The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-05-28

And joy throughout the land resound
That stern oppression's found grave
And homew ard turn 10 hearts e'er true
We braves Of ls-S2.
-------------
A Steamboat Incident.
A clergyman, giving in the Ladies Repository
an account OF POme Of his experience in . trip
from his own comfortable parsonage" to New
York city, refreshes his readers with the follow.
ing exhibition of practical Christianity which
came under his observation:
My journey to Boston was as mouotsnous -
possible, and the two hours detention there was
not particularly exhilarating. There was no
time to visit places Of interest. and felt too mis-
aEtbrOpic and gloomy for social intercourse, al.
though other gentlemen were waiting like nv.
self. More than once l nearly determined to 70
home in the return train, but Was ashamed to
DO Inar alter Marys generous seIi-sa.i -. -
we're halt way to StoningtOn before l began 10
rouse up and look about me. l was awakened
by the cries Of child, and / saw that the seat
in front Of me WAS occupied by young woman,
plainly, but decently dressed, but with an ex-
presslon Of anxiety upon her face that instantly
attracted me. She had baby in her arms, and
another just big enough to walk, on the seat by
her. He was . bright little fellow, with great,
flashing black eyes, and thick coils Of chestnut
curIs clustering all over his head but be did not
seem to be well, and fretted continually for the
soothing attention that he saw bestowed upon
the more helpless babe in his mothers arma
There we're several bundles and a carpet bag
piled one above another On the seat next to the
window. and the little boy, in his restlessness,
often displaced them, and they came relling
Down npOn the Aoor. l would like to see the
man who would not have suecSmbed and haul
ed down his flag before such . complication Of
missries
The young mother bore up bravely. While
hushng the baby and lulling it with sweet lul-
so.1 @ the little boys curly neaa "H 70 p,lox low on
her knee, and thus doubly burdened, found
means to divert his attention with cheap picture
| book.
| But the weather outside grew dark and un-
pleasant. Thick clouds we're closely gathering
their forces, and The wall OF the wind was often
heard above the noise of the engine. The anx-
ious expression of the mothers face deepened as
she watched the ominous sighs that foretold q
stormy night upon the Sound. There was a
quick, tremulous motion OF her lip at times. as
if she were representing the inclination to have
a"hearty cry" over her troubles.
| had just thought of what should have occur
red to me long time before, that it was posi-
BILE for me to relieve her Of part of her burden,
and was trying to drive myself out of my selfish
isolation by calling up all the good Samaritan
thoughts that had ever used in my sermons
on practical benevolence, when an accession OF
passengers at way station obliged me to resign
my seat to lady, who actually thanked me for
the civility.
Left again to myself leaning against the door
Of the car, resumed the thread of contempla.
ton that had of late become habitual, and wa
soon lost in the old, weary labyrinth, Of conjec
lures in regard to the state Of my parish, it,
spiritual dsadness, and the measures to he used
to awaken any interest in religious things.
grew more and more sad and depending as
meditated, and my eogiations We're % fruitlesl
a ever. l did not again think of the babies and
their mother till We were about leaving the carl
At StoniDgton. Happening then to glance dowr
the car before getting out, I saw her looking
about her in evident perplexity. The heavy
rain was already pouring down, and the darkues
) Outside was not very attractive even to unsn
numbered travellers.
am astonished to own that did not offer N,
assistance. Mary says she will never believe i
that it 10 impossible for huRan nature to b.
20 boorsh, but the humiliating truth must be told
. Ny swn wretehedness and my sense of utter use
lessness in my profession made me almost indil
: ferent for the tine to claims Of humanity. Still
was sensible Of feeling of surprise, vhicl
gradually became indignation, a I saw one lad
after another unconcerned pass BY, and othe
gentlemen % heartless a. myself, ignoring he
silent appeal to our sympathy. The car Va
= emrtsd st '.-t. though still stood in .he doo'
vas 90 reluctant to perform. could not leav
:, her to her fate ~ the rest had done.
just then some one entered the door At th
other end, and saw the young woman look e'
!, gerly around. She lad again failed in the effor
IL to arrange babies and bundles for trsneportatio
to the bost. The new conner Vas . stout lool
ing, elderly nan, plain and almeet shabbily dres
,. ed, with great sheck of red hair nearly liftn
y his hat Of bis head, and round fat face deep
" marked With small pox. He was whistling
u lively air, which seemed to breathe vhimeic
= sort Of defiance to the disconferts Of the blea
'e dark night. but he stopped At once when he -
ss the helpless group before him.
"Going abroad, ma'ams'
"Yes, sir, as soon as can"
GOOD 90 am l. Let me carry this youn
le I ster for you. I've got one home just his siz
~ Jshesophat! how nas'ral it seems!" said Il
ne man, as be lifted the boy up to his shoulds
e = The child stopped crying and laughed gleeful'
" " "And those bundles, are they yours, ma'sm
W "Yes. cir. Thank yes, can carry tho
p very we'll can, indeed"
ie "Thas depends" He had already gather
90 = them in his arms ard wrapped her thin sha
= more closely around the baby. "Now We
CO ready. Keep close Sehind ne, ma'an. Ii i
few sseps."
AZ they passed me in the door seemed
as awake frem horrid dream. Ny anxiety a
"s morbid melancholy vanished. suppose th
,a' sa' could not stay in the atmosphere Of that na
oe blunt cordial kindness. envied him the ID
'es ury in dsing vhas ought 70 have dsne. At
ne ali, said to myeen, there is . real good in ,
uorld-real Christian charity, living piety. q
active besevolence. followed close at
an man's heels. We were jestled . litde -
70. pressed through the throog, but we're y
'ua safely oa board jast in tine - avoid being
behind.
"Hers vs are. A nice ride you've had
irg little man" There vas something absolut
TEE inspiring in that rosgh mans voice. IN
insan, n jsa tahs yss, Bag and hagga