Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-12-04
POLITE TO ALL PERSONS.

POLITE TO ALL PERSONS.
"You cannot judge man by the coat he
wears"
"Halloa, Limpy, the cars will start in min
ute, hurry up, or we shall leave YOU behind?"
The cars were waiting at station of one of
our Western railroads. The engine was puff
ing and blowing. The baggage master was
busy with the baggage and checks. The men
were hurryng to and fro with chests and va
lises, packages and trunks. Men, women and
children were rushing for the cars and hastily
securing their seats, while the locomotive
snorted and pulled and blowed.
A man carelessy dressed was standing 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
he was lame. At haSty glance one might ca
silly have supposed that he was man Of neither
wealth or influence. The conductor of the train
gave him contemptuous look. and slapping
him tamiliarly on the shoulder, he called out,
"llolloa, Limpy, you better get aboard, or
the cars will leave YOU"
"'Iime enough, reckon" replied the indi-
yidual so roughly addressed, and he retained
his seemingly listless position.
The last trunk was tumbled into the baggage
car. "All aboard cried the conductor. "Get
on. Limpy" said he, as he passed the lame,
carelessly dressed man.
The lame man 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 a seat
The train had moved on a few miles when
the conductor appeared at the door of the car
where our friend was sitting Passing alorg
he soon discovered the stranger whom he had
seen at the station.
"lland out your money here?"
81 don't pay replied the lame man, very
quietly.
don't pay2"
"No sir"
"Well see about that. shall put you out
at the next station and he seized the vase
which was in 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 q
moment, and seeing he could do no more then,
he passed on to collect the fare from the other
passengers. As he stopped at a seat few pa
ces off, gentleman who had heared the con-
versation just mentioned, looked up to the
conductor and asked him?
"Do you know to whom you were speaking
just now"
w, SIT.
THAT was Peter Waburton, the President OF
the road"
Are you sure OF that, sir ?" replied the con-
ductor, trying to conceal his agitation.
II 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.. Waburton sat quietly in his
seat-none of those who were near him could
unraye 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 unkindly taunted with the
iltirmity had come perhaps through no fault Of
his. He could revenge himself if he chose
He could tell the directors the simple truth, and
the Young man would he deprived of his place
at once. Should he do it
And yet why should he care? He knew wha,
he was worth. lie knew how he had risen by
his own exertions to the position he now held
When little orange pedler, he stood by the
street crossings he had many rebuff. He had
outlived those days Of hardness he was re.
spected now. Should he care for strangers
rOughness or taunt? Those who sat near him
waited curiously to see the end.
Presently tho conductor came back. With
steady energy he walked up to Mr.. Waburton's
side. He took his books from his pocket, the
bank bills, and the tickets which he had collect
ed, and laid them in Mr. Waburton's hand
81 resign my place, sir, he said.
The President looked over the accounts for
moment, then motioning him to the vacant sea-
at his side said:
"Sit down, sir, would like to talk with you.
As the young man sat down, the President
turned to him with face in which there was nc
angry feeling, and spoke to him in an under
| tone:
"My young friend l have no revengeful feel
ings to CRAFTY in this matter; but you have
been very imprudent. Your manner had it beer
thus to stranger would have been very iniu
rious to the interests of the company. nigh
tell them of this, but | will not. BY doing so
should throw you out of your situation, and yol
might find it difficult to find another. But il
future, remember to be polite to all whom yol
meet. You cannot judge of man by the Goa
he wears and even the poorest should be treat
ed with civilty. | shall tell no one of what ha
passed. If you change your course, nothin,
which has happened to-day shall injure you.-
Your situation is still continued. Good morn
ing, sir ~
The train of cars swept on, as many trail
had done before; but within it a lesson hat
been given and learned and the purport of th
lesson ran somewhat thus-Don't Judge from
appearances.