The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-02-14
Bell AIden's Travelling Bag.

He'll AIden's TraveI1ng. BAgs
A train bound for st. Louis had JUS
left the depot of Bellefontaine when (
gentleman entered the smoking car, ant
laid his hand upon the shoulder of hi
travelling companion-a tall, handsome
man of thirty, who sat musingly blowing
rings of smoke into the air.
"Marcy,' said the newcomer, "if yor
want to see at once the sweetest and sad
dest sight you ever beheld, 60 into th'
last car but one on the train. There's al
emigrant German woman, with four little
children, and during the afternoon The
youngest, baby, has died. The mother
and the other children are inconsolable.
"I can understand" interrupted tht
smoker, "the sadness of such scene
but where is the sweetness you spoke
off"
"I'm coming to that. The whole party
have been taken in charge by young
lady. Such beauty! She's dried the
mothers tears, and wiped the children''
noses. She's divinity. She only needs
a few feathers on her shoulder blades tC
make full aedged angel Of her. If
was not married man, I'd never leave
her till I'd made Mrs. Angelica Townsend
out of her."
That's a speech which shall faithful
ly report to Mrs Anges Townsend said
the gentleman addressing as Marcy, ris
ing 81 shall go back and feast my eyes
on this beautiful Sister of Charity; and
he added. taking his travelling satchel and
shawl from the rack, las we stop at the
next station, which is due in ten minutes
| may as well take my traps through with
me and join you on the platform"
Thus saying, Richard Marcy threw his
shawl over his shoulder, and sauntered
lesurely through the long train rushing
blindly and calmly to his fate. For, ni
he entered the last car but one he became
a witness and an actor in scene that in.
fuenced his whole future life.
The poor, grief-stricken German, of
whom his companion Doctor Townsend
had spoken, with the dead infant in her
arms, sat silently weeping over the little
cold face.
The three sturdy children, grouped in
childish sorrow about their little dead
brother, was indeed touching spectacle
But, standing beside them was the divin-
lty of Doctor Townsend's admiration, and
she who was most certainly to "sharc the
ends" of the unhappy Richard.
She was tall, slender girl Of eighteen,
with magnificent eyes and hair. AS he
entered the car she was speaking her
lovely face flushed, and the small rosy
mouth, disclosed beautiful set of teeth
turned bewitchingly up towards the tall
stranger at the door.
Ladies and gentlemen" spoke the
sweet voice, "this poor woman, friendless
and penniless, speaking no English, with
four little children, was expecting to find
work in St. Louis to support them. II
everything had gone well with her it
would have been hard for her; but with
her little dead baby and her sorrowfu
heart she is certainly deserving object
of charity; and propose that such as
feel willing to contribute their mite towadi
a little purse for her poor baby. And
she added, with a bewitching smile, "i
any gentleman will lend me hat | will
20 round and take up the collection"
In an instant the gallant Richard pull
ed his travelling cap from his blonde curl'
and offered it to the Angel of Mercy,whc
accepted it with a smile, this time all his
own. and commenced gathering the readi
ly forthcoming dollars, her generous
graceful appeal brought from the purses
of all in the car.
Richard watched the slender figure il
gray, gathering the money; and looking
at the plaid cap in the white joweled fin
gers he bethought him of his donation ant
stepping to the seat the beauty had JUS
occupied he laid his satchel and shawl up
on family of its kind, belonging to the
gray, and took from his pocket ten dolla
bill, which he put in the little hand tina
returned him his cap. Further damag'
the poor fellow received, when a secont
smile and warmly worded thanks for hi
liberal contribution were dealt him from
the beautiful mouth.
Dick was in the midst OF an elaborate
reply, when the cars stopped. He linger
ed yet another moment, seized his satche
and shawl with his eyes still on the fac'
of his charmer, and then, even as the car
were again in motion, he bethought him
self OF the doctor, and hurriedly left thu
car and joined his friend on the platform
"Well," calculated that worthy, 81 be
lieve you'd concluded to go on and bur.
the dead baby, and make the protecting
beauty Mrs. Angelica Marcy. lent sh
a sumner ?"
Townsend" returned his friend ."don'
use slang in speaking of that noble Great
ure." He looked after the train just dis
appearing in the distance. IL wish t
heaven" he continued, "I'd RENAME,
aboard. How stupid | was to leave il
| might have learned her name and resi-
dence. And now"
"Now, in all probability" broke in tn
doctor. "you'll never meet in this vale @
tears. But you'll know her in heavec
if you behave yourself well enough to g
there, by her wings; she'll have the big
gist Of any of 'em, seeing they've CON
menced to sprout on earth"
And thus rallying his thoroughly car
tivated friend, the two made their way
the house of an acquaintance, with whol
they were to remain the night, and 20 o
the next day 10 their destination-S
Louis.
After the first salutations, our hero Wen
to his reom. to remove some Of the ev
dences ofa long ride from New York. II
had removed his coat, vest and collar; h
had splashed and soapsd and washed, ii
his face glowed and his damp curls clun
close to his shapely head, when he made
startling discovery.