American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-01-01
POLITE TO ALL PERSONS. z

J.. "ililoa, Limpy, the cars VIII start
in minute hurry up or We shall leave
you behind!'
Tho cars were waiting at o station
of one of our Western railroads. The
engine was putting and blowing. The
baggage master was busy with bag
gage and checks. The men were hur.
jryng to and fro with chests and vail
ses, packages and trunks Men, wo-
men aud children, were rushing for the
cars, and hastily securing their seats,
while the locomotive snorted, ,puffed and
blowed.
A man carelessly dressed was stand
ing on the platform of the depot. He
was looking around him, and seeming
jly paid little attention to what was
passing. 1t was easy to SEQ that he
was lame. At a hasty glance one
might easily have supposed that he
was man ofneither wealth nor inilu-
ence. The conductor of the train gave
him contemptuous look and slapping
him famillarly on the shoulder, he cal
led out
"Hilloa, Limpy, better get aboard,
or the cars will leave you"
"Time enough, I reckon" replied
the individual so roughly addressed,
and he retained his seemingly listlCss
position.
The last trunk was tumb|cd into the
baggage car. "All aboard" cried the
conductor. "Get on, Limpy," said he .
as he passed the lame, ,carelessly dress
ed 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 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 discov-
cred the stranger whom he had seen
at the station.
"Hand out your money here!'
II don't pay" said the lame man
very quietly.
"Don't pay?"
"No, sir"
"We'll see about that. I shall put
you out at the next station" and he
seized the valise which was on the rack
over the head of our friend. d,
"Better not be so rough, young
man, )" returned 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 passeii-
gers. As he stopped at scat few
PAGES off, a gentleman who had heard
the conversation just mentioned, look
ing up at the conductor, asked him
ado you know to whom you were
speaking just now?"
"No, SIR"
"That was Peter Warburton, the
President Of this road"
care you sure of that, sir?" replied
the conductor, 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 collect
ing his fare as usual.
Meanwhile Mr.. Warburton sat oui-
city in his seat--none of those who
were near him could unravel the ex-
presson 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 tdunted with the infirmity
which had come perhaps through no
fault of his. He could revenge him
self 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 yet, why should he care He
knew What he was worth. lie knew
how he had risen by his own exertions
to the position he nov held. When a
little orange pedlar, he had stood by
the street crossings be had many re.
buff. lie had outliyed those days of
harshness; he was respected now
SHOULD he care for strangers rough
ness or taunt? Those who sat near
him, waited curiously to see the end
Presently the conductor came back.
With asteady energy he walked up to
Mr.. Warburton's side. He took his
book from his pocket, the bank bills,
the tickets which he had collected, and
laid them in Mr.. Warburtan's hand.
'I resign my place, SIR"
! The President looked over the ac.
counts for q moment, then motioning