The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-12-03
THE RAILROAD CONDUCTORS LES
SON

minute; hurry up, or we snail leave you be-
hindr
The cars were waiting at station Of ono
Of our Western railroads. The engine was
putting and blowing. The baggage master
was busy with baggage and checks. The
men were hurrying to and fro with chests
and valises, packages and trunks. Men, wo.
men and children were rushing for the cars
and securing their seats, while the locomotive
snortrd, and pulfrd and blowed.
A man cnrelessly dressed was standing on
the platform of the depot lie was looking
around him. and seemingly paid little atten
ton to what was passing. 1t was easy to see
that he wns lame. At hnsty glance one
might easily have supposed that he was n
man Of neither wealth nor influence. The
conductor of the train gave him contemptu
Gus look, and slapping him famiIiary on the
shoulder, called out:
'Elalloo, Limpy, better get aboard, or the
cars will leave you behind!
Time enough, reckon replied the indi-
vidnal so roughly addressed, and he retained
his seemingly listless position.
The last trunk was iumbled into the bag
gage ear. 'All aboard cried the conductor.
Get on, Limpyl' said he, as he passed the
lame, carelessly dressed man.
The lame man made no reply.
Just rs the car was slowly moving away,
the lame man stepped on the platform Of the
last car, and walking in, quietly took n seat.
The train had moved on n few miles, when
the conductor appeared at the door of the car
where our friend was sitting. Passing along,
he soon discovered the stranger whom he had
seen at the station.
Hand out your money here ?
4 don't pay replied the lame man, very
quietly.
Don't pay?'
NO, SIR
'Wc'll see about that. shall put you out
at the next stationp and he seized the vaise
which was on the rack over the head of our
| friend.
Better not be so rough, young mas,' re-
turned the stranger.
The conductor released the carpet bag for
n moment; aud seeing he could do no more
ther. he passed on to collect the fare from
other passengers. As he stopped at a seat
few PAGES off, gentleman who had heard the
conversation just mentioned, looked up at the
conductor, and asked him:
DO you know to whom you was speaking
just nowp
mo, SIR
'That was Peter Warburton, the President
of the road.'
Are you sure of that, sirF replied the con.
ductor, trying to conceal his agitation.
q know him.
The color rose little in the young mans
face, but with n strong effort he controlled
himself, and went on collecting his fare as
usual.
Meanwhile Mr.. Wnrbnrton sat quietly in
his seat-some Of those who were near him
could not unravel the expression of his face,
nor tell what would be the next movement
in the scene. And he-what thought he2--
lie had been rudely treated: he had been un.
kindly taunted with the infrmity which had
come perhaps through no fault of his. He
could revenge himself If he choose. 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 vet, why should he care! He knew
what he was worth. lie knew how he had
risen by his own exertions to the position he
now held. When, n little orange peddler,
he stood by street crossings he had many n
rebuff. lie had outlived those days of hard
ship he was respected now. Should he care
for Strangers roughness or taunt? Those
who sat near him waited curiously to see
the end
Presently the conductor came back. Will,
n steady energy he walked up to Mr.. War.
hurton's side. lie took his books from his
pocket, the bank bills, the tickets which he
had collected, laid them in Mr.. Warburton'.
hand.
4 resign my place, sir he said.
The President looked over tho account.
for moment, then motioning TO the vacan
seat at his side, said
SIT down, sir, would like to talk will
YOU
As the young man sat down, the Prcsiden
turned to him Il face in which was no angr,
feeling, and spoke to him in an under tone.
My young friend, have no revengefu
feelings to crafty in this matter; but yol
have been very imprudent. Your manner
had it been TINS to stranger, would hav,
been very injurious to the interests of til,
company. might tell them of this, but
will not. BY doing so, should throw 20,
out of your situation, and you might find i
difficult to find another. But, in future, re
member to be polite to all whom You meet
, You cannot Judge of n man by the coat hi
wears; and even the poorest should be treat
ed with civIty. Take up your books, sir.
shall tell no one of what has passed. If yol
change your course, nothing which has hap
, pened to-day shall injure you. Your situation
is still continued.
THE OLD PRINTER.
A Printer stood at his case one night.