The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-10-28
Polite to all Persons.
"You cannot Judge a man by the coat he wear

"You cannot Judge man by the coat he wears"
"Halloa, Iimpy, the cars will start in a
minute hurry up, or we shall leave you be-
hindp'
| The cars were waiting at station Of one Of
our western railroads. The engine was puff
ing and blowing. The baggage.mastet was
busy with baggage and checks. The men
| were hurrying to and fro with chests and va
lises, packages and trunks. Men, women and
children were rushing for the cars and hasfi-
ly securing their, seats, while the locomotive
saortsd, 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-
tion to what was passing. 1t was easy to see
that he was lame. Ata hasty glance, one
might easily have supposed that he was man
Of neither wealth nor influence. The conduc.
tor of the train gave him contemptuous look,
and slappiEg him familiarly on the shoulder,
| he called out
"Halloa, Limpy, better get aboard or the
cars will leave yon."
"Time enough, reckon" replied the indi-
vidual so roughly addressed, and he retained
his seemingly listless position.
The last trunk was tumbled ainto the bag
gage car. "All aboardp' cried the conductor.
"Get on Limpy' said be, as he passed the lame
| man.
He made no reply.
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.
The train had moved on few miles when
the conductor appeared at the door OF the cal
where our friend was sitting. Passing along
he soon discovered the stranger whom he had
seen at the station.
! "Hsnd out your money here!'' ...,
81 don't pay" replied the lame man very
quietly. 49,. ..s-r,, .ss
"Don't pay?"
"No, STRIP
| "We'll see about that. shall put you ou'
at the next station p' and he seized the valise
which was on the rack over the head Of oul
friend
"Better not be $50 rough, young man," re.
turned the stranger.
! The conductor released the carpet-bag for /,
moment; and seeing he could do no more ther
he passed on to collect the fare from other pas.
ssngers. As he stopped at seat few PAGES
off, gentleman who had heard the conversa-
ton jast mentioned, looked up at the conduc.
tor and asked him
"Do You know to whom YOU were speaking
Just now?"
"No, SIR"
'sThat was Peter .Warburton, the President
Of the road.,
"Are you sure Of that, ?" replied tn,
conductor, trying to conceal his agitation.
81 know him." s
The color rose little in the young man.
himself, aud went on collecting his fare Al
usual. ..a
Meanwhile Mr.. Warburton sat quietly il
his seat-none of those who were near hin
could unravel the expression OF his face mo-
tell what would be the next movement in tn,
scene. And he-of what thought he? H,
had been rudely treated; be had been unkind
ly taunted with the inhrmity which had com,
perhaps through no fault of his. He coul,
revenge himself If he chose. He could tel
the directors the simple truth, and the youn,
man would be deprived Of his place at once.
Should he do it?
i And yet why should he care? He knew
what he was worth. He knew how he ha,
risen by his own exertions to the position h,
now held. When, little orange-p eddler, b.
stood by the street crossings, he had many
rebuff. He had outlived those days of hard
ness; he was respected now. Should he car,
for strangers roughness or taunt? Thos,
who sat near him waited curlously to see tn,
end.
Presently the conductor came back. With
a steady energy he walk up to Mr.. Warbur'
toms side He took his books from his pocket
the bank bills, and the tickets which he hat
collected, and laid them in Mr.. Warburton'l
hand.
| 'sIresign my place, sir" he said.
The President looked over the accounts fol
a moment, and then motioning to the vacan,
seat al his side, said
| sSit down, sir, would like to talk with
you"
| <1S ehC ohhS uioh SoS Ao"b, shS
turned to him with face il which there wa.
no angry feeling, and spoke to him in an un-
dertone:
"My young friend, have no revengefu
feelings to crafty in this matter but you
have been very imprudent. Your manner, had
it been to stranger, would have been very in
furious to the interests Of the company.
might tell them Of this, but will not. By sc
dong should throw you out Of your situa.
tion. and you might fud it difficult to int
another. But, in future, remember to b. polite
to all whom you meet You cannot judge Of
a man by the coat he wears ; and even thu
poorest should be treated with civilty. Take
up your books, sir, shall tell no one Of wha
has passed. II you change your course, moth
iLg which bad happened TODAY shall injurs
/ you. Your situation shall be continued
Good morning, sirl"
1 The train Of cars swept on, as many trair
had done before but within it lesson hae
been given ana learned, and the purport Of tht
Ilesson ran somewhat thus-''Don't judge frou
appearances."
/ ~On Saturday last, son OF Mr.. Sercoss
Of Prairie du Chen, a lad 10 or IL years o.