Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-08-01
An Incident OF Real Life--The Unhappy Re
rlV

81 do not think it selfish act if occupy this
whole seat myself, as am to travel all this long
day." said to lady nearest me, one sutry
morning, as took the out-of- theway end seat,
in the cars at Buffalo, for Albany.
"Certainly not" was the reply, as put my
shawl, books, papers, fan, bouquet, &c., in the
one end, and nestled myself down in the other.
soon wearied of conversation and reading, and
had sunk into ftful slumber, when gentle tap
on my shoulder, and low "please, Miss" mad e
me wake with a sudden start
The car was filled to overfowiDg, and a new
ly arrived party had entered. and a pale little
woman with fretfu baby in her arms, stood ask
inc permission 10 sit beside me- With more OF
pity than pleasure, shared my seat with her,
yet spoke but few words, and sulkily forbore
taking the restless little creature TO ease her poor,
wearied arms; but merely smoothed its yellow
hair and its pale, baby cheeks, and said Mary
was a good and sweet name.
For my own comfort had opened the window
that might more distinctly catch those pictu-
rescue views, that fitted by so quickly that they
seemed like glowing pictures, without one imper-
fection to mar, when my attention was drawn to
my companion, who was necessarily coughing.
Il do wish you would let down that window"
much worse"
am ashamed to confess it now, but felt the
angry blood burn in my cheek, and flashing of
the eyes, as I replied:
81 am quite sick, and wearied, and troubled,
and hungry, and thirsty, and crowded, and here
you come as an intruder. and keep me from the
mite of cool, fresh air that am trying to get
Do you think you are doing as you would be done
L,,0 nd
reply, rose, and was letting down the window
with an angry crash, as naughty child would
slam door shut, when she laid her poor wasted
head on my arm, and said "Oh! don't do it
thenw and burst into tears, and leaned her head
down on her baby, and cried bitterly.
The woman in my heart was touched, but put
ting on the injured air of a martyr, compressed
my lips, and took upa paper, pretending TO read.
Pretty soon my eyes grew dimmed. | could not
see without crushing the tears otter, land resolv
ed to ask her pardon for my unkindness but mi
mute after minute glided away and we soon reach
ed her place of destination, and she rose to leave,
rose, too, and the words were on my lips, when
a gentleman came to assist her out.
She turned her gentle fearful eyes upon me
with sad expression, and bowed so sweetly
that my hand was almost uprased 10 appeal for
glVeneSS,-tne WoruS were just uToPpinS iioiu NY
lips,-but she was gone, it was loo late, and a
woman, with woman's heart, was left with that
singing little barb sticking in it, and the sweet
words and wasted little hand that alone could re-
move it, were gone from nae forever. sank
back in my seat and wept bitterly.
The gentleman returned from assisting her,
and as the car was full, he took the place she
had vacated. inquired who the lady was, and
he replied:
.Her home is in Wisconsin, and she has re-
turned to the home of her childhood to die. The
whole family of brothers and sisters died Of con
sumption, and she, the last one left is going too.
Oh! turned away sick at heart, and tried to
shut out from remembrance that pallid, appealing
face, as resolved, and re resolved, never again
in this poor life of mine to speak an unknd word.
Ohio Far ner.