Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1855-07-05
THE UNHAPPY REPLY.
By RosALIE

81 do not think it is selfish act If l
occupy this whole seat to myself, as am
to travel all this long warm day J" said
to lady nearest me. one sul,Iy morning, as
took the out-of-the way end seat, in the
cars at Buffalo for Albany.
"Certainiy not" was the reply, as put
my shawl, books, papers, fan. boquet. &c.
in the one end and nestled myself down in
the other. soon wearied of conversation
and reading, and had sunk into a ftful
slumber, when gentle tap on my shoulder
and a low "rlease Miss" made me wake
with sudden start.
The car was filled to OVERLOOKING, and a
newly arrived party had entered and pale
little woman with a fre,ful baby in her
arms. stood asking permission TO sit beside
me. With more of pity than Of pleasure,
shared my seat with her, yet spoke but
few words. and sulkiy forbore taking the
restless little creature, to ease her poor
wearied arms-but merely smoo,hed its
golden hair, and patted its pale baby cheeks
and said Mary was good and sweet name.
For my own comfort had opened the
window that might more distinctly catch
those picturesque views that fitted by so
quickly that they seemed like glowing pic
lures without one imperlec,ion TO mar, when
my attention Was drawn to my companion
who was necessarily coughing.
81 do wish you would let down that
window" said she, "lhe coal smoke makes
my cough SO much worse"
am ashamed to confess it now, but
felt the angry blood burn in my cheeks and
IA flashing Of the eyes as replied, " am
quite sick and wearied and troubled and
hungry and thirsty and crowded, and here
you come as an intruder and would 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 by I" said tartly,
and without waiting for a reply,l rose aud
was letting down the window with an angry
crash, as a naughty child would slam door
shut, when She laid her poor wasted little
hand on my arm and said, "Oh, don't do it
hen,' and burst into tears. aud leaned her
head down to her baby and cried bitterly.
The woman in my heart was touched, but
putting on the inluted air Of a martyr, |
compressed my lips and took up paper
pretending to read. Pretty soon my eyes
grew DIM could no, see without crashing
the tears often, and resolved to ask her
pardon for my unkindness; but minute after
minute glided away, and we soon reached
her place of destination and she rose to
leave. | rose too and the words were on
my lips, when gentleman came to assist
her out.
She turned her gentle and fearful eyes
upon me with sad expression, and bowed
so sweetly that my hand was almost up
raised to appeal for the forgveness-the
words were just dropping from my lips, but
she was gone; it was too late, and |,
woman, with a woman's heart, was left
with that singing little barb sticking in it,
and the sweet words and wasted little hand
that alone could remove it were gone from
me 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. lenquired who the
lady was, and he replied, d" Her home is in
Wisconsin and she has returned to the home
of her childhood to die. The whole family
of brothers and sisters died Of consumption
and she, the last one left, is going too"
oh. turned away sick at heart, and
tried 10 shut out from remembrance that
palld appealing face as sesoIved and rec
resolved never again in this poor life of
mine to speak another unklnd word.