The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-09-21
Gallantry Rewarded.

Gallantry Rewarded.
II say, ad!ox, what arc you GO
ing to do now?"
u am going to help the old lady on
tho ears. - o:.s>l,.@s2 -.. .-.-..>~.
"Wcll, if yon don't beat all for a
spooney, then Pm mistaken. Do2you
take charge Of all the old women,
unprotected females and stray babies
that yon meet in travcling?'
"fes, if they need help, SO if you
have no rea.s 2nablc objection to offer,
will leave you for II few moments
and assist that lady as / proposed. :"
So saying young Maddox sprang
from tho train, which was just star
ting, and went to render assistance
to the person in question. She was
loadcd down with bagssagge-carpet-
bas, band box and parcels innumer:
able. He took the two first, and
some of the last, and then putting her
safely on the cars, came near being
left behind, SO very awkward did be
find it to manage so many incum-
brances. 80 80 80.
After he had got the old lady seat
cd, with, her numerous packages all
about her, she counted them several
times TO be sure none were missing.
my rnbbcrsare in this one" said
she, because ! thought it might rain,
and 1 always have Rheumatism when
i wet my feet. Ny best cap isin that,
for l expected to stay day or two
perhaps, and our folks see lots Of.
company. Ally knitting is in that one
there, for l thought / might get tired
sitting with my hands folded. This
one is full Of doughnuts for the chill
dren, and that near you holds two
pairs OF new socks for my son, be-
cause he thinks he cannot buy any as
good as his old mother makes They
are all here, I see, safe, and l AM
much obliged to you, young man, for
attending me. You viii make y good
husband one of these days"
SO, blushing and laughing, the gen
tlcman went back to join his DISCUS
ted companion, who had watched the
proceedings with q smile Of wither-
ing contempt.
- Now" be commenced, twill You
tell me what you wanted to make
suc!, a fool Of yourself, in that way
for?' .-.a ~
II do not acknowledge that I have
done 80, yet. Another thing-n.y
mother sometimes travels; doesn't
yours?"
"Shc never goes alone" was tho
short reply. ''lf she docs. she will
have too much sense evcr to trouble
other people with her bags and bun
dies"
"Ycs, if she forms her opinions of
other people from her own son. In
that case, 1 think perhaps she might
hesitate some time. am going now
to talk with the nice old lady,
And Harry Maddox left his old
friond to join the new one, for such
. she afterwards proved. Sho put
aside all her bundles, and made room
for hin, to sit down by her. -.
$50 you have come to talk with tho
. old lady, have you p she asked smi
ling acordial welcome.
ayes. ma'am,' he replied, eff il
will not. be intrusive"
"Oh, no, we old folks like attention
rs we'll if not better than pretty
young girls; and you are a very goo@
looking fellow"
aTLank you" answered Harry, "bu
Ibid not know. that you would CAR
to talk to q giddy pate like me-"
Harry began to be much amused
and so they kept up a merry tail
until the train stopped at the station
where the lady intended to get out
But just before this, she said to til
young man: -.rs 49,.
"Now, Mr.. Maddox I think yot
will be5rewarded Tor yourkindness Il
an old woman. I will introduce yo'
when we stop, to just US pretty
girlas there is in New York state, i
She is my granddaughter. They say
she looks just like me-" and she laugh
ed mischievously. ss
When it was time to leave the cars
Harry took the carpet bag, band bo:
big bundle, little bundle, and as 500,
az he had lifled the lady on to tn
platform, she was saluted by the pre1
ticst little specimen. of female human
ity that he had ever. seen, the youn
man thought. Eyes black as nigh
but soft and melting, red checks an
lips, black curling hair, q neat httl
figure set off, with an elegant tray
/cIipg suit, all presented a picture tn;
he never forgot. -