Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-06-10
A STEAMBOAT INCIDENT.


ence IN trip from his own comfortable
parsonage" to New York city, refreshes his
readers with the following exhibition of
practical Christianity which came under his
observation
My journey to Boston was as monoton-
ons as possible, and the two hours deten,
ton there was not particularly exhilara-
ing. There was no time to visit places Of
interest, and l felt too misanthropic and
gloomy for social intercourse, although
other gentlemen were waiting like my
sell: More than once / nearly determ-
lned to go home on the return train, but
was ashamed to do that after Mary's self
sacrifice. We were halfway to StoniDgtOn
before began 10 rouse up and look about
me. l was awakened by the cries of a
Guild, and l saw that the seat in front of
me vas occupied by young woman,
plainly, but deeently dressed, but with an
expression OF anxiety upon her face that
instantly attracted me. She had a baby
In her arms, and another just big enough
to walk, on the seat by her. He was a.
rlght IN le slsevs wifhsereat, silas.,ipg
black eyes, and thick coils of chestnut
curls clustering all over his head but he
did not seem to be WELL and fretted contin.
uaily for the soothing attention that he saw
bestowed upon the more helpless babe in
his mothers arms. There were several
bundles and carpet bag piled one above
another on the seat next to the window,
and the little boy, 10 bis restlessneSs, often
Displaced them, and they came rolling
down upon the hoor. | would like to zee
the man who would not have succumbed
and hauled down his flag before such a
complication of uiseries.
The young mother bore up bravely.-
While hushlng the baby and lulling it with
sweet lullaby to temporary quiet, she
ccntriVed also to coax the little boys curly
head to pillow on her knee, ard thus
doubly burdened, found means to divert
his attention with cheap picture book.
But the weather outside grew dark and
unpleasant. Thick clouds were 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 OMNIBUS
signs that foretold stormy night upon the
Sound. There was a quick, tremulous
motion on her lip at times, as if she were
representing the inclination to have a
hearty cry" over her troubles.
l had just thought of what should have
III
was possible for me to relieve her of a part
OF her burden, and was trying TO drive my
self out Of my selfish isolation by calling up
all the good Samaritan thoughts that
had ever used in my sermons on practical
beneVolence, when accession Of passengers
at way station obliged me 10 resign my
seat to lady, who actually thanked me for
the civility.
Left again to myself, leaning against the
door of the car, l resumed the thread of
contemplation that had of late become ha-
bitual, and was soon lost in the old, weary
labyrinth of coniectures in regard to the
state of my parish, its spiritual deadness,
and the measures TO be used to awaken any
interest in religious things. l grew more
and more sad and Responding as | medita>
ted and my c)GitationS were as fruitless as
ever. 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 before getting out,
saw her oking about her in evident per
plexity. The heavy rain was already
pouring down, aud the darkness outside
was not very attractive even to unencum-
bere1 travellers.
am a-hamed to own that did not offer
my assistance. Mary says that she will
never believe it-that it is impossible for
human nature to be SO boorish, but the hu
initiating truth must be told. NV own
wretchedness and my sense of utter use
lessness IL my profession made me almost
| Indifferent for the time to claims of human
! ity. Still | was sensible of feeling Of
surprise which gradually became lndigna
/ ton, as | saw one lady after another IN,
concerned pass by, and other gentlemen as
/ heariless as myself, ignoring her silent an.
! peal to our sympathy. The car was emp
| tied a last, though | still stood at the door
! hoping to see another do the Christian dut,
| that was so reluctant to perform. coulC
not leave her to h9r fate rs the rest haC
done.
just then some one entered the door a
the other end, and saw the young woman
look eagerly around. She had again faiieC
in the effort to arrange battles and bundles
for transportation to the boat. The new
conner Was a stout looking, elderly man
plain and almost shabby dressed, with
great shock of red hair nearly lifting hi
hat off his head, and a round fat face deep
ly marked with smallpox. lie YVES whis,
ling lively air, which seemed to breathe
whimsical sort of defiance to the discom
forts of the bleak, dark night, but he stop
ped at cnce when he saw the hel pies
group before him.
Gong aboard, ma am"
Eyes, sir as soon as | can"
"Good; so am ]. Let me carry thi
youngster for you. I've got one home jus
his size. Jehosophat how nat'ral i
seems % said the man. as be lifted the DO,
up to his shoulder. The child stopped cry
ing and laughed gleefully. "And thos
bundles; are they yours, Ma'am."
yes, sir. Thank you, can carry thos
very we'll. l can indeed"
THAT depends" He had already gath
cred them in his arms aud wrapped he
thin shawl more closely around the baby
Now we're ready. Keep close behind m
ma'am. 1t is a few steps.
AS they passed me in the door SCENE,
to awake from a horrid dream. My anxi
ETY. and morbid melancholy vanished.
suppose they could not stay in the atmos
phere of that mans blunt cordial kindness
envied him the luxury in doing what
ought to have done. After all, | said t
myself, there is real good in the world
real Christian charity, living piety, and &C
tive benOvolence. | followed elise at th
mans heels. We we're jostled little a
We pressed through the throng, but wer
soon safely en- board, just in time to avoi
being left behind.
"IIere we are. A nice ride you've ha
my little man"
There was something absolutely inspir
ing in that rough mans voice.
Now ma'am. III Just take you, bag an
baggage, down to the LADIES' cabin, for
rains as if it meant to free its mind. 1o
had better get those damp things off a
soon as you can. Come, it is but ste
further"
She hesitased.
mo, sir, thank you. You have bee
very kind, bat my ticket is only for dec
passage. and have no money. II sho'
not have attempted such journey, si'
without more means, but l have jus, hear
from my husband, who is returning iroI
California and is sick in New York. III