National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-05-26
BELLE ALDEN'S TRAVELLING BAG.

y tram DOunu LOT 81. LOUIS had Just lei
the depot Of Bellefontaine, when gentle
man entered the smoking-ca and laid hi
land upon the shoulder of his travelin
companion-a tall, handsome man Of thr
~, who sat musingly blowing rings O
smoke into the air.
Marcy" said the new conner, .'if yo,
waIt to see at once the sweetest and sad
dcst sight you ever beheld, 90 into the las
car but one on the train. There's an emi
grant German woman with four children
and during the afternoon the youngest,
baby, has died. The mother and tie 9th
cr children are inconsolable.n
II can understand" interrupted the
smoker, "the sadness OF such scene, but
where is the sweetness you spoke of
Pm coming TO that. The whole party
hay. beel taken in charge by a young Ia
dy Such beauty She dried the moth
er's tears and wiped the childrens noses.
She's divinity She only needs . few
feathers on her shoulder blades to make a
flIl-Aedged angel of her. II was not q
married. man. Pd never leave her till I'd
made Mrs. Angelica Townsend of her"
That's speech which | shall faithfully
rport to MIS- Agnes Townsend" said the
-eatlcman addressed as Marcy, rising. 81
'ol go back and feast my eyes on this
toautiCul Sister Of Charity and" he add
en- taking his travelling satch.l and shawl
from the rack, ''as We stop at the next sta
tion, which IS due in ten minutes, may
a, 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
lei,urcly through the long train-rushing
biindy and calmly to his fate. For, as he
entered the last car but one, be became a
witness and an actor in a scene that infu-
enced his whole future life.
The poor, grief-stricken German, OF
whom bis companion, DIR. Townsend, had
spoken, with the dead infant in her arms,
sat silently weeping over the little dead
face
The three sturdy children grouped in
childish sorrow about their little dead
brother, was indeed touching spectacle
But standing beside them was the divinity
Of DR.. Townsend's admiration, and she
who was most certainly to Share ends"
with the unhappy Richard.
She was tall, slender girl Of eighteen,
with magnificent eyes and hair. As he
entered the car she was speaking, her love
" face flushed, and the small rosy mouth
disclosing a beautiful set of teeth, turned
bewltchlngly toward the tall stranger at
the door,
ladies and gentlemen" said the sweet
voice "this poor woman, friendless, speak
mg 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 |
01' with her little dead baby and sorrow
'ug heart, she is certainly . deserving OBJ |
le't OF charity and propose that such rs
'rel willing will contribute their mite to-
ward little purse for her immediate
wants and the burial OF her poor baby.
AND" she added, with bewitching smile,
IL any gentleman will lend me hat, |
VIII 60 round and take up q collection"
IN an instant the gallant Richard pulled
ols travelling cap from his blonde curls and
offered IT to the angel Of mercy, who &C
'eP'el 1t with smile, this time all his
own and commenced gathering the readily
oFtbcoming dollars her generous, graceful
appeal brought from the purses of all in
the car
hlchard watched the slender figure in
lay gather the money, and, looking Mt
tHt plald cap in white ieweled fingers, he
Oelnought him of his donation, and step
liNg to the seat the beauty had just occu-
wel, he laid his satchel and shawl upon q
In'nIIy of its kind, belonging to the angel
"a gray and took from his pocket ten
IoHar BILL which he placed in the little
lana that returned him his cap Further
aa'nage the poor fellow received, when
.'"ne and warmly-worded thanks for his i
e0H'r.outlon were dealt from the beautiful |
mouth. +
plck was in the midst of an elaborate |
gp'y, when the cars stopped. lie fingered S
:n5 another moment, seized his satchel a
c6s.N"' shawl with his eyes on the face Of his a
,aai ailncr' and then, even As the cars were /
tIa tl.'il N motion, he bethought himself of
e ;o uoStor, and hurriedly left the car and
'O'uea y,i hi, friends on the platform.
Wen" CALCULATED the worthy, 81 be l
ian TO believe you'd concluded to 70 and h
nr r.y the dead baby, and make the protect O
.bo beauty Mrs. Angelica Marcy. Isn't b
'ue stunner?" h
he. iownSend," returned his friend, don't G
,rs.s sang IN speaking Of the noble crea- c
- lie looked after the train Just dis b
,,ng ,,apvar'ng in the distance. 81 wish to {
IN he continued, aid remained a
Do1ri n,rg How stupid was to leave it. I n
Az AZ nave learned her name and residence. n
lo,to. Nv, IN all probability" broke in the a
Il t. you1l never meet her in this vale 4
ans S, But you'll know Ter in heaven,
.b.,. .' behave yourself well enough to get !,
-, py her wings; she'll have the big. 4
u%sn. % then oil, seeing thsy'vs esG-
'"ss0 to sprsut .. esrxS q