Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1870-07-21
INCIDENT OF TRAVEL

lue next oU miles
MIR. Smith, the young conduc
tor of the Central railway cars
ushered in decrepid, shabby at
tired old man, who leaned wear
lily on his staff and carried heavy
valice in his hand.
The long dimly lighted car wal
full; every seat was occupied
band boxes and carpet-bags were
held in the owners laps and there
was not a chance for accommoda
ton.
A couple of scores of faces lifted
themselves to glance at the ole
mans face as he moved slowly
and painfully down the narrow
aisle. 1t was painfully evident
that he had as much as he coulc
do to support himself, and besides
looking like one that was recover
ing from a serious illness-his
cheeks were thin and pale and hii
eyes lacked the fire which ought
to sparkle beneath those large and
strangely marked brows.
There were many well, active
looking, healthy young men in the
car, but not one of the number felt
disposed to renounce bis soft, com.
Portable seat, to the shabby old
traveller. And after a stare of
undisguised contempt, each and
all dropped their eyes and thought
no more of the suffering old age
before them.
In this enlighted country, il is a
notorious fact that the aged meet
with Sights and incivilities, to say
nothing of positive unkindness,
which would have put the barba.
rous nations of old to shame.
Fitz James Eustace, a young
exquisite, who was escorting his
cousin Isabella Winchester to Ma
hant, drew down his mouth until
the ends of his corper-colored
moustache rested upon the tops of
his well stretched dicky, and re-
marked to the lady by his side:
"Really, Mr.. Smith is insulting
us Why cannot he find a place
for that wretched specimen in the
second-class car 2"
A fluSh-perhaps of anger
mounted to the white forehead of
Miss Winchester. She put out
her hand as if to check the speaker,
and said in a stifled voice:
"Will you give that gentleman
your seat, Fitz James 2"
"My dear Isabel! Why, I would
not evacuate my place by your
side for a kingdom Let the old
fellow stand it out 1t won't DAM
age his appearance, I'll be bound" I"
"Then | will trouble you to rise
a moment; / prefer the other side
of the seat. Allow me to pass.
please"
Fitz James never thought of
disputing the will of his cousin,
so be stood up to let her out. But
instead of taking the seat which
her escort had occupied, the lady
walked on until she reached the
side of the neglected gentleman.
The touch of her hand on his
shoulder drew his attention toward
her.
"Sir, will you have the goodness
to take the seat l have just vaca-
ted? / have ridden since early
this morning, and am really wea-
ried with sitting SO long. Pray
oblige me-"
The old mans face frightened
and he cast a grateful look into
the dark eyes of the handsome
lady.
"But, madam, you must be wea-
ry; / cannot accept it."
She made an impatient gesture ;
Miss Winchester was accustomed
to have her own way.
"No, sir; l am well, young and
strong. / should be ashamed to
sit while a man of your age and
health remained standing"
"Thank you. Your kindness is
we'll timed and not thrown away.
[ venture to tell you I shall &C
cept your offer with gratitude"
So saying the old gentleman
sank into the vacant seat with a
we'll satisfied expression of counte-
nance; but Fitz James expressed
his unbounded contempt for his
by drawing his ample
raglan closely about him, and
shrinking near to the side of the
car. The stranger looked at him
with quiet scorn.
"You need not trouble yourself
70 slip through the window" said
ne, in a voice of irony.
Fitz James was thoroughly dis
5usted. He could not endure
such vulgar propinquity. So he