The Portland daily press., 1872-01-10
THE PRESS.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JAN. 10, 1872
A Little Sermon.

At railroad station, not long ago, one of
the beautiful lessons which all should learn
was taught in such natural, simple way, that
none could forget it. 1t was bleak, snowy
day; the train was late, the ladies' room dark
and smoky, and the dozen women, old and
young, who sat waiting impatiently, all look
ed cross, low spirited, or stupid.
Just then a forlorn woman, shaking with
the palsy, came in with basket of little
wares for sale. and went about mutely offer
ing them to the sitters. Nobody bought any,
thing, and the poor old soul stood blinking at
the door minute, as if reluctant to 90 out
into the bitter storm again. She tlrned pres
emily, and poked about the room as if trying
to find something, and then pale lady in
black, who lay as if asleep on a sofa, opened
her eyes, saw the old woman, and instantly
asked in a kind tone, '.Have you lost any
thing, MAJ 'am%'t
''No, dear. Pm looking for the heatin'
place, to have a warm fore 1 go out ag'in.
My eyes are poor, and don't seem to find
the furnace nowhere"
"Here it is" and the lady lead her to the
steam radiator, placed chair and showed her
how to warm her feet.
''Well, now, amt that nice ?" said the old
WOhAol3 opACodAIS hcA A0,3Cu hAibtCho W aiy'
"Thankee, dear this is proper comfortable,
amt it? Pm most froze, to-day, bein' lame
and aching; and not selling much made me
sort of dOwn-hearted."
The lady smiled, went to the counter,
bought a cup of tea and some sort of tOOd car
ried it herself to the old woman, and said as
respectfully and kindly as if the poor soul had
been dressed in silk and fur, "Won't you
have cup OF hot tea? It's very comforting
such day as this"
''Sakes alive! Do they give tea at this de-
pot"' cried the old lady in tone of inno-
dent surprise, that made a smile 60 round
the room, touching the glummest face like
streak of sunshine. swell, now, this is Just
lovely" added the old lady, slipping away
with relish. "That does warm my heart"
While she refreshed herself, telling her story
meanwhile, the lady looked over the poor lit
tie wares in the basket, bought soap, pins
and shoe-strings, and cheered the old soul by
paying well for them.
As watched her doing this thought what
sweet face she had, though I'd considered it
rather plain before. felt dreadfully ashamed
of myself that had grimly shaken my head
when the basket was offered to me; and, as
saw look ofinterest, sympathy and kindness
come into the faces around me, did wish
that had been the magician to call it out.
It0was only kind word and friendly act
but somehow it frightened that dingy room
wonderfully. 1t changed the faces of dozen
women and l think it touched a dozen
hearts, for l saw many eyes follow the plain
pale lady with sudden respect; and when the
woman with many thanks, got up to go, sew
eral persons beckoned to her and bought
something, as if they wanted to repair their
negligence.
There were no gentlemen present to be i'm
pressed by the lady's kind act; so it was not
done for effect, and no possible reward could
be received for it, except the thanks of poor
old woman. But that simple little charity
was as good as sermon, and l think each
traveller went on her way better for that halt
hour in that dreary stations. s. Work
| man.