The Van Buren press., 1866-06-02

The friends that speed in time Of need,
When hopes last reed is shaken
Toshow US still, that come what will,
We are net quite forsaken-
Though all were night If but the light
From friendships altar crowned us
Twould prove the bliss of earth was this;
Our home and friends around US.
- jim. Ward was conductor on the
eastern division of the New York Central
Railroad, running daily between Utica and
Albany Ward had been in the employ
of the Central Railroad for long period
of years, and is one of the Oldest conduc-
tors in the country. Invariably attentive
to ladies, he always managed to make him
self favorite with the fair sex who ac-
companied the train under his direction.
The Buffalo Republic relates the following
anecdote of what happened to Jim, be-
cause he didn't know male from female
baby: u
A short time since, when train, under
his direction, was on its way east from
Utica, one of those interesting incidents
occurred on the train which adds to the
visible number of passengers, but scarcely
ever improve the profits OF the trip. Ward
as soon as he discovered the condition of
the lady, hustled about, and with the train
running about forty miles an hour, fixed
up portion of the express car and had
her conveyed thereto. A physician by the
name of Beecher was on the train his SER
vices were Immediately put in requisition,
and, in short time, Ward had the pleas
ure Of announcing to the anxious passen-
gers that the mother and babe were edo
ing as we'll as could be expected under the
circumstances
The mother was poor woman, and, as
soon as it became known, Ward went round
with hat, and in short time handsome
purse was collected, and Jim, with his
countenance actually filtering off happi-
uess, took it to the mother. After he re-
appeared, the passengers proposed that the
child should be named. No sooner said
than done. Jim went in and got the ba-
by, and with the consent of the delighted
mother, brought it out, when it was pro-
posed that it should be named " James
Ward,' after Jim, and "Beecher,' after
the physician who had professionally at
tended the mother. 1t was adopted with
acclamation amid a general shout Of ap
probation, the babe was named James
Ward Beecher --." Jim, with smile
Of ill-concealed delight, was Juggling off
his little namesake, when some one of the
ladies requested to see the T" little baby"
1t was passed from hand to hand among
the ladies, all admiring the little bundle,
but at the same time general disposition
to smile and stuff handkerchiefs in their
mouths became manifest among the wo-
men.
Jim wondered in vain what this subdu-
ed laughter meant, until the babe was han
ded to an old lady. She had not had it
more than minute, when she exclaim-
ed Law, sus "
"Well, ma'am, what's the matter ?"
said jim, tearfully.
"Why, it's a girl p said the old wo-
man, handing the babe to Jim.
Then rose tumultuous burst of laugh
ter the men broke out, then the women,
then they broke out together. In the midst
of this storm Of laughter, Jim made his
escape from the car, with his female "Jim
Ward Deecher," and for the rest Of the
trip, on the platform of the baggage car.
ruminated on the sudden changes and mu-
tations of life.
,s.-A, worthy woman lost her worthy
husband. In the midst Of her grief she
was anxious that his remains should be
honored according to the proprieties.' ,
She did the best she could with her prem
ises to make the needed room. Before th'
appointed hour for the services, OF the ex
pected friends or relatives arrived, in came
snuffy Mrs. Grundy-on preliminary cal
Of curiosity and inquisition "Laws me !
she exclaimed through her nasal organ, a
she pecrcd about. How nice you d'
look, all fixed up for the funeral--ver.
smart, indeed. Borrowed some cheers
didn't ye? Bless me got new clock
too, since / was here last--thero in tn
corner, han't ye?"
"Oh, no oh no !" .rocked out an,
groaned the disconsolate widow That
h-my--poor-dea Observation-Disclosures. w
had-to--to-stand-h --coffin---up--o
-end-to-make - room enough 10
the company-oh !! oh!'
- An execrable singer gets the righ
pitch only when he is pitched out OF doors