Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-06-05
An Incident of Life.

miles
Mr.. Smith, the spruce young conduc-
tor, on the Central Railway cars, usher
ed in adecrepid, shabbily attired old man
who leaned YEARLY on his staff, and
carried heavy valise in his hand.
The long, dimly lighted car was full !;
every seat was occupied; band-boxes,
and carpet-bags were held in their own
ers' laps, and there was not a single
chance for the new conner to be acco1n-
mOdated.
A couple of scores of faces lifted
themselves to glance at the old mans
face, as he moved slowly cad painfully
down the narrow aisle 1t was pain
fully evident that he Lad as much as he
could do to support himself; and be-
sides he looked like one that was just
recovering from a severe illness-his
cheeks thin and pale and his eyes lack
ing the fire which ought to have sparkled
beneath those large and strongly mark
ed brows.
There were many well, active-looking
and healthy young men in the car, but
not one of the number felt disposed to
renounce his soft, comfortable seat to
the shabby old traveller. And after a
stare of undisguised contempt, each and
all dropped their eyes and thought no
more of the old age before them.
In this enlightened country, it is a
notorious fact that the aged meet with
Sights and incivilities, to say nothing OF
positive unkindness, which would have
put the barbarous nations of old to
shame.
Fitz James Eustace, a young ex-
quisite, who was escerting his cousin
Isabel Winchester, to Nahant, drew
down his mouth until the ends of his
copper-colored moustache rested upon
the tips of his well-starched dickey, and
remarked to the lady at his side:
" Really, Mr. smith is insulting us
Why canrot he find a place for that
wretched specimen in the second class
car ?"
A flush, perhaps of pride-perhaps,
of anger-mOdnted 10 the white fore
head of Miss Winchester. She put up
her hand as though to check the speaker,
and said in a subdued voice:
& Fitz James, will you give that gen
tleman your seat. Can't you see how
pale and feeble he looks"
"My dear Isabel! Why, ] should
not evacuate my place at your side for a
kingdom! Let the old fellow stand it
out! 1t will not damage his appear
ance, I'll be bound"
"Then, I'll trouble you to rise mo-
ment, prefer the other side of the seat
Allow me to pass, if you please.
Fitz James never thought of disput-
ing the will of his imperious cousin, and
he stood up to let her go out. But in
stead Of taking the seat which her es-
cort had occupied, the lady walked
straight by, until she reached the side of
the neglected old gentleman. The
touch Of her hand upon his arm drew
his attention toward her.
''Sir, will you have the goodness to
take the seat which | have vacated l
have ridden since early this morning,
and am really weary with sitting so
long. Pray, oblige me.
The old mans face frightened, and he
cast grateful look into the dark, hand
some eyes of the lady.
"But, madame, you must be weary.
| cannot accept it.
She made an impatient gesture. Miss
Winchester was very much accustomed
to have her own way.
No, Sir; am well and strong, and
should be ashamed to sit while man of
age and feeble health remained stand
ing"
''Thank you! your kindness is well
timed, and not thrown away, | venture
to tell you. | shall accept your kind
ness with deep gratitude"
So saying the old gentleman sank into
the vacant seat with well satisfied eX
preston Of cOuntenance, but Fitz James
expressed unbounded contempt for his
neighbor, by drawing his ample raglan
closely around him, and shrinking near
er to the side of the car. The stranger
looked at him with scorn.
''You need not trouble yourself to slip
out of the window, young man., said he
in voice of irony.
Fitz James was thoroughly Disguised
He could not endure such vulgar pro-
pinquity. SO he arose quickly, and
striding past his companion, made the
best of his way into the smoking car.
Miss Winchester's sacrifice had been
witnessed by all in the carriage, and
seats were offered her by dozen polite
and oflicious young gentlemen, but she
declined them all by a motion of the
head, and remained leaning against the
side of the car.
The train flew onward-the old gent
leman meanwhile disposing himself for
comfortable nap, which he was soon
enjoying.
Sometime before midnight, the lights
of Boston cleaned through the darkness;
and in another minute the train thunder
ed into the depot.
Our old gentleman arose, shook him !
self, grasped his valise, and came over
to the side of Miss Winchester.
Madame, he said, ''you have made |
an old and feeble mans journey toler-
able. VIII you not tell me you name
and place of adobe ?"
She smiled, waived all thanks and
gave him her card. He bowed and left |
her, just as Fitz James appeared to es-
cort her from the car. But getting |
through the crowd was no easy matter,
for the toss and hustle were unusual |
and Isabel noticed that several uniform |
ed companies filled the entire space in
front of the depot
Cries of ''Hurrah for General South |
erton!" 'Three cheers for the hero of
Mexico" rent the air.
Banners trailed out on the fresh night |
breeze, f1ambeaux flashed, drums beat, |
and long line of carriages filed slowl-J !
up the street.
Fitz James inquired the occasion of
al this tumult, and learned that it was
a public welcome extended by the citi- |
zens OF Boston to General John South |
erton, gentleman and veteran officer.
who had signally distinguished himself |
in the then late war.
"He came in this train, said by-
stander. SIS it possible, sir, that YOU
did not discover him ?" sickly-looking
old gentleman, dressed in threadbare
gray, and carrying a hugh, black valise
He has just recovered from a severe
attack of rheumatic fever, which has
troubled him ever since his last cam
paign. Those vile Mexican night va
pors, and sleeping on the cold ground.
undermined his constitution, but he is a
fine old fellow yet"
Miss Winchester thought he must be
she had heard much of his gallant dar-
ing; but Fitz James was the very
picture of silent modification.
Miss Winchester and her cousin stop-
ped at the American House, and early
next morning, before the lady had
finished dressing, a servant brOupht mn q