The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-02-15
Belle Alden's Travehing-Bag.

gentleman entered the smoking car and
laid his hand upon the shoulder Of MS
travelling companiou-a tall, handsome
man of thirty, who sat musiDgly blow
ing rings of smoke into the air.
"Marcy," said the new comer, "ii
you want to see q: once the sweetest and
saddest sight you ever beheld, 60 iuto
the last car but one on the train
There's an emigrant German woman,
with four little children, and during the
afternoon the youDsest-a baby-has
lied. The mo:ber and the other chill
dran are inconsolable.
81 can understand" interrupted the
smoker, "the saduess OF such a. scene,
but where is the sweetness you spoke
ot2"
am coming to that. The whole
party haze been taken iu charge Of by a
young lady. Such a beauty! She's
dried the mothers tears, and wiped the
childreu's noses. She's divinity! She
only needs few feathers on her should.
er.blades to make full-heged angel o.
her. fl was not married man, I'd
Fever leave her till I'd made Mrs. An
eellca Townsend out of ter.'
That's speech which l shall faith
fully report to Mrs. Agnes Townsend
said the gentleman addressed as Marcy
rising. IL shall 90 back and feast my
eyes on this beautiful Sister Of Charity
and" he added, taking his travelling
satehel and shawl from the rack, "as
we stop at the next station, which !:
due in ten minutes, may as well take
my traps through with me, and jOiL you
on the platform"
Thus saying, Richard Marcy threw
his shawl ever his shoulder, and saun-
tered leisurely through the long train
rushing blindly and calmly to his fate
For, as he entered the last car but ono
be became witness and an actor, in q
scere that Influenced his whole future
life.
The poor, grief stricken German, oi
whom his companion, Doctor Townsend
had spoken, with the dead infant in hel
arms, sat silently weeping over the lit.
tie dead face.
The three sturdy children, grouped
in childish sorrow about their little dead
brother, was indeed touching spec,a-
Gle. Bat, standing beside them, was
the divinity of Doctor Townsend's ad-
miratiou, and she who was most certain.
ly to "sllare the ends of the unhappy
Richard.
She was tall, slender girl of eish-
teen, with magnificent eyes and hair
As he entered the ears she was speak
jus, her lovely face flushed, and the
small, rosy mouth, disclosed beautiful
set of teetl, turned bewitchingly to-
wards the tall stranger at the door.
"Ladics aud gentleman" spoke the
wect voice, "this poor woman, friend
less and pcnniies>, speaking no English,
with four little chillreu, was expecting
TO 6ud work in St. Louis to support
them. If everything had gone we'll
with her it would have been hard for
her; but with her little dead baby and
sorro yiul Leart she is certainly deser
wing object Of charity; and l propose
that such as feel wiling contribute their
mite towards little purse Of her imme
date wants and the burial Of her poor
baby. And" she added with bewllch.
Ing smile, IF any gentleman will lend
E hat l will go round and take up
meollection."
In an instant tbs gallant Richard
pulled his travelling cap frOn his
blonde curls and offered it to the An
gel Of Mercy, who accepted it with a
smile, this lme all his own, and COM
menced gathering the readily forthccm.
ing dollars her generous, graceful appeal
brought from tic purses Of ali in the
car.
Richard watched the slender figure
in gray gathering the money, and look
ing at the plaid cap III the white, jew
clicd fingers, he bcthou.ht him Of his
own donation, aud stepping to the seat
the becauty had just occupied, he laid
his satchel and shawl upon family Of
its kind, belonging to the angel in gray
and took from his pocket ten dollar
bill, which he placed in TIE little hand
that ret,.rncd him his cap. Further
domase the poor fellow received, when
a secoud smile aud warmly worled
.hanks for his liberal contribution were
dealt him from the beautiful mouth
Dick was in the midst Of an elabor-
ate reply, when the ears stopped. lie
fingered yet another moment, seized his
saichel and shawl, with his eyes still on
the face .: his charmer, aud then, even
IS the cars were again in motion, he
bethou.ht himself Of the doc;or. and
hurredy left the car aud joined his
friend Gu the platform.
We'll" cjaca!a ed that worthy, 81
began to believe you'd concluded to 90
and bury the dead baby, and make the
protecting beau'y Mr>. Angelica VI rcy.
Isn't she a stuuucr:"
townsend" returned his friend,
"don't use slang in speaking Of the no.
be creature" He locked after the
train Just Disappearing in the disiance.
IL wish to heaven he continued. I'D
remained aboard low stupid was
to leave it. might have learned her
narne and residence. And now"
Now, in ali probability broke iu
the doctor, "yon'll never meet her III
tl.is r.,ln nr tnars Rni rnn'll know her