Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1869-10-28
THE SHABBY OLD WOMAN.
BY MARY NLE DALLAS.

H JOu PiO"SNi JNuhS 6SN"AO
man, do we change cars here =?
Those conductors are so cross to a
body, and I've got to change here
and change there a dozen times
Is this Pine Hollow, and do we
change ?"
"Don't know, said Charlie
Brown lazily. "Ask the conduc-
tor, old lady"
But / heV asked" said the old
woman. "And they are so Cantank-
erous-snap your head eff a most" Z"
"What does she want, Charlie ?"
asked his cousin. Hal Rawley, lean
ing across. perhaps can tell"
BotherP' said Charlie. cold
women are forever fidgeting when
they travel. l make a rule of new
er answering them, or I'd be both
cred out of my senses-I go 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 l
can help you. What did you in
quire ?"
"Whether we changed here, ;"
said the old lady with nod. "Much
obliged to you"
1--WE do change" said Hal.
al wish we didn't" said the old
lady "A body could get along if
they'd let 'em sit sill to their jour
ney's end. It's up stakes the hull
time. Expect to find myself in
Canada or some such out of the
way place yet Stages took ye
where We wanted to go, and any
way the driver was always ready to
talk and tell ye.
"Excuse me, Madam" said Hal,
"where are you gOingY"
"To York." said the old lady.
every we'll" said Hal. "We are
going there also. | will see you
go right and get there safe"
"Very much Obliged" said the
old woman. "You won't forget,
nowP"
"No indeed" said Hal
The old lady looked contented.
You've got yourself in a pretty |
mess" said Charlie, "You are in
for it now, Hal"
"For What ?" 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 in
dilemmas j."
"Young and pretty ones" said
Charlie. Besides, talking of ladies,
observe her bonnet, and listen to
her grammar
"Why should that make any diff
ference in my conduct" asked Hal.
ooh, if you dent know, l can't
tell you," said Charlie. II suppose
you wouldn't see the reason why,
if she was darkey."
Z" Certainly net" said Hal. A
woman, young or old, plain or pref
ty, rich or poor, who needs assist
ance, should always have help from
me-"
"Don Q9fnote," said Charlie
. Catch me tormenting myself un-
less there is something to repay
me for it---a pretty face and d be-
Witching glance, or, at least, the
knowledge that l appear to know
1ne of the upper tendon"
Change hercP" said the con-
luctor.
Charlie arose.
Hal. also started to his feet and
,urued to the old woman.
=" This IS our place, MADAM" ne
Iaid. "Now give me your basket
md shawl. I'll carry them" !
Hal has gone crazy" said Char I
lie to himself "A shabby old wo-
nan, But he always was a queer i
one, always"
Meanwhile Hal. was helping the !
I'D woman down the step, and {
inding her a comfortable seat in !
he next car, !
"You are a very polite young l
man," said the old lady, when the
arrangements were completed. - t
There use to be anumber like you
n my young days, but now the {
most of 'em are like your friend
ronder and that stuck UP conduc- /
or. What house is that yonder u
With q flag on it, It's so stupid, q
his here travelling alone, without Z
Iobody to explain things" /
Hal. Immediately sat down be- d
ide her, and pointed out the vari- A