Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-10-19
Don't Judge from Appearances.

"IIulloa, limpy, the cars will start in a
minute: hurry up, or we shall leave you be-
hind"
The cars were waiting at a station of one
Of our western railroads. The baggage
master was busy with checks The men
were hurrying to and fro with chests, vail
ses, packages and trunks. Men, women and
children were rushing for the cars and has
| tily securing their seats, while the locomo-
tive snorted, blowed and puffed.
a man carelessy dressed, was standing
on the platform of the depot. He was look
ing around him, and seemingly paid but lit
tie attention to what was passing. 1t was
easy to see that he was lame. AT nasty
glance one might easily have supposed that
he was man Of neither wealth nor infu-
ence. The conductor gave him contemp-
tuous look, and slapping him familiarly on
the shoulder, called out:
"Hulloa, limpy; better get aboard, or the
cars will leave you behind"
"Time enough, reckon" replied the in
dividual, and he retained his seeming lstless
position.
The last trunk was tumbled into the bag
gage car "All aboard" cried the conduc-
tor. "Get on, limpy," said he, as he passed
the lame, carelessy dressed man. The lame
man made no reply.
Just as the train was slowly moving away
th5 lame man stepped on to the platform of
the last car, and walking in quietly, took a
seat. The train moved on few miles when
the conductor appeared at the door of the
car where our friend was sitting. Passing
along, he soon discovered the stranger he
had seen at the station.
Hand out your money here
II don't pay" replied the lame man, very
quietly
Don't pay?"
''No, sir"
''Well see about that; l shall put you of
at the next station!n and he seized the valisc
which was on the rack above the head of our
friend.
Better not be SO rough, young man." re-
piled the stranger.
The conductor released the carpet-bag for
a moment, and seeing that he could do no
more then, he passed on to collect the fare
from the other passengers. AS he stopped
at seat few PAGES off, Il gentleman who
had heard the conversation Just mentioned,
looked up at the conductor and asked him:
DO you know to whom you were speak
ing, just now?"
mo, sir"
"That was Peter Warburton, the Presi-
dent Of the road"
"Are you sure of that?" replied the con-
ductor, trying to conceal his agitation.
II know him."
The color rose little to the young mans
face, but with strong effort he controlled
himself and went on collecting his fares as
usual.
Meanwhile Mr. Warburton sat quietly in
his seat--none of those near him could I'M
ravel the expression of his face, nor tell what
would be the next movement in the scene.
And he-of what thought he? He had been
rudely treated; he had been unkindly taunt-
ed with the infrmity, perhaps which had
come through no fault of his. He could tell
the directors the simple truth, and the young
man would be deprived of his place at once
Should he do it?
And yet why should he care? He knew
what he was worth. He knew how he had
risen by his own eXertions TO the position he
now held. When, a little orange peddler, he
stood by the street crossings, and had many
rebuff. He had outlved those days of
hardship; he was respected now. Should
he care for a strangers roughness or taunt?
Those who sat near him waited curously to
see the end
Presently the conductor came back. With
steady energy he walked up to Mr.. War
burton's side He took the books from his
pocket, and the bank bills and tickets which
he had collected, and laid them in Mr.. War
burton's hand.
Il resign my place, sir" he said. The
President looked over the accounts for mo-
ment, and then motioning to the seat beside
him, he said:
"Sit down, sir, would like to talk with
you"
AS the young man sat down, the President
turned to him face in which was no angry
feeling, and spoke to him in an undertone:
"My young friend, | have no revengeful
feelings to CRAFTY in this matter; but you
have been very imprudent. Your manner,
had it been thus to stranger, would have
been very injurious to the interests of the
company, might tell them of this, but |
will not By doing so, should throw you
out of your situation, and you might find it
difficult to get another. But in future re-
member to be polite to all you meet. You
cannot judge of man by the coat he wears,
and even the poorest should be treatel with
ciyility. Take up your books, sir; / shall
tell no one what has passed. Ifyou change
your course, nothing that has happened shall
injure you. Your situation is srill continued
Good morning, sir"
The train of cars swept ON, as many a
train has done before; but within it lesson
had been given and learned, and the purport
of the lesson run somewhat thus-don't
str1rr f.gY