The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-05-19
TIL + DISTINCTION

j - ~ bI'plI-N " loA''
1t is an established TACT, in this pro
gresslve age. that II fashionabIy t'r-
ed woman will always have attention
shown her. If she travels alone,
willing hands are always ready to as
sist her. Mark with what care she is
helped on or from the steamboat or
railroad car. But let one of her hum
bier sisters comr--sce the distinction
Her apparel is poor, and she is at once
set down as no lady although, in the
true sense of the word, she may be the
superior, for fine clothes often times
cover black and corrupted hearts. |
have seen gentlemen--thcy would be
highly in>uled if they were not Sty-
led Us such willingly give up their
seats in the railroad car to wed
dressed woman, who would take it
without even a pleasant thank you,
sir-that was beneath her dignity
while the same gentlemen would let
one poorly y clad stand an hour, ere
they would offer their seats. though
she was just as respectable, and paid
the same fare as her more fortunate
sister.
As an illustration of what | have
said, | will relate a littl incident
which ! saw myself was riding on
the cars between w., and
New York. Soon after had taken
my seat a young woman entered. On
one arm she bore Il beautiful sleeping
inlant-on the othera heavy basket.
Her clothes were old and faded, but
still neat.
As ! gazed into her face. it was ca
sy to see that she had once been very
beautiful, for there were still some
lingering traces, though her cheeks
and eyes were sunken, and around her
small mouth were many lines oIc care.
She had evidently seen better days,
and could not help picluring to my
mind IA clandestine marriage, a purse
proud father in his rage torbdding her
the shelter of her chjldhood's ONE,
and now she had gone forth with the
loved one, and, ere Icng, he had died
and left her to struggle alone in an
unfeeling world, with nothing to love
on earth but her hel elpless babe.
But my reverie was soon broken by
the object Of my thoughts rising and
YEARLY tottering to the door. Just
as she was attempting to go through
it a dashing young lady, robed in the
heighth of fashion, came up the steps,
followed by small biped in imitation
of man. Never can | forget the
tone of the conductors voice, as he
said
"Come, hurry yourself out of the
way, woman, so that this lady can get
inp
Engraven on my memory yet is the
;ook OF pain that swept over the poor
woman's pallid face, as the would-be
iady drew herself up haughtiIy as she
came in contact with her poor sister
and the sneer on her Ii ps said as plain
jy as words--"I wish such miserable
creatures knew their place better"-
All how ] wanted to repeat to thai
young lady those beautiful lines by C.
Jillson:
"Oh ye who dwell in stately halls,
Where wealth and fame are known
Remember you may yet be poor,
Neglected and alone"
When those who have dwelt in af,
auence feel the gaunt, icy fingers o
poverty grasp them. then, and onl,
until then. can they feel what distinc
ton is used; for friends whom the,
thought true will lorsake them. The,
sought them because of their wealth
not for their true worth. How man,
people there are who seem to forget
that the same God gave us all exis
tence, and that we are formed Of dust
and unto dust we must surely return