The Ottawa free trader., 1869-02-20
@iacelIanp.
AN INCIDENT or 1RAvHx.


his staf, and carried heavy velaee IN oee q h1a
haada is l
ssst vas occupied band boxes and carpet bags
vere held IN their owners laps, and there was
not single chance for the new ooner to be &C.
csnmodsssd.
A oouple Of score Of faces lifted theasslves I'd
elance st the old mans face, - he moved slewly
and painfully down the marrow aisls. IL was
plainly evident that he had as much - he could
De to support himself, and besides, he looked like
one that was Just recovering frem . severe ill
xess--his cheek was thin and pale, and his eyes
lacked the Are which ought T. sparkle beneath
thsse large and strongly marked brows
There were many we'll, active looking, healthy
voupR men in the car, but none of tie au0ber felt
dipposed 70 renounce his soft, coafortsbe seat u
the shabby old traveller. And after stare Of
uAdiagaised contempt each and al dropped their
eyes and thought no more Of the suffering old
age before them. II
In this enlightened century. it is . notorious
faot, that the aged meet with Sights and inciv.
ilties, 70 say nothing of positive unkindAess,
which would have put the barbarous nations OF
old 70 shame.
Fix James Eustace, young exquisite, who
was eseorting his cousin, Isabel Winohester, to
Nahant drew down his mouth uAtii the ends OF
his copper colored mousrache restsd upon the
tips of his well starched dicksy, and remarked
to the lady by his side
'Really, Mr. Smith is insulting us! Why cam
not he find place for that wretched specimen in
the second class car =
A flush perhaps Of pride-perhars Of anger
mounted to the white forhead of Miss Wiachest-
er. She put uo her hand "a though to check the
speaker, and said in subdued voice,
'Fitz james, will you give that gentleman
your seat ~
sMy dear Isabel Why ! would not evaouate
my place by your side for kingdom Let the
old fellow stand it out! 1t won't change his APP
pearance, I'll be bound"
"Thep l will trouble you to rise moment
prefer the other side of the seat; allow me to
pass, If you please"
Fitz James never thought of disputing the will
of his imperious cousin, and he stood up to let
her go out.-But instead of taking the seat which
her escort had occupied, the lady wnlked straight
on, until she had reached the side of the neg
lected cid gentleman The touch of her hand on
his arm drew his attention towards her.
'Sir, will you have the goodness to take the
seat which have vacated have ridden since
early this morning, and am really weared with
sitting so long pray oblige me-
The old mans face frightened, and he cast q
grateful look into the dark eyes of the handsome
lady.
'But, madam, you must be weary cannot 40
eept it."
She made an impatient gesture. Miss Win
way.
'No, sir; I am well, young and strong
shoHld be ashamed to sit while q man of your
age and health remained standing
'Thank you Your kindness Is we'll timed and
not thrown away, venture to tell you. shall
accept your offer with gratitude
SO sayinc. tho old gentleman sank into the Va.
can't seat, with we'll satisfied expression Of
countonance; but Fit James expressed his un-
bounded contempt for his neighb0r, by drawing
his ample raglan closely around him, and shrink
ing nearer to the side of the car. The stranger
looked at him with quiet
''You need not trouble yourself to slip through
the window, young man." said he in voice Of
irony.
Fitz James was thoroughly disgusted he
could not endure such vulgar association. So he
arose quickly, striding over his companion, made
his way into the smoking car.
Miss Winchester's sacrifice had been witne
ed by all in the carriage, and dozen seats wore
offered her by dozen polite and oficious
young gentlemen, but she declined them all by
motion of the head, and stood leaning against
the side of the vehicle. m
The train few onward-the old gentleman
meanwhile disposing himself for comfortable
nap which he was shortly enjoying.
Some time before midnight the lights of Bos-
ton CLEANED through the darkness another mo-
mep-, and the train Numbered into the depot.
O.r old gentleman arose, shook himself, grasp
ed 10 valse, and came over to The side of Miss
Winchester. tf A
"Madam," he said, "you have made an old and
feeble mans journey tolersble: will you not tell
him your name and place of abode ?"
She smiled, waved all thanks, and gave him
her card. He bowed and left her, just as Fitx
James appeared to escort her from the cars but
getting through the crowd was no easy matter,
for the fuss and hustle were unusual, and Isabel
noticed that several uniformed companies filled
The space in frent Of the depot
Cries of "Hurrxh for General SuthertOnw
"Three cheers for the herslof Mexico r rent
the air banners were trailed out on the fresh
night breeze; hambeaux flashed, drums beat, and
. long line of carriages filed slowly up the
street
Fitz james Inquired the occasion Of all this
tumHl., and learned that it was psblic welcome
extended by the citizens of Boason to General
Sutherton, q gentleman and veteran oficer, who
had distinguished himself in tho late Mexican
war.
'He came in this train" said bystander "Is
it possible, sir that you did not discover him p
sckly looking old man, dressed in threadbart
gray and carrying large black valise-hc has
Just recovered from severe attack of rhumatit
fever, which has troubled him ever einoe his last
campaign. Those vile Mexican night valors
and sleeping the cold ground, undermined
his constitution, but he is fino old fellow vet
Miss Winchester thought he must he she hat
heard muc' of mis- ga lant d,rrg, but Fitz jaime,
vns the picic silent ,nortifcation
Miss Winchester and ,er cousin stopyed al
the American House, and early tho next morn
ing befure the lady finished dress;uu ,