Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1869-10-16
An Incident of Travel.

"All full, sir! Sorry! But I CUES.
you'll manage to stand the next fifty
miles"
Mr.. Smith, the spruce young conductor
on the Central Railroad cars, ushered il
a decrepit, shabby-looking old man, who
leaned YEARLY OH his staff, and carried a
heavy valise in his hand.
The long, dimly-lighted car was full
every seat was occupied band-boxes and
carpet-bags were held in the owners laps
and there was not chance for the new.
conner to he accommodated.
A coul lie of score of faces lifted them.
selves to glance at the old mans face as
he moved slowly and painfully down the
narrow aisle. 1t was painfully evident
that he had as much as he could do to
support himself, and, besides, he looked
like one that was just recoving from a
severe ilness-his checks were thin and
pale, and his eyes lacked the fire which
ought to sparkle beneath those large and
strongly-marked brows.
There were many well, active looking,
healthy young men in the car but not
one OF the number felt disposed to re-
nounce his soft, comfortable seat to the
shabby old traveller. And, after a stare
of undisguised contempt, each and all
dropped their eyes and thought no moro
Of the suffering old age before them.
In this enlightened century it is a noto-
rlous fact that the aged meet with Sights
and incivilities, to say nothing of posi-
tive unkindnesS, which would have put
the bar6arous nations of old to shame.
Fitz-James Eustace, a young exquisite
who was escorting his cousin, isabella
Winchester, to Nahant, drew down his
mouth until the ends of his copper-col-
ored mustache rested upon the tips of
his well-starched dickey, and remarked
to the lady by his side:
"Rcally, Mr.. Smith is insulting us!
Why can not he find a place for that
wretched specimen in the sccond-class
carp"
A fiush-perhaps of pride, perhaps of
lnger-mounted to the white forehead
)t Miss Winchester. She put out her
hand as if to check the speaker, and said
N stitied voice:
"Will you give that gentleman your
seat, Fitz-James ?" -..
"My dear Isabel! Why, would not
Iacatc my place by your side for king
lon! Let tho old fellow stand it out
It won't damage his appearance, I'll be
pound"
"Then l will trouble you to rise mo-
nent; prefer the other side of the seat;
allow me to pass, please"
Fitz-James never thought of disputing
he will OF his cousin. SO he stood up to
ct her out. But, instead of taking the
seat which her escort had occupied, the
ady walked on until she reached the
'ide of the neglected gentleman. The
ouch of her hand on his shoulder drew
lis attention toward her.
"Sir, will you have the goodness to
axe the seat which have vacated? |
nave ridden since early this morning, and
I'm really wearied with sitting SO long.
Pray oblige me-"
The Old mans face frightened, and he
'ast a grateful look into the dark eyes of
he handsome lady.
"But, madam, you must be weary; l
IAN not accept it,"
She made an impatient gesture. Miss
w lncnesIef was accustomed TO have her
)wn way.
"No, sir; I am we'll, young and strong.
should be ashamed TO sit while a man
If your age and health remained stand,
ng."
''rhank you! Your kindness is well
lined, and not thrown away. | venture
% tell you l shall accept your offer with
gratitude"
So saying, the old gentleman sank into
he vacant seat, with well-satisfied ex-
preston of countenance; but Fitz-J James
his unbounded contempt for
lis neighbor by drawing his ample rag
an closely around him, and shrinking
learsr to the Bide of the car. The |
tranger looked at him with quiet scorn.
"You need not trouble yourself to slip |
trough the window" said he, in voice
# irony.