The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1862-06-21

and sinus d0ubly burdened, found means
to divert his attention with cheap pic
ture book.
But the weather outside grew dark and
unpleasant. Thick clouds were slowly
gathering their forces, and the wall Of the
wind was often heard above the noise of
the engine. The anxious expression Of
the mothers face deepened as she watched
the ominous sounds that foretold stormy
night upon the Sound. There was a
qnick, tremulous motion of her lip at
times, as if she were REFRESHING the incli-
nation to have "hearty cry over her
troubles.
| had just thought of what should have
occurred to me long time before, that it
was possible for me to relieve her Of part
of her burden, and was trying to drive
myself out of my selfish isolation, by call
ling up all the good Samaritan thoughts I
had ever used in my sermons on practical
benevolence, when an accession of passen-
gers at way station obliged me to resign
my seat to lady, who actually thanked
me for my civility.
Left again to myself, leaning against
the door of the car, I resumed the thread
of gloomy contemplation that had Of late
become habitual, and was soon lost in the
old, weary labyrinth Of conjectures in re-
gard to the state of my parish, its spiritu-
al deadness, and the measures to be used
to awaken any interest in religious things.
grew more and more sad and responding
las I meditated, and my cogitations were
as fruitless as ever. I did not again think
of the babies and their mother till we were
about leaving the cars at Stonington.
Happening then to glance down the car
getting out, I saw her looking about her
in evident perplexity. The heavy rain
was already pouring down, and the dark
ness outside was not very attractive, even
t. unencurnbered travellers.
| I am ashamed to own that I did not
offer my assistance. Mary says she will
never believe it-that it is impossible for
human nature to be so bearish-but the
humiliating truth must be told. My own
wretchedness and my sense of utter USE
lessness in my profession, made me al
most Indifferent at the time to the claims
Of humanity. Still I was sensible Of a
feeling of surprise, which gradually be-
came indignation, as saw one lady after
another anconcerned pass by, and other
gentlemen as heartless as myself ignoring
her silent appeal to our sympathy. The
car was emptied at last, though I still
stood in the door, hoping to see another
do the Christian duty that I was so reluc-
tant to perform. l could not leave her to
her fate as the rest had done.
Just then some one entered the door at
the end, and saw the young woman look
eagerly round. She had again failed in
her efforts to arrange babies and bundles
for transportation to the boat. The new
conner was stout looking, elderly man,
plain and almost shabbily dressed, with a
great shock of red hair nearly lifting his
hat off his head, and round, fat face,
deeply marked with smallpox. He was
whistlng lively air, which seemed to
breathe q whimsical sort Of defiance to the
discomforts Of the black night, bat he
stopped at once when he saw the helpless
group before him.
"Going abroad, ma'am ~
| eyes, sir, as soon as ] cam
"Good, so am I. Let me carry this
youngster for you. I've got one at home
lust his size. Jehoshaphat! how nat raj
it seems" said the man, as be lifted the
boy to his shoulder. The child stopped
crying and laughed gleefnlIy. ssAnd
those bundles, are they yours, ma'am p
Yes, sir. Thank you, I can carry
those very well. I can, indeed"
eThat depends" He had already gath
erred them il his arms, and wrapped her
thin shawl more closely around the baby.
l.Now we're ready. Keep close behind
me, ma'am. II is but a few steps,
AS they passed me in the door seem-
!, ed to awake from horrid dream. MY
anxiety and morbid melancholy vanished.
4 i suppose that they could not stay in the
atmosphere Of that mans blunt, cordial
4 kindness. / enyied him the luxury of
doing what | ought to have done After
all, said to myself, there is real good ia
the world--rea Christian charity, loving
4 piety and active benevolence. 1 followed
close at the mans heels. We were jostled
i little as we pressed through The throng,
but we're ssoll ssfely on board, Just 10
!. time 10 avoid being left behind.
Here we are, IA nice ride you've
had, my little man" There was some,
thing absolutely inspiring il that rough