The weekly union record., 1864-03-19
What Came Of an Omnibus Ride.


limbs and slIvery locks, presented himself Ct
the door for admission. The driver shouted
through the sky.iglt. "Room for one more
there, inside" but the gentlemen looked at The
old man and frowned, and the ladies spread ont
their ruffied skirts, for bis bat was shabby and
his coat very threadbare. He saw how it was
aud why there was no r0om," and meekly
turned about to 60 down the steps, when fine
4 looking young man, Who sat next to me, sprang
: to the door. and, seizing him By the arm, said
Take ny place, sir you are quite welcome to
/ it. | am young and hearty It won't weary
me to walk and kindly leading the Old man
+ to the vacant seat, he leaped from the steps
and walked briskiy down the street, while
looked aduiringy after him, saying to myself,
That young man has had good mother"
We drove on. aud, the more | looked at the
old mans silver hairs. and fine, honest face, the
more Indignant l ie!s at the way be had been
/ treated, Whether he read my thoughts in my
countenance, or not. | cannot say; but, after
most Of the passengers had got cut. be moved
up to me and said, Good boy-good bov,
wasn't he? My dear, land here his voice sunk
/ to confidential whiSper,) l have got money
enough to buy out all the upstart people that
filed this omnibus, twenty times over. but /
like this old coat and hat. They are as good
as cTucibe. Help me TO find out the true
metal Good morning, my dear. Thank you
for your pity. just as much as if | needed it,
and the old man pulled the strap. got out Of the
omnibus, and hobbled off down street.
Some time after. l advertised for lodgings.
and was answered By widow lady. | liked
the air of her house, ii was so neat and quiet
and the Towering pots in the window were 4
letter of recommendation 10 me. \ our cold
hearted, icicle people never care for flowers.
But what particularly pleased me at Mrs.
Harris was the devotion of her son 10 his
mother. l expected 10 less, because, the min
ute be opened the door, | saw he was the same
young man who gave up his seat in the
omniHns to the old gentleman.
John did a! the marketing and providing,
as wisely and wei as Il te were seventy, instead
of seventeen. lie wheeled his @olher arm
chair 10 the ple4sautest corner handed aer
the footstool, and newspaper. and spectacies g,
offered her his arm up stairs and down and
spent bis evenings by her side instead of joining
other young men ia racing over the city 10 find
ways to kin time.
1t was beautiful sight in those days. when
beardless boys came stamping and whistliug
into their mothers presence, with their hats
on, and calling her the "od woman
| spent pleasant autumn Under Mrs Harris
quiet roof. And now winter had set in, with
It's nice long evenings John came in to tea,
one night, with his bright face oyercouded.
His mother was at his side in an instant
Johns master had failed, aud ohm was thrown
out Of employment.
Then / learned that it was only by the
sirictest economy aud boarding of every cent
OF Johns small salary, that the rent was paid
and the table provided.
And now. 50 the widow said the house must
be given up. for j ohm might be long while
getting another place; clefkshjps were SO
difficult to obtain; and they must not think
OF running in debt,
1t was such a pity. We were all so comfort
able and happy there, in that cozy little parlor
with its sunny bow window IL Of flowers, and
its bright Lehigh FIRE, and coy cushioned
chairs; that coy parlor. where the little round
table, with its snowy cloth, lad been so often
spread and the fragrant coffee, and delicate
tea biscuit, aud racy newspapers had been SO
often discussed where John, in his slippers
and drcssing-gown, with his dark hair pushed
off his broad forehead, read to Us page after
page Of some fayorie author. while the wind
was welcome to whistle itself dumb outside the
threshold aud old Winter to pile up the snow
at the door till he get tired Of il. IL was hard
John walked Up and down the floor, with bis
hands crossed behind, and Mrs. Harris went
round the room, hunting aftcr her spectacles,
when they were comfortably rcpcsiug on The
bridge Of her foe Roman nose.
y knock 1T the door. \ note for Johu.
Enclosed fud $500. to pay Mr. John Harris
house rent the coming year. y FRIEND"
John rubbed bis eyes, and looked at his
mother his mother looked at me, and l looked
at both Of them aud then we laughed and
cried till we nearly had the Mysteries.
But who was the '.iriend?' That was the
question. We were all born Yankees, and did
our best at guessing" but it didn't help US
Well at any rate, it was very nice, all round.
| hadn't to 1e routed. No, Tor John, nor his
dear old mother. And pussy purred round Us
as if she had as much reason to be glad as any
of Us and the canary tril.ed 50 sharp strain
that we were obliged DO mufile bis cage and his
enthusiasm with Johns red silk pocket hand
kerchiuL
Mrs. Harris and had not got our feminine
tongues still tie next day, when John came
back, in the middle OF the forenoon, with
another riddle TO drive our womauly curiosity
still more distracted. lie was requested 10
call immediateiy-so note he had just received
read-at Mr.. - 4 Cos. and accept the
head clerkship, at salary Of SI.400 4 year
being highly recommended by person. whose
name his new employers declined giving.
That was greater puzzle still. John and
bis Mother had rich relations, TO be sure, but
though they had always been interfering in all
their plans for making living, they never had
been known 10 give them anything except
advice nor to call on them by daylight and
it wasn't at all likely iha. the leopard would
change his spots, At that late day. Ne, it
couldn't be Johns rich relatives. who were
always in such panic lest the uppeT-tendom
should discover that their cousins. the Harrlses
lived in an uafa>hioaable part of the town,
diued At one O'Clock, ard noticed tradespeople
and mechanics.
We were 100 sensible to believe IN fairies
and who the mischief was emptyiug the horn
Of plenty" il that way Il olr feet, was the
question.
When We awoke the next morning, We foand
in the back yard q barrel Of apples, barrel OF
8 D. J.