Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-02-01
TALES AND SKETCHES
TOUCHED 10 THE HEART.

had any learning in that direction, Il few
Monday morning visits and rcprmands
! from the board of visitors would soon have
cured me of the failing; but somehow or
other l have found out that railroad men
are made of the same stuff as other men,
and have hearts under their uniform coats.
1t was no business of mine if while was
at the London terminus of the great Divi-
dend and Longsharc Railway, examined
the tickets and unlocked the carriages on
the departure platform-it was no business
of mine if a tall fair girl, in deep mourning,
came twice week regularly, and showed
me her ticket for Westgate return, second
class. But somehow it seemed to be my
business, when ! had unlocked an empty
carriage and handed her in as well as could,
that | should lock that door again without
banging it, and then take care that no one
else went in but lady-like females. Of
course could not hell it, but from the very
day-COld wintcrly day when, thinly dress
ed, she came shivering along the platform, l
seemed to have some strange interest in her !;
and, as the week slipped by, found myself
looking ont for her regularly. 1t was easy
to sec, from the music-roll she carried and
the return ticket, that she went down the
line to give lessons.
l called myself fool, and thought of my
salary as guard and my position in life as
compared with the graceful lady-lke girl
who used to come floating al,ng towards
me every Monday and Wednesday morning,
looking so pale and sad and careworn that
| first began by plying her, and then-wel
never mind now.
One cold December day was shifted for
a week on to the arrival platform, and so
missed seeing her leave; but ! carefully
| tyoi tl,at in I
her get out. Without seeing me, she hur-
ried away. Well, there was nothing to sigh
for there, you'll say ; but did sigh all the
same, and was turning away, when saw the
searching porter with music roll in his
hand, which some one had left in car
rage.
"Hcre / know who that belongs to-"
said snatching il from him and then, see
ing that he was going to make bother
slipped a sixpence into his hand and ran out
of the station.
Just in time / could see her at the bot
tom of the street, and, catching hold OF one
of the boys hanging about for job, point
ed the tall figure out, and told him to fol
low her to where she lived, and come back
and tell me.
And not send the music-rollG No;
meant to take that. l did not know why
but there seemed something pleasant in the
idea of being servant to her, and waiting
ON her; aud kept telling myself so as
walked back to attend to my duty.
Next morning was in quiet, shabby
lodging letting place leading out of Cover
street North, with the music roll in my hand
looking out for No. 81. 1t was easy enough
to find, but something seemed to make M
walk past two or three times before coulc
| 10 rin
at last did, thinking how foolish it was
) when only had to deliver the lost parcel
and come away.
So rang gently, and waited rang again
and waited; and then a red faced woman
came to the door.
You have young lady who teaches mu
} sic-n
second floor 'front.'" she said, snappish
ly. "Why don't you knock twice. BIZ
for the ground floor. There 90 up !"
took off my cap, wiped my shoes, and
feeling ashamed of my uniform for the frs
time in my life, went slowly up to the Sc
cOnd floor, and then stopped for coul'
/ hear piano, and the sweetest voice eve
heard was singing to it in low tone.
stopped listening and drinking in the swee
> sounds with my heart beating heavily, TO
il was a long way up; and should hav
: stopped longer had l not heard some on
coming up the stairs. Then knocked, ant
], a voice cried, "Come In J"
If | turned the handle two or three times
for it was old and worn, and then, entering
stood blushng like great girl, and trem
), bling before the tall pale lady and some on
lying upon a sofa in front of very misera
:, BILE fire.
70 Such bare, chilly room, and so cold AM
- pale both the inmates looked, as stood oil
serving all l could in the first glance.
in "Oh, mamma, the music!' cried the pal
in girl, rising from her seat by the piano, an
=. running towards me; and then, as clum
n silly held it out, saw that was recognized
ID as she thanked me for bringing it, and ais
in for what she called my kindness at the st'
ton.
"Ask him to take glass of wine, Lo'
ise," said the lady on the sofa, when ] sa
| the color flush in her daughters check, 9
. she said, hastily; y,
., 81 think, mamma, We have none In II
house."
, / clumsily protested that l would rath
I'M not take any wine, and was backing towar'
the door, when sudden pain shot throue