The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-01-12
A Little Sermon.

At railroad station not long ago one
of the beautiful lessons which all
should learn was taught in such natu-
raj, simple way that none could foget
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 looked cross, low-spirited or stupid.
Just then forlorn old woman, shak-
ing with the palsy, came in with a
basket of wares for sale, and went about
mately offering them to the sitters.
Nobody bought anything, and the poor
old soul stood blinking at the door a
minute as if reluctant to 60 out in the
bitter storm again. She turned pres
emily and poked around the room as if
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 anything,
ma am ?'
"No, dear. Pm looking for the
heatin' place, to have warm fore | go
out again. My eyes are poor, and
don't seem to see 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.
Well, now, amt that nice ?" said
the old woman, spreading her ragged
mittens to dry. "Thankee, dear; this
is proper comfortable, amt it? I'm
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 cup of tea and some sort Of
food, carried it herself to the old
woman, and said, as respectfully ard
kindly as if the poor soul had been
dressed in silk and fur, "Won't you
have cup of hot tea? It's very COM
forting such day as this"
"Sakes alive do they give tea at
this depot p cried the old lady in tone
of innocent surprise, that made smile
60 round the room, touching the glum-
NEST face like streak of sunshine.
Well, 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 little wares in the basket,
bought soap, pins and shoe strings, and
cheered the old soul by paying we'll for
them.
As | watched her doing this thought
what sweet face she had, though I'd
considered her rather plain before. /
felt dreadfully ashamed of myself that
| had grimly shaken my head when the
ba K of was Offarad IN mo. and DC I sow
a look of interest, sympathy and kind
ness come into faces around me, | did
wish that had been the magician that
called it out. 1t was only kind word
and friendly act; but somehow it
frightened that dingy room wonder
fully. 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 something,
as if they wanted to repair their negli-
gence.
There were no gentlemen present to
be impressed by the lady's kind act; so
it was not done for effect, and no posi-
BILE reward could be received for it, ex-
cept the thanks of poor old woman.
But that simple little charity was as
good as a sermon, and | think each
traveller went on her way better for that
half-hour In the dreary station.