Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-01-07
POLITE TO All PERSONS.

- j on cannot Juoge man oy the coat ne
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
putting and blowing The baggage master
was busy with his baggage and checks. The
men were hurrying to and fro with chests and
vaises, packages and trunks. Men. women
and children were rushing for the cars and
hastily securing their seats, while the locomo-
tive snorted and puffed and blowed.
man carelessly dressed 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. At hasty glance one
might easily have supposed that he was a man
Of neither wealth OF influence. The conduc-
tor Of the train gave him a contemptuous look,
and slapping him familiarity on the shoulder,
he called out,
"Holloa, Limpy, You better get aboard, or
the cars will leave you"
Time enough, l reckon" replied tn. indi-
vidual so roughly addressed, and he retained
his seemingly listless position.
The last trunk was tumbled into the bag
gage 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 along
he soon discovered the stranger whom he had
seen at the station.
Hand out your money here :"
IL don't pay" replied the lame man, very
quietly.
Don't pay"
"No sir"
"We'll see about that shall put you out
at the next station" and he seized the valise
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 a
moment, and seeing he could do no more then,
he passed on to collect the fare from the other
passengers. As he stopped at seat few
PAGES off, gentleman who had heard the con-
vcrsation Just mentioned, looked up to the
conductor and asked him
DO you know to whom you were speaking
Just now;"
mo, sir"
That was Peter Waburton, the President
of the road
"Are you sure of that, SIR" replied the
conductor, trying to conceal his agitation.
''l know him"
| The color rose little in the young man S
face, but with strong effort he controlled
himself and went on collecting his fare as
usual
Meanwhile Mr.. Waburlon 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 hes He had been
rudely treated he had been unkindly taunted
with the infrmity that had come perhaps
/ through no fault of his. He could revenge him
self 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 cares He knew
what he was worth He 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
a rebuff. He had outlived those days of hard
ness he was respected now Should he care
for strangers roughness or taunti Those
who sat near him waited curiously to see the
end.
Presently the conductor came back. With
a steady energy he walked up to Mr.. Wabur-
tons side. He took his books from his pock-
ct, the bank bills, and the tickets which he
had collected and laid them in Mr.. Wabur-
tons hand.
Il resign my place, sir" he said.
The President looked over the accounts for
moment, then motionng him to the vacant
seat 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 a face in which there was
no angry feeling, and spoke to him in an un.
dertone