The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-15
BELLE ALDES'S TRAVELLING BAG.

A train bound for St. Louis had Just left
the depot Of Bellefontaine, when a gentle.
man entered the smokins-ca and laid his
hand upon the shoulder Of his travelling
companion-a tall, handsome man Of thir.
ty, who sat musingly blowing rings Of
smoke into the air.
MARCY" said the new conner, s'if you
want to see at once the sweetest and sad
dest sight you ever beheld, go into the last
car but one on the train. There's an emf
grant German woman with four children,
and during the afternoon the youngest, a
baby, has died. The mother and the 9TH
er children arc inconsolable."
II can understand" interrupted the
smoker, "the sadness Of such scene, but
where is the sweetness you spoke Of"
"'m coming to that. The whole party
have been taken in charge by young Ia
dy. Such beauty She dried the moth.
er's tears and wiped the cbildrcns noses.
She's divinity She only needs few
feathers on her ,houlder-blades to make a
full-fedged angel of her. If was not a
married man, I'd never leave her till Pd
made Mrs. Angelica Townsend Of her.
"That's speech which shall faithfully
report to Ms. Agnes Townsend" said the
gentleman addressed as Marcy, rising. 81
shall go back and feast my eyes on this
beautiful Sister of Charity and" he add
ed, taking his travelling satchel and shawl
from the rack, "as We stop at the next sta
tion, which is due in ten minutes, ] may
as well take my traps through with nc,
and join You on the platform"
Thus saying, Richard Marcy threw his
shawl over hi, shoulder, and sauntered
leisurely through the long train-rushing
blindly and calmly to his fate. For, as he
entered the last car but one, he became a
witness and an actor in scene that inau-
enced his whole future life.
The poor, grief:stricken German, of
whom his companion, DR.. 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 "sharc 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-
ly face flushed, and the small rosy mouth
disclosing beautiful set Of teeth, turned
bewitchingly toward the tall stranger at
the door.
Iadies and gentlemen" said the sweet
voice, "this poor woman, friendless, speak
ing no English, with four little children,
was expecting to find work in St. Louis to
support them. If everything had gone
well with her, it would have been hard /;
but with her little dead bsby and SORROW
ing heart, she is certainly deserving OBJ
jject of charity and propose that such as
feel willing will contribute their mite to-
ward a little purse for her immediate
wants and the burial Of her poor baby.
And,n shc added, with bewitching smile,
''if any gentleman will lend me hat, l
will 20 round and take up collection"
In an instant the gallant Richard pulled
his travelling cap from his blonde curls and
offered it to the angel Of mercy, who ac-
cepted it with smile, this time all bis
own, and commenced gathering the readily,
forthcoming dollars her generous, graceful
appeal brought from the purses Of all IN
the car.
Richard watched the slender figure in
gray gather the money, and, looking at
the plaid cap in white icweled fingers, he
bethought him Of his donation, and step
ping to the seat the beauty had just occu-
pied, he laid his satchel and shawl upon a
family of its kind, belonging to the angel
in gray. and took from his pocket ten
dollar bill, which he placed in the little
hand that returned him his cap Further
damage the poor fellow received, when a
smile and warmly-worded thanks for his
contribution we're dealt from the beautiful
mouth.
Dick was in the midst Of an elaborate
reply, when the cars stopped. He fingered
vet another moment, seized his satcnel
and shawl with his eyes on the face oi MS
cbarmer, and then, even as the cars were
again in motion, he bethought himself oi
the doctor, and hurriedly left the car ana
ioined his friends on thsIplatform.