The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-11-13
POLITE TO ALL PERSONS.


POLITE TO ALL PEHSONSs
You cannot judge man by the coat he wears
'Halloa, Limpy, the cars will start in a
minute; hurry up, or we shall leave you be-
hindu
The cars were waiting at station of one
of our western railroads. The engine was
putting and blowing. The baggage-naster
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 puffed and
blowed.
A man carelessly dressed was standing on
the platform Of the depot. He was looking
around him, and seemingly paid little atten-
ton to what was passing. 1t was easy to
see that he was lame. At a hasty glance,
one might easily have supposed that he was
u man of neither wealth nor influence. The
conductor Of the train gave him contemp-
tuous look, and slapping him familiarly on
the shoulder, he called out.
'Halloa, Limpy, better get aboard or the
cars will leave you!'
Time enough, !! reckon replied the in
dividual so roughly addressed, and he re-
tanned bis seemingly listless position. ;
The last trunk was tumbled into the bag
gage car. sAil aboard!' cried the conduct
or. 'Get on Limpy' said be, as he passed
the lame man.
| He made no reply. "a
Just as the train was slowly moving away
the lame man stepped on the platform of the
last car, and walking in quietly took seat.
/ haA e. u. -
the conductor appeared at the door of the
car where our friend was sitting. Passing
along be soon discovered the stranger whom
he had seen at the station.
'lland out your money here.'
q don't pay,' replied the lame man, very
quietly.
.pe Don't ,t,p ppay''
sWe'll see about that. l shall put you
out ut the next staton!' and he seized the
valise which was on the rack over the head
of our friend.
Better not be so rough, young man. re-
turned the stranger.
The conductor released the carpet bag for
a moment, and seeing he could do no more
then, he passed on to collect the fare from
other passengers. As he stopped at a seat
afew PAGES off, gentleman who had heard
the conversation just mentioned, looked up
at the conductor, and asked him
'Do you know to whom you were speaking
Just now"
no, sir -
'That was Peter Warbur,on, the Presi.
dent of the road.' I
'Are you sure of that, STRIP replied the
conductor, trying to conceal his agitation.
81 know him.
The color rose little in the young mans
face, but with strong effort, he controlled
himself and went on collecting his fare as
usual.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Warburton sat quietly in
his seat--none of those who were near him,
could unravel the expression of his face,
nor tell what would be the next movement
in the scene. And he-of what thought he:
lie had been rudely treated; he had been un.
kindly tainted with the infrmity which had
come, perhaps, through no fault of his
lie could revenge himself if he chose. He
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? He knew
what he was worth. He knew how he had
risen BY his own exertions to the position
no now held. When a little orange peddler
he stood by the street crossings, he had
many u rebuff. He had out-lived those
days of hardness; he was respected now.-
Should he care for strangers roushness or
taunt? Those who sat near him waited Gu
riousv to see the end.
Presently the conductor came back
With "A steady energy he walked up to Mr..
Warburton's side. He took his books from
his pocket, the bank bills, and the tickets
which he had collected, and laid them in
Mr.. Warburton's hand.
q Iresign my place, sir he said.
The President looked over the accounts
for a moment, and then motiouing to the va.
cant seat at his side, said
sit down, sir, would like to talk with
YOU
As the young man sat down the Presiden,
turned to him with Il face in which there was
no angry feeling, and spoke to him in an un.
dcrtone:
MY young friend, have no revengefu
feelings to crafty in this matter; but you
have been very impudent. Your manner
had it been to stranger, would have been
very injurious to the interests Of the com.
pany. might tell them of this, but will
not. By so doing, should throw you ou,
of your situation, and you might find it diff.
fcult to find another. But, in future, re.
member to be polite to all whom you meet
You cannot judge of a man by the coat he
wears; and even the poorest should be treat
ed with civility. Take up your books. sir,
shall tell no one of what has passed. II
you change your course, nothing which has
happened to- day shall injure you. Your
situation shall be continued. Good morn
Ing SIR
The train of cars swept on, rs many a
train had done before, but within it, les
son had been given and learned, and the
purport of that lesson ran somewhat thus
Don't judge from appearances.
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