The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-11-25
Be Courteous, or the Railroad Conductor
Caught.

Inc following incident illustrates the
adage, "You cannot judge of a man b
the coat he wears:"
"Halloa, Limpy, the cars will start ir
minute; hurry up, or We shall leave you
bebind!"
The cars were waiting at station oi
one of our Western railroads. The en-
gins was putting and blowing. The bag
gage master was busy with baggage and
checks. The men were hurryiDg 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 attention to what was passing. 1t
was easy to see that he was lame. At a
hasty glance one might easily have sup
posed that he was man of neither wealth
nor influence. The conductor of the
train gave him contemptuous look, and
'siapping him familiarly on the shoulder,
called out,
"Halloa, Limpy, better get aboard, or
the cars will leave you behind!"
"Time enough, l reckon" replied the
individual SO roughly addressed, and he
retained his seemingly listless position.
The last trunk was tumbIed into the
baggage-car. Gall 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 a.
way, the lame man stepped on the plat
form of the last car, and walking in,
quietly took bis seat.
The train had moved on 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!"
81 don't pay" replied the lame man
very quietly.
Don't payl"
"No Sir"
"We'll see about that. shall put you
out at the next station!" and he seized the
valise 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 baylor
a moment, and seeing he could do no more
then, be passed on to collect the fare from
other passengers. As he stopped at
seat few PAGES of, a 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"
"Tbat was Peter Warburton, the Pres.
ident of the road"
"Are you sure of that, Sirl" replied the
conductor, trying to conceal his agita-
ton.
81 know him."
The color rose little in the young
mans face, but with strong effort be
controlled himself, and went on collecting
the 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
in the scene. And he-of
what thought he! He had been rudely
treated; be had been unkindly taunted
with the iu6rmity which had come prob
ably through no fault of bis. He 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 be do it!
And yet, why should be carel He
knew what be was worth. He knew how
he had risen by his own exertions to the
position be now held. When. little
orange peddler, he stood by tho street.
crossings, he had many rebuff. He had
outlived those days of hardship; he was
respected now. Should be care for
strangers roughness or tauntl Those
who sat near him waited curiously to see
the end.
Presently the conductor came back
With steady energy be walked up to
Mr.. WarburtoD's side. He took bis books
from bis pocket, the bank bills, the tick
cts which be had collected, and laid them
in Mr.. Warburton's hand.
II resign my place, Sir" be said.
The President looked over the accounts
for moment, then motioning 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 Pres
idept turned to him face in which was
no angry feeling, and spoke to him in an
under tone.
"My young friend, have no revenge
full feelings to crafty in this matteri but
you have been very imprudent. Your
manner, had it been thus to stranger,
would have been very injurious to the In.
terests of the Company. | might tell
them of this, but l will not. BY doing
SO should throw you out OF your situa.
o - IsA,nulk 81 81