short, but for half a dozen contingencies, Miss Greenough would have completed her visit with her city relatives, and returned. home to settle once more peacefully into the life of her native New England village, with never a thought or even a dream of the destiny that might have been, and with not one word of defense for the system which henceforth commanded her warmest advocacy. It must be acknowledged that Mrs. Traverss arrangements for that evening left a goodly chance for Dame Fortune to intervene, and she is a lady who seldom misses an opportunity, be it golden It S snowing and blowing worse than ever, she announced, - not Dame Fortune, but Mrs. Travers, - sticking her head into the room where Lydia was dressing, and it really seems to me I d etter telephone Mrs. Curtis that you Oh, . must you, aunty wailed Lydia, her mouth drawn with disap- Do you truly want to go out in such fearful weather, child marveled Mrs. Travers, giving a little shiver, though the room was warm. It S only a dinner, after all, and you l1 surely catch a frightful cold, or worse. Why, aunty, if I were home, Id probably be taking a sleigh-ride, or skating, eagerly asserted the girl, and I never catch cold. I dont believe I even can. Oh, please. please let me go Well, if you really would rather, it S worse than to fail a hostess, presume shell have a lot of , gaps, anyway, in such a storm. Mrs. Travers walked to the window, and pulling aside the thick curtain and the shade, looked out. It S such a horrid night, and the snow S getting so deep, that I think I 11 telephone Mrs. Curtis, after all, and - 9, Oh, aunty once more wailed her, asking if you may not spend the night. That will be much better for you, and it will save the horses from being kept waiting. 1 hate to have them out such a night, and if Winwood only had the common decency to keep well, Id have had a carriage from the livery-stable, rather than expose - That will do just as well, aunty, really it will, interjected Lydia. My dear I Do you think Id trust you with any one but our own coachman, since I cant send my maid with you I dont see why not. Gracious my dear, how inexperienced you are sighed her a n t ...

ISBN-13: 9781408651247
ISBN-10: 1408651246
Publication Date: 2/29/2008
Pages: 80
Rating:

0 stars, based on 0 rating

Publisher: Masterson Press
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

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Search - Walt Whitman's Diary In Canada: With Extracts From Other Of His Diaries And Literary Note-Books

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