The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-09-12
ALittIe sermon.

A 81 railroad station. not long ago, one Of
the beautiful lessons which we all should
learn was taught in such a natural, simple
way that none could forget it. It was a
bleak snowy day; the train was late, the
ladies room dark and smoky, and the dozen
women, old and young, who sat waiting Inn
patiently, all looked cross, low spirited or
stupid.
Just then f0rlorn woman shaking with
the palsy. came in with basket Of little
wares for sale, and went about mutely offer
ing them TO the 7itters. Nobody bought
anythi ing, and NE poor old soul stood blink
ing at the door a minute, as if reluctant to
go out into the bitter storm again. she
turned presently, and poked about the room
as if trying 70 find something, and then a
pale lady in black who lay as if asleep on 81
sofa opened her eyes, saw the old woman,
and instantly asked in a kind tone Have
you lost anything ma'am?
NO, dear I'm loollin' for the heatin
place to have a warm fore | go cut ag'in
Ny eyes are poor, and don't seem to find
the furnace nowhere.
Here it is )" and the lady led her to the
steam radiator, placed chair, and showed
her how to warm her feet.
s'Wen. now. ai'nt that nice?' said the old
womIn, spreading her ragged mittens to dry,
''Thankee, dear this is proper comfortable,
ain't2 Pm most froze TO day, bein' lame
ana 1cHlu ana not Selling iiutn tlltiC iuS
sort Of down-hearted.
Tie lady smiled went TO the counter,
bought a cup of tea and some sort of food,
carried il herself to the old woman, and said,
as respectfully and kindly rs if the poor soul
had been dressed in silk and fur Won't you
have a cup OF hot tea? It's very comforting
such day as this
''Sakes alive! DO they give tea at this
depot" cried the old lady in a tone of inno-
cent surprise, that made smile go round
the room, touching the glummest face like a
a streak of sunshine. well now, this i
Just lovely" added the old lady, slipping
away with relish "That does warm my
heart
While she refreshed herself telling hel
story meanwhile, the lady looked over the
poor little wares in the basket, bought soap
pins and shoestrings, and cheered the old
soul by paying well for them.
As watched her doing this | thought
what sweet face she had, although ID
considered her rather plain before. / felt
dreadfully ashamed of myself that | had
grimly shaken my head when the basket was
oft red to me, and, as | saw look of Interest,
sympathy and kindness come into the faces
around me, l did wish that | had been the
magician to call it out. 1t was only kind
word and a friendly act but somehow it
Frightened that dingy room wonderfully.
1t changed the faces of dozen women, and
| think it touched dozen hearts, for | saw
many eyes follow the plain, pale lady with
sudden respect; and when the old woman,
with many thanks, got up to go, several
persons beckOned to her and bought some
thing, as if they wanted to repair their
negligence.
There were no gentlemen present to be
impressed 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 a poor, old woman. But that simple lit
tie charity was As good as a Sermon and l
think each traveller went on her way better
for that half hour in that dreary stations.
: Workman.