Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-07-16
BY ELIHU BURRITT.

BY ELIHU BURRITT.
The most effective working force in
the world in which we live is the law
of kindness For it is the only moral
force that operates with the same
effect upon mankind, beastkind, and
birdkind. From time immemorial,
music has wonderfully affected all
beings, reasoning or unreasoning, that
have ears to hear The prettiest idea
and smile of ancient literature related
to Orpheus playing his Tyre to animals
listening in intoxicating silence to its
strains. Well, kindness is the sponta-
neous music of good will to men and
beasts. And both listen to it with
their hearts instead of their ears and
the hearts of both are effected by it
in the same way, if not in the same
degree. Volumes might be written
filled with beautiful illustrations of
its effects upon both. The music of
kindness has not only the power to
charm, but to transform both the
savage heart of man and beast and
on this harp the smallest fingers in
the world may play heavens sweetest
tunes on earth.
Some time ago we read Of an &C
cident that will serve as an Illustration
of this beautiful law. 1t was substan-
TALLY to this effect: A poor coarse
featured old woman lived on the line
of the Baltimare & Ohio RailwG :,
where it passed through wild unpeo-
pied district of Western Virginia.
She was a widow, with only one
daughter living with her in log hut,
near deep, precipitous gorge, cross
ed by the railway bridge Here they
contrived to support themselves by
raising and selling poultry and eggs,
adding berries in their season, and
other little articles for the market.
She had to take long, weary walk
of many miles to town where she
could sell her basket ofproduce. The
railway passed by her cabin to thi:
town; ), but the ride would cost toe
much of the profits of her small sales
so she trudged on generally to the
market on foot The conductor came
finally to notice her walking by the
side of the line or between the rails
and, being good na.ured, benevolen
man, he would often give her ride
to and fro without charge The engine
men and brakemen were also good t,
the Old woman, and felt thev were
not wronging the interests of the rail
way company by giving her these FREE
rides. And soon an accident occurred
that proved that they were quite righ
in this view of the matter.
In the wild month of March, tn
rain descended and the mountains sen
down their rolling, roaring torrents c
melted snow and ice into this gorg
near the old womans hut. The foo
arose with the darkness of the nigh
until she heard the crash of the raj
way bridge, as it was swept from i,
butments, and dashed its broken tim
bers against the craggy sides of tn
precipice on either side. 1t was nea
ly midnight. The rain fell in foot
and the darkness was deep and how
ing with the storm. In another ha
hour the express train would be du
What could she do to warn it agaiu
the awful destruction it was approach
ing? She had hardly whole tallov
candle in her house; and no light 81
could make of tallow or oil, if she ha
it, would live moment in that tenn
est of wind and rain. Not a m
ment was to be lost; and her thoug1
was equal to the moment. She G.
the cord of her only bedstead, al
shouldered the dry posts, side peic
and head-piece. Her daughter ft
lowed her with their two wood
chairs. Up the steep embankme
they climbed, and piled a. their hous