The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1862-03-27
TT WAS THE KIND WORD THAT
SAVED HIM.
BY r. S. ARTHUR.


ladies, from each of whom he received ;
very cold nod. There was not so much
as a ghost Of smile on any of their
faces; but rather sus,ere reproof. The
new ssenger flushed little ut finding
30 many . rsors in the car with whom he
had some acquaintance, and all disposed
TO let him feel that he must keep at /;
distance. He sat down close beside a
LADY who had recognized him; but she
did not address him single word, aud
rather leaned away frvm than toward
him.
"a pleasant morning." the young man
said TO the lady.
Quite pleasant" She did not do SO
much as turn her head. but drew herself
up with the air Of one who felt the re
mark as an intrusion.
The young man said no more, but sat
very still, with gradually clouding face,
and u very severe. almost desperate ex.
preston passing into his tightly closed
lips.
Conversation, which had been checked
by his entrance, flowed on again. The
gentlemen and the ladies talked cheerful
ly togethrr; but no one addressed re-
mark to The young man, who, it was cvi
dent, had some taint Of bad conduc;
about him. which now erected a barrier
between him and former friends and ac.
qnnintanccs.
The car stopped again, and this time
a lady passenger entered. She nodded
and smiled to most Of those who had
recognized the Young man, and then,
taking n seat beside him "nd offering her
hand, which he took, said, in Il kind, in
ter"s,cd voice,
How do YOU do, Charles%'
The warm blood mounted to tho boys
face-he was only boy, yet, unfortu.
nate'y. with a mau's freedom and self
confd nce-as he answered.,
VERY well, Mrs Elder; thank you. "
His eyes filled suddenly with light. and
his rigid lips parted with smile as soft
and gentle as womau's.
The other passengers, who had "cut'
the yonng man. exchanged surprised aud
qn"-'I"uinG g'ances,
'I"u haven't cal cd to see me for some
time, CharIrs,' y >aid the lady. "ilow i,
this? Old friends must not be wholly Sc,
aside for new ones b"
IL have bepa nc-'cctfu'. and I'n
ashamed of it, Mr.. Elder, WAS replied
and IN n ~ay that showed the young to be
"ratihed by the manner in which the lady
had addressed him !; "and I'm goiLg tc
call very so"n.'
GLOW soon ?'
This week, sometime"
"Why not say this evening"? l slall
be Ut home
"This evening then, il it will be agree
able. Mrs. Eiler.'
''That's right. 1t will be pleasant for
me to see your face again in my house,
Cnarlcs. You mu>n neglect me so again
If am getting to be an old woman |
shall grow j"aIon. Of Your younger and
more attractive friends
"ihcre is no occasion Tor you to be
jealous Of any Of my young friends. Mrs.
Elder, They can never take your place
The youn. m,n said this with evident
feeling; then adding, aS he arose,
"Good morning; | must leave you
here"
And he made a sign for the conductor
to stop the car.
Good morning, Charles,' said the
lady, kindly giving her hand at the san e
time. "And don't forget that am q.
home this evening"
IL shall not forget that, Mrs Elder,
you may DC sure And without even
glancing at the other passengers in the
city railroad car, who had treated him Sc
coldly, he stepped upon the platform, and
thence to the street. As the bell sound
ed for the Car to move on again, lad Y
turned to Mrs. Elder, and SAID, with Il
very grave countenancc,
"Are you aware how badly that young
man has been conducting himself OF late?''
Il have heard some things about him.
was replied, "that cause me great ain -
"Why, he was seen actual y staCgrrin.
in the street no later AAan last week -
said the lady. in virtuous Indignation.
"poor boy Mrs Elder spoke, in a
tone Of deep pity.
"And worse than that. He has been
seen in company with persons Of notori
ously vicious habits The fact is. he i.
going to ruin as fast as his feet can carry
him"
Il hope not,' replied Mrs. Elder
"lle may have gone astray from weakness
poor, motherlcss boy not, | am sure
from any wicked procivi'y. Aud now is
the time to PIT forth a h; nd to save him
instead of pushing him off coldly. Are
all withou: sin-all without some sad
memory Of straying-that VIC visit :
boys first evil ways in such stern, repel!
ing di>pleasure p
"Condnct like his spoke up a gentle
man, "must be met with disappr"ta'iop
II you smile upon him. aud tolerate him
as Of "ld, he will think his sin lie hit one
but if be discovers, at once, that he mus,
lead good life or forfeit the approval and
society Of the virtuous, he will be made
fully aware, at the outset, Of the loss o1
gain involved. I think. 10 speak freely
Mrs. Elder, that you did wrong to meet
him in the free, kind way that you did
and invite him to visit you, as of old y
"Do you think an evening spent with
mo likely to make him worse or better p
asked Mrs Elder
"No worse. certsinly," was answered
"Yet he might spend the evening in
company with those who could not fail te
do him harm"
"Yes."
81 want no other argument in favor O,
what have done. 1t is in the quality
OF social life which surrounds a youno