Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-12-11
Mj5tellang.
An Incident OF Life.

An Incident OF Life.
All full, sir! Sorry. Bat I gues-
you'u manage to stand the next fifty
miles -
Mr.. Smith, the spruce young conductor
on the Central Railway cars, ushered in a
decrepid shabbiy attired old man. who
leaned YEARLY on his staff and carried q
heavy vaise in his hand.
The long, dimly-lighted car was full ;
very seat was occupied band-boxe= and
.arpet-bags, and there was not single
;hauce for the uew conner TO be accommO-
lated
4 couple Of scores of faces lifted them
selves to glance at the old mans face as he
moved slowly and painfully down the mar
row aisle 1t was painfully evident tnat
be had as much as be could do to support
himself and besides, he looked ike one
thai was recovering from a severe illness
his cheeks thin and pale, bis eyes lack
ing the fire which ought to have sparkled
beneath those large and strongly marked
brows.
There were many WE'LL active-lookiHg
healthy young men in the car, but not one
Of the number felt disposed to renouuce
bis soft, comfortable seat to the shabby old
traveller. And after a stare Of disguised
contempt. each and all dropped their eyes
and thought no more of the suffering old
age before them.
In this enlightened country, it is motto
rious fact that the aged meet with sri hts
and inciyiities, to say nothing of positive
unkinlness. which would have put the
barbarou- nations ofod to shame.
F.tz james EIstace, a young exquisite.
who was eseorting his cousin lsabe. Win
chester. TO Nahant, drew down mis- mouth
until the ends Of his copper-colored
mustache rested upon the tips Of his well
starehed dickcy and remarked to the lady
by his side
" Really. Mr. Smith IS insulting us {!
WHY en- not he find 4 place for that
wretched specimen in the second class
car -
\ flush, perhaps Of pride-perhaps Of
anger-mounted to the white forehead OF
Miss Winchester. She put up her hand
as though TO check the speaker. and said
in a subdued voice
" Fltz James, viii you give that gentle
man your seat? Can't you see how pale and
feeble he looks
Nv dear Isabel Why, | should rot
evacuate my place by your side tor a
kingdom Let the old fellow stand it out
1t won't damage his appearance, I'll be
bound f"
- Then I'll trouble you to rise a me
ment. prefer the other side. Allow m
to pass, if you please"
F.tz James never thought Of dispu.in-
the imperious cousin, and he stood up {,
let her 20 out But instead Of taking the
seat which her escort had occupied, Oh,
lady walked straight on, until she reached
the side of the neglected Old gentleman.
The touch Of her had on his arm drcg his
attention towards her.
d" S.r, will you have the goodness to take
the scat which 1 have vacated ? [ have
ridden since early this morning and an
really wearied with sitting so long. Pray
oblige me ? "
The old mans face Frightened, and be
east a grateful look into the dars, hand
some eyes of the lady.
But, madame, you must be weary
cannot accept It
She made an impatient gesture. Ms
Winchester was accustomed to have be-
own way.
No, sir; l am well, young and strong
[ should be ashamed to sit while a mar
of your age and health remained standing
Thank you your kindness Is wei
timed. and not thrown away, L venture t.
tell you. l shall accept your offer witt
gratitude"
So saying the old gentleman sank into
The vacant seat with well satisfied ex
preston of countenance but t'itz Jane.
expressed his uubounded contempt for hi:
neighbor. by drawing his ample ragal
closely around him and shrinking nearer
to the side Of the car. The stranger looked
at him with scorn.
You need not trouble yourself to slip
through the window, young man" said be
IN a voice Of irony.
Ftz James was thoroughly disguised
He could not endure slch vulgar propiu
putty. So he arose quickly, and stridin4
over bis companion, made the best Of hi,
way into the smoking car.
Miss Winchester's sacrifice had been seer
By all in the carriage. aLd seats We're Of
fered her By dozen polite and ofheiou
young gentlemen, but she declined then
al By a motion of the head, and remained
leaning against the side of the vehicle.
The train few onward, the old gentleman
meanwhile disposing himself for a com
Portable nap, which he was shortly enjoy
iDg.
Some time before midnight the lights 0
Boston cleaned through the darkness; an
IN moment the train Numbered into
the depot.
Our old gentleman arose, shook himsel
grasred his valise, and came over to to
side Of Miss Winchester.
Madame ne said, ''you have made al
old feeble mans journey tolerable, will yol
not tell him your name and place 0
abode n