The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-06-10
A steamboat Incident.

HCCUuut !
trip from bis own comfortable parsonage
to New York city, refreshes bis re esders wit
the following exhibition Of practical Christian
ity which came under his observation:
Ny journey to Boston was as mouotonou
as possible, and the two hours detention thsr
was not particularly exhilarating. There wa
no time to visit places Of interest, and | fel
too misauthrooic and gloomy for social inter
course, although other gentlemen were wait
ing like myself. More than once nearly dc
termined to 60 home in the return ira n, bu
was ashamed TO do that after Mary's gen ~
ous self sacrifice. We were half way 10 Ston
iHgton before l began to rouse up and lool
about me. was awakened by the cries Of !
child, and saw that the seat in front of m
was occupied by young woman, plainly, bu
decently dressed, but with an expression o
anxiety upon her face that instantly attracted
me. She had a baby in her arms. an anoth
er just big enough to walk, on the seat BY
re. He was /. bright title fellow, with great
flashing lack eyes, and thick coils Of chest
nut curls clustering all over his head; but h,
did not seem to be well, and fretted ccntinI
ally for the soothing attention that he saw be
stowrd upon the more helpless babe in his
mothers arms. There were several bundles
and a carpet-bag piled ono above another on
the scat next TO the window, and tie little
boy, in bis reslessness, often displaced them
and they came rolling down upon the floor
/ would like to see tho man who would not
hare succumbed aud hauled down his flag be-
fore such complication Of miseries.
The young mother bore up brsvely. While
hushing the baby and lulling it with sweet
lullaby to temporary quiet, she contri ed also
to coax the little bays curly head to a pillow
on her knee, and thus boubly burdened, found
means to divert his attention with cheap
picture book.
But the weather outside grew dark and un
pleasant. Thick clonds were closely gather
ing 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 sighs
that foretold a stormy night upon the Sound.
There was quick tremulous motion Of h'r
lip at TIRES, as if she were representing The
iuclsna,ion 10 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 ~ss trying to drive myself out Of
my selfish isolation by calling up all tho good
Samaritan thoughts that | had ever used in
my sermons or pr ctical benevolence, when
an accession Of passengers at a way station
obliged ne 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 con
1.ss1 tt.s LII r 1t. Ii.
and was soon lost in The old, weary labyrinth,
Of co lectures in regard 10 the state of my
parish, its spiritual deadness, and m assures to
be used 10 awaken any interest in religious
things. grew more and more sad and de
spending as meditated, and my cog iations
were rs iruitlcss as ever. did not again
think Of the babies and their mother I'LL we
were about leaving the cars at Stonington.-
Happening then to glance down the car be-
'ore getting ont, saw her looking about her
in evident peiplexity. The heavy rain was
already pouring down, and the darkness out
side was not very attractive even 10 uncncum.
bcred travellers.
am astonshed to own that l did not offer
my assistance. Mary says she will never be.
lieye it-that it is impossible for human ma
ture 10 be so loorisb, but the humiliating
truth must be told. Ny own wretchedness
and my sense Of utter uselessness 10 my pro-
fession made me almost Indifferent for the
time to claims Of humanity. Still was sen
sible Of feeling of surprise, which gradually
became Indignation, as saw one lady sfte or
another unconcerned pass by, and o:ber gen
tlemen as heartless as myself, ignoring her ST.
lent appeal TO our sympathy. The car WAS
emptied at last, though | still stood in the
door, hoping to see another do the Christian
duty that | was so reluctant To perform. |
could not leave her 10 her fate as the rest had
done.
Just then some one entered the door at the
other end, and saw the young woman look
eagerly around. She had again failed in the
efforts to arrange babies and bundles for trans.
portation to the boat. Tho new conner was
stout looking, elderly man, plain and almost
sbabbily dressed, with great stock Of 'ea
hair nearly lifting his hat off his head, and a
round fat face deeply marked with small pox.
He was whistling lively air. which seemed
to breathe whimsical sort Of defiance to the
discomforts Of the bleak, dark night, but he
stopped at once when he saw the helpless
group before him.
"Going abroad, ma'ami"
ayes, sir, as soon as can
"Good so am I. Let me carry this young.
stcr for you. I've got one home just his size
Jehosopbatl how nat'ral it seems!" said the
man. as he lifted the boy up to his sholder'.
The child stopped crying and laughed glee
fully. "And those bundles, are they yours
ma'amp
AYES, sir. Thank you. can carry those
very well. ] can. indeed"
"Tbat depends" He had already gather.
cd them in bis arms, anl wrapped her thin
shawl more closely around the baby. /" Now
we're ready. Keep close behind me, ma'am
il IS a few steps"
As they passed me in the door seemed to
awake from borrid dream. Ny anxiety and
morbid melancholy vanished. Isuppose they
could not stay in the atmosphere Of tina,
mans blunt, cordial kindness. / envied him
the luxury in doing what ought to bav,
Aooe, After all, said TO myself, there is :
real good in the word-real Christian CHAR
ty, living petty, and active beucvolence.
followed close at the mans heel. We were
jostled little as we pressed through The
throng, but we're soon safely on board just il
lima 20 avoid haincv laf, kahind