The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-12-08
Be Courteous, or the Railroad Conduc.
tor Caught.

"hailoa, Limpy, the cars will start in
minute; hurry up, or we shall leave YOU
behind,
The cars were waiting at station of
one OF our Western railroads. The en-,
gine was putting and blowing. The bag.
gage master was busy with baggage and
checks. The men were hurrying to and
fro with chests and valises, packages and
trunks. Men, women and children were
rushing for the cars, and hastily securing
their seats, while the locomotive snorted,
and putfed, aud blowcd.
A man carelcssly dressed was s,andino
on the platform Of the depot. lie was
looking around him, and seemingly paid
little attention to what was passing. 1t
was easy to see that lie was lame. Alta
hasty glance one might easily have sup.
posed that he was a man Of neither wealth
nor influence. The conductor Of the train
gave him contcmptuous look, and slap.
ping hlm famiiiarIy on the shoulder, called
out.
"HaIloa, Limpy, better get aboard, or
the cars will leave you behind -
"I'me enough, recon-" replied the in
dividual so roughly addressed, and he re
tanned his seemingly listess position.
The last trunk was ,um6led into the
baggagecar.
"All aboard =" cried the conductor -
"Get on, Limpy !" said he, passing the
lame, carclessly dressed man.
The lame man made no reply.
Just AS the train was slowly moving
away, the lame man stepped on the plat
form OF the last car, and, walking in, qui
etly took his seat.
The train had moved on few miles
when the conductor appeared at the door
oil the car where our friend was sitting
Passing along, he soon discovered the
stranger whom he had seen at the sta.
ton.
"Hand out your money here ?'
81 don't pay" replied the lame man,
very quietly.
non'tpay Z"
mo, sir"
"WeII see about that. shall put YOU
out at the next station" and he seized
the valiss which was on the rack over the
| head of our friend
"Better not be SO rough, Young man."
returned the stranger.
The conductor released the carpet. .bap
for IA moment, and seeing lie could do no
more then, he passed on to collect the fare
| from other passengers. AS he stopped a,
sea, :ew PAGES off, a gentleman who
had heard the conversation Just mentioned
looked up at the conductor and asked
him:
DO YOU know to whom YOU We're spea
king just now 2
NO, sir
That was Peter Warburton, the Pres
! ident Of the road.
Are YOU sure Of that, sir 2 replied the
conductor, trying to conceal his agitation
4 know him.
The color rose a little in the Young
mans face, but with strong effort he
controlled himself, and went on collect,
ing the fare rs usual.
/ Meanwhile Mr.. Warburton sat quietly
in his seat-none Of those who were neal
him could unrave the expression OF his
face, nor tell what would be the mex,
movement in the scene. And hc-o
what thought he ? He had been rudelv
treated lie had been unkindly tauntcd
with the infrmty which had come prob.
ably through no fault OF his. He could
revenge himself il lie chose. lie could
tell the Directors the simple truth. and
the young man would be deprived OF his
place at once Should he do it?
And yet, why should he care lie
knew what he was worth. lie knew
how he had risen hy his own exertions
to the position he now held. When, a
little orange peddler, he stood by the
street.crossings, he had many rebuff
! He had outlived those DAYS OF hardship
/ he was respected now. Should he care
for strangers roughness or taunt p
Those who sat near him waited curiously
4 TO see the end.
Presently the conductor came back
With = steady energy he waIked ~ tc
/ Mr.. Warburton's side. He took hi.
books from his pocket, the bank bills, th,
tickets which he had collected, end lait
them in Mr.. WMburton's hand.
Il resign my place, sir lie said.
! The President looked over ihe accounts
for a moment, then motioning to the va
cant seat at his side, said
Sit down, sir, would like to talk will
YOU
J As the young man sat down, the Pres
! ident turned to him face In which wa
no angry feeling, and spoke to him in al
under tone
My young friend, I have no revenge
ful feeling to CRAFTY in this matter, bu
you have been very imprudent You
manner. had it been thus to a stranger
would have been very injurious to tn
interests Of the company. I might tel
them Of this, but I will not. By doin,
so ] should throw you ont Of your situa
tior., and you might find il difficult t
find another But in future, iemembe
to be polite TO all whom you meet. Yo
cannot judge Of a man 10y coat h
wears and even the Doorest sbonl1 \