Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-05-26
BELLE ALDEN'S TRAVELLING BAG.

BELLE ALDEN'S TRAVELLING BAG.
A train bound for St. Louis had Just
LETT the depot of Bellefontaine, when a
gentleman entered the smoking car and
laid his hand upon the shoulder of his
travelling companion, tall, handsome
man OF thirty, who sat musingly blow
ing 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 b':t one on the train.
There's an emigrant German woman
with four children, and during the
afternoon the youngest, baby, has
died. The mother and the other chill
dren are inconsolable."
can understand" interrupted the
smoker, the sadness of such a scene.
but where is the sweetness you spoke
ofW
~ am coming to that. The whole
party have been taken in charge by a
young lady. Such beauty She
dried the mothers tears and wiped the
children's noses. She's divinity She
only needs few feathers on her shoul-
der-blades to make full-fedged angel
OF her. If | was not a married man |
would never leave her till | had made
Mrs. Angelica Townsend of her."
That's speech which | shall faith
fully report to Mrs. Agnes Townsend -
said the gentleman addressed as Marcy,
rising. Il shall go back and feast my
eyes on this beautiful Sister of Chari-
ty,' and," he added, taking his travel
sing satchel and shawl from the rack,
Gas we stop at the next station, which
is due in ten minutes, | may as we'll
take my traps with me, and join you on
the platform
So Saying, Richard Marcy threw his
shawl over his shoulder and sauntered
leisurely away 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 q
scene that influenced 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, a touching specta-
Gle. But standing beside them was the
divinity of DR.. Townsend's admiration,
and she who was most certainly to
" share ends" with the unhappy Rich
ard.
She was tall, slender girl of eigh-
teen, with magnificent eyes and hair.
AS he entered the car she was speaking,
lovely face flushed, and the small rosy
mouth disclosing beautiful set of teeth,
turned bewitchingly toward the tall
stranger at the door.
Ladies and gentlemen" said the
sweet voice, this poor woman, friend
less, speaking no English, with four lit
tie children, was expecting to find work
in St. Louis to support them. If every
thing had gone we'll with her, it would
have been hard; but with her little
dead baby and sorrowing heart, she is
certainly deserving object of charity !;
and propose that such as feel willing
will contribute their mite toward little
purse for her immediate wants and the
burial of her poor baby. And" she
added, with bewitching smile, " if any
gentleman will lend me hat, | will 90
round and take up collection"
In an instant the gallant Richard
pulled his travelling cap from his blonde
curls and offered il to the angel of
mercy, who accepted it with smile,
this time all his own, and commenced
gathering the readily forthcoming dol
lars 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 placid cap in white, jeweled fingers,
he bethought him of his donation, and
stepping to the seat the beauty had just
occupied, he laid his satchel and shawl
upon family of it's 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 smile and warmly
worded thanks for his contribution were
dealt from the beautiful mouth
Dick was in the midst of an elaborate
reply, when the cars stopped. He lin
gered yet another moment, seized his
satchel and shawl with his eyes on the
face of his charmer, and then, even as
the cars were again in motion, he be-
thought himself of the doctor, and hur-
riedly left the car and joined his friend
on the platform.
Well" calculated the worthy, i" l
began to believe you'd concluded to go
and bury the. dead baby, and make the
protecting beauty Mrs. Angelica Marcy.
Isn't she a sumner p
Townsend" returned his friend,
don't use slang in speaking of the
noble creature" He looked after the
train just disappearing in the distance.
Il wish to heaven" he continued, " I'd
remained aboard. How stupid | was to
leave it. l might have learned her
name and residence. And now
" Now, in all probability" broke in
the doctor, 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 them all, see
ing they've commenced to sprout on
earth"
And thus rallying his thoroughly