National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-11-29
The Shabby Old Woman /.

| ana i've SOJ 10 cnanS6 mere anu
change there dozen times. Isthis
Pine Hollow, and do we changer
sDon't know, said Charley Brown
lazily. ASK the conduc tor, old la
dy.'
But | hev asked said the old
woman. And they are so cantank-
erous-snap your head off almost
what does she want, Charlie p
asked his cousin, Hal. Rawley, lean
ing across. Perhaps can tell
Bother = said Charlie. odd wom-
Ell are forever fidgeting' when they
travel. make a rule of never an
swering them, or I'd be tormented
out of my senses-I 90 around so
much YOU know; and no one ever
entered car yet who did not find
there at least one old woman who
had lost her way
Hal leaned further forward.
Madam he said, perhaps [ C All
help YOU. what did you inquire ?
Whether we changed here, said
the old lady with nod. Much
obliged to YOU
'We do change here said Hal.
srwish we didn't said the old la
DIV. a body could get along if they
let 'em sit still to their journeys
end. It's up stakes the hull time.
Expect to find myself in Canada ,or
some out o the way place yet. Sta
ges took We where ye wanted tn go,
and any way the driver was always
ready to talk and tell ye.'
Excuse me, Madam, said Hal,
where are you gong !
.Tu York said the old lady.
VERY Well said Hal. we are
going there also. will see you go
right and get there safe
Very much obliged, said the old
lady. You won't forget nowF
No, indecd,' said Hal.
you've Got yourself i'll pretty
ness said Charlie. You are III
for it now, Hal
sFor what 2 asked Hal.
Bother with the old girl there
It's no trouble said Hal BE
sides ] have seen you take a great
deal of pains TO attend to ladies i'll
dilemmaS.'
sNonng and pretty ones said
Charlie. Besides, talking OF ladies,
observe her bonnet, and listen to
her grammar 49,.
why should that make any dlf-
ference III my conduct ? asked Hal.
oh. if YOU don't know, can't tell
Won. said Charlie. Il suppose you
wouldn't see the reason why II she
was d darkey.'
Certainly not said Hal. ~ WON
an. Young or old, plain or pretty,
rich or poor, who needs assistance,
should always have help from me-
.Don Quirote,' said Charlie. Catch
me tormenting myself unless there
is something to repay me for it-a
nrettv face and a bcwitching smile,
or. at least, IL knowledge that ap
pear to know ole of the upper ten
dom
Change Lcrer said the conduct
or.
Charlie arose.
Hal also started to his feet anc
turned to the old woman.
This is our place, Madam he said
Now give me your basket ant
shawl. I'll carry them
IIal has gone crazy said Charh'
to himself. "A shabby old woman
But he always was queer one, al
ways. 81,
Meanwhile Hal was helping the
! old woman down the step. and find
inc her comfortable seat in tn
next car.
sYouare very polite young man,
said the old lady, when the arrange
r. ments were completed. There use
TO bc Il number like you in my youn
days, but now the hcft of 'em NJ
like Your friend yonder and tha
stuck up conductor. What hous
is that yonder with the flag on /
It's so stupid this here travelln
alone, with nobody to explain thing
Hal Immediately sat down besid
her, and pointed out the variou
objects of interest on the road. Il
old woman was very plainly dres
nc ed, very countryfed, and q lit
prosy; but Hal had a good hear
- and felt it, after all, a pleasure
make her enjoy herself
Is When changes were made, he c
=. corted her, basket, and bundle, al
T., To- umbrella and all, never caring Il
Charlie's sneers, nor wonderiI
whether people would fancy the lac
'c and himself related. Az cue pla'
he got out and brought he u gla
of root beer and some crullris, tho
- refreshments being what sne dcs
- ed. and, when at last the cars arri
cd in New York, she shook hanC
with him, and declared loudly, th
he was 'thc incest young fellow 81
had seen since she was % gal.
Il wonldn't have been you for
kingdom,' said Charlie when Il
friend rcioind him. what goo
you are'
They sauntcrcd OH tor block
two. Their trip had been OF br
duration, and they were not inco
moded by baggage, when sudden
,,c. ,,. a voice, shrill and sharp, cried
at their ears:
,no 1n, Il say, young men can't you
,,nu ,,. ,y,ioi, Ia proo,wnyr They y.
by | was to take the broadway sta