The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-02-23
Anoersou antclligentcr.
BELLE ALDEN'S TRAvELlNG-BAG.

the shoulder of his travelling -companion-a
tall, handsome man of thirty, who sat musing-
ly blowing rings of smoke into the air.
Marcy" said the new conner, If you want
to see at once the sweetest and saddest sight
you ever beheld, 60 into the last car but oneon
the train. There's an emf grsnt German wo-
man, with four little children, and during the
afternoon the youngest baby-has died.
The mother and the other children are incon-
solable"
II can understand" interrupted the smoker,
sthe sadness of such scene, but where is the
sweetness you spoke OF :"
''Im coming to that The whole party have
been taken in charge of by young lady. Such
beauty She's dried the mothers tears, and
wiped the children's noses She's divinity !
She only needs few feathers on her shoulder
blades to make q full-hedged 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 speech which shall faithfully re-
port to Mrs. Agnes Townsend said the gen.
tleman addressed as Marcy, rising 81 shall go
back and feast my eyes on this beautiful Sister
of Charity; and" he added, taking his travel
ing satchel and shawl from the rack, "as we
stop at the next station, which is due in ten
minutes, l 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 sauntcred leisurely
through the long train-rushing blindly and
calmly to his fate. For, as he entered the last
car but one he became witness and an actor
in scene that influenced his whole future life.
The poor, griefstricken German, of whom
his companion, DR.. Townsend, had spoken, with
the dead infant in her arms, sat silently weep
ing over the little dead face.
-, olt III
ish sorrow about their little dead brother, was
indeed touching spectacle. But, standing
beside them, was the divinity of DR.. Town
sends admiration, and she who was most cer-
tainly to "share 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, disclosing beauti-
'ful set of teeth, turned bewitchingly towards
the tall stranger at the door.
"Ladies and gentlemen" spoke the sweet
voice, ''this poor woman, friendless and penni-
less, speaking no English, with four little chill
dren, was expecting to find work in St. Louis
with her it would have been hard for her; but
with her little dead baby and sorrowful heart
she is certainly deserving object of charity {;
and propose that such as feel willing, con-
tribute their mite toward little purse for her
immediate wants and the burial of her poor
baby And," she added, with bewitching
smile, eff any gentleman will lend me hat
will go 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 accepted it with
a smile, this time all his 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
gathering the money, and looking at the plaid
cap in the white jeweled fingers, he betheught
bin of his own donation, and stepping to the
seat the beauty 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
the little hand that returned him his cap
Further damage the poor fellow received, when
second smile and warmly y-worded thanks for
bis liberal contribution were dealt him from
the beautiful mouth.
Dick was in the midst of an elaborate reply,
when the cars stopped. He fingered yet an
other moment, seized his satchel and shawl,
with his eyes.still on the face of his charmer,
and then even as the cars were again in motion,
he bethought himself of the doctor, and hur
Tiedly left the Car and Joined his friend on the
platform.
"Well," calculated that worthy, 81 began to
believe you'd concluded to 60 and bury the
dead baby, and make the protecting beauty
Mrs. Angelica Marcy Isn't she sumner ?''
Townsend" returned his friend, 'dont use
slang in speaking Of the noble creature" He
looked after the train just disappearing in the
distance. II wish to heaven" he continued.
"Pd remained aboard. How stupid was 10
leave it. might have learned her name and
residence. And now"
"Now, in all probability" broke in the doc
tor, you'll never meet her in this vale of tears.
But you'll know her in heaven, if you behave
yourself well enough to get there, by her wings;
she'll have the biggest Of any Of them, seeing
they've commenced to sprout on EARTH"
And thus rallying his thoroughly captivated
friend, the two made their way to the house Of
an acquaintance, with whom they were to re-
main that night, and go OH the next day to
their destination st. Louis.
After the first saiutaton our hero went to
his room to remove someof the evidences of his
long ride from New York He had removed
his coat vest and collar; he had spashed, and
soaped, and washed, till his damp curls hung
close to his shapey head, when he made
startling discovery.
Flushed and breathless, he burst into the
next room upon his friend.
Townsend" cried he, "what upon earth Go
you suppose2 Pve got the wrong bag. I've
changed baggage with the Angel of Mercy
Look at that slipper-see that thimble-con-
template that glove"
"Its evident you've got the lady's satchel.
And what was there in yours?''
"Dont bring up that dreadful idea" said
Dick. cigars and a ar-brush, pack of
cards and comb, pocket-hask and a tooth
brush--everything disreputable If l am
judged by that bag, Pm q lost man.
"And this took for clean shirt" and Dick
held up frlled and futed SACK such as do
duty for more extensive night-dresses with la
dies when travelling. "Pd like to see Angelica
when she opens my satchel."
nd Dinl- fnll 70 1nr,inn uth tho slinnar