Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-01-17
Belle Alden's Traveling-Ba

Al train bound for st. Louis had just
left the depot of Bellefontaine, when a
gentleman entered the smoking car and
laid his hand upon the shoulder Of his
travelling companions tall, handsome
man of thirty, who sat musingly 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 go into
the last car but one on the train. There S
an emigrant German woman, with fonr
little children, and during the afternoon
the youngest-a baby-has died. The
mother and the other children are incon-
solable."
II can understand" interrupted the
smoker, the sadness of such a scene,
but where is the sweetness you spoke
OFF, Ma
"Tm coming to that. The whole party
have been taken in charge of by young
lady. Such beautyl She's dried the
mothers tears, and wiped the children s
noses She's divinity Sheonly needs
a few feathers on her shoulder-blades to
make full-hedged angel Of her. If
| was not married man, I'd never leave
her till I'd made Mrs. Angelica Town
send out of her. " u
THAT'S a speech which ] shall faith
fully report to Mrs. Agnes Townsend, y
said the gentleman addressed as Marcy,
rising. I" l shall go back and feast my
ewes on this beautiful Sister Of Charity;
and" he added, taking his travelling
satchel and shawl from the rack, as we
son AZ 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
leisurely through the long train-rushing
blindly and calmly to his fate. For, as
he entered the last car but one, he be-
came witness and an actor in scene
that influenced 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
dead face.
The three sturdy children, grouped in
childish sorrow about their little dead
brother. was indeed a touching specta-
Gle. But, standing beside them, was the
divinity Of Doctor Townsend's admira-
ton. and she who was most certainly to
share the ends" ofthe unhappy Richard.
She was tall, slender girl of eighteen,
with magnificent eyes and hair. AS ne
entered the car she was speaking, her
lovely face flushed, and the small, rosy
mouth, disclosing beautiful set OF
teeth. turned bewitchingly towards the
tall stranger at the door.
Ladies apd gentlemen spoke the
sweet voice, this poor yoman, iriendless
and penniless, speaking no English, Wltn
four little children, was expecting TO ma
work in st. Louis to support them II
everything had gone well with her II
would not thave been hard for her. but with
her little dead baby and sorrowinl heart
she is certainly a deserving object OF
charity; and 4 propose that such as feel
willing contribute their Hiia toward a
little purse for her immediate wants ane
the burial Of her poor baby. And, she
added. with a bewitehing smile, IF any
Gentleman will lend lie a hat will 60
round and take up q collection.
In an instant the gallant Richard
pulled his travelling cap from bis blonde
curlsand offered it to the Angel Of Mercy,
who accepted it with smile, this time
an his own, and oommenced gathering
the readily forthcoming dollars her gene.
rous graceful appeal brought from the
purses Of al in the car.
Richard watched the slender hgure in