Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-10-28
The Conductor Caught.

behind"
The cars were waiting at station of one
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,
women. and children, were rushing for the
cars, and hastily securing their seats, while
the locomotive snortea, and pufed, and
blowed.
A man carelessly dressed was standing
on the platform of the depot. He was look
ing 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 easily have supposed that he was
a man of neither wealth nor influence. The
conductor of the train gave him con-
temptuous look, and slapping him familiar
iy on the shoulder, he called out:
"Hallo, Limpy; better get aboard, or the
cars will leave you behind"
Time enough, reckon replied the in
dividual SO roughly addressed, and he re-
tanned his seemingly .listless position.
The last trunk was tumbed into the bag.
gage car. "An aboard !" cried the con-
ductor. SECT on, Limpy," said he, as he
passed the lame, csrlessly 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 auietly,. took
seat. 1 l9 f SO -iss
The train had moved ON few miles,
when the conductor appeared at the door of
the car where our friend was sitting. Pass
ing along, he soon discovered the stranger
whom he had seen at the station.
Hand out your money hsre!"
al don't pay" replied the lame man, very
quietly.
'Don't pay,"
"No. sir"
''Ws'li see about that. ] shall put you
out at the next station ~ and he seized the
valise which was o 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 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 few PAGES of, gentleman who had
heard the conversation just mentioned.
looked up at the conductor, and asked him,
"Do you know to whom you were spesk-
ing just now1''
"No, SIR"
"Tbat was Peter Warburton, the Presi-
dent of the road"
''Are you sure of that, sir," replied the
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! He had been rudely treated; he had
been unkindly taunted with the infrmity
which 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 be ,
deprived of his place at once. Should he :
DO it,
And yet, why should he carel He knew ,
what he was worth. He knew how he mad
risen by his own exertlons to the position
ne now held. When little orange peddler, ..
he stood by the street-crossings, 7he had
many rebuff He had outlived those days I,
,f hardship; he was respected now. Should /,
he care for q strangers roughness or tauat, !.
Those who sat near him waited curiously to
zee the end.
Presently the conductor came back d,
With steady energy he walked up to Mr..
side. He took his books from c
lis pocket, the bank bills. the tickets which i
le had collected, and laid them in Mr.. War
'urton's hand.
81 resign my place, sir, he said.
The President looked owe. the accoonts I
or moment, then motioning to the vacant
eat at his side, said: n
"Sit down. sir, would like to talk with
'ou" d
As the young man sat down, the Presi- v
eEt turned to him with face in which was t
10 angry feeling, anG spoke to him in an t
ndertone: e
"My young friend, I have no revengeful e
ceilings to crafty in :his matter; but you b
ave been very imprudent. Your manner. d
ud i been tAt,s 80 --etrenaer, would have I
'een very injurious 10. the interests of the "
ompsnv. / mi ght tell them OF this, but l I
will not. By doing so | should throw you a
'ut of your situation. and you might find it t
ificult to find another. But in the future,
emember to be polite n ~ hom YOU meet. b
You can not judge Of a man by the coat he
wears; and even the poores, ,nouid be treat
ID with civility. Take up you5 books, sir.
shall tell no one of what has passed III
'ou change your course, nothing which has .
happened to-day shall injure you. Your q
situation is still continued Good morning,
iir" n
The train of cars swept on, as many a Il
rain had done before; but within it les- a
ION had been given and learned, and the d
,urport of the lesson ran somewhat thus: n
Don't judge from appearances. G
0JMany an unwise parent works hard a
md lives sparingly all his life for the pur- |
1ose of leaving enouph to give his children g