Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1874-10-29
a LITTLE SERMON.

| AT rdilEudu slaliou uut lOuS aSu
one of the beautiful lessons which al
should learn was taught in such ma
ural, simple way that none could for
get it. 1t was a bleak, snowy day
the train was late, the ladies room
dark and smoky, and the dozen wo
men, old and young, who sat waiting
impatiently, all locked cross, low
spirited or stupid.
! just then a forlorn old woman,
ssakingwiih the palsy, came in with
a basket of little wares for sale, and
went about mutely offering them Il
sitters. Nobody bought anything, and
the poor old soul stood blinking al
the door a minute, as if reluctant to
60 out in the bitter storm again. She
turned presently, and poked about
the room as If trying to find some.
thing, and then q lady in black, who
lay as if asleep on 4 sofa, opened her
ewes. saw the old woman, and instant
| ly asked, il kind tone, Have YOU
lost anything, ma'am?'
"No. dear; I'm looking for the
heating place, TO warm fore l 90 out
again. Nv eyes are very poor, and |
don't seem to frd the furnace no
where"
Here it is" and the lady led her
to the radiator, placed chair, and
then showed her how To warm her
feet.
well, now, amt that nice?' said
the old woman, spreading her ragged
mittens TO dry. "Thank'ee, dear; this
is proper comfortable, amt it? I'm
m6st froze to-day, bein' lame and ach-
| ing; and not selling much made me
sort of down-hearted.'
The lady smiled, went to the coun
ter, bought a cup of tea and some
sort OF food, carried it herself TO the
woman, and said, as respectfully and
kindly as 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.
",akes alive Do they give tea ct
this depot." cried the Old lady in an
innocent surprise, that made a smile
90 round the room, touching the
-rummest face ike q streak Of sun
Shine "Well now this is just lovely,
added the old lady, slipping away
with a relish. That does warm my
heart"
While she refreshed herself, tell
ing her story meanwhile. the lady
looked over the little 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 a sweet face she had,
though | considered her rather plain
before. / felt dreadfuily ashamed OF
mvself that | had grimly shaken my
head when the basket was offered n
me: and as / saw q look OF interest.
sympathy and kindness come into the
faces around me, | did wish that |
had been the magician that called il
out. II was only kind word and 8
friendly act, but somehow il brighten
Ell the dim place wonderfully. 1t
changed tie faces of a dozen women,
and / think it touched a dozen hearts,
for | saw as many eyes follow the
plsin, pale lady with sudden respect
and xhen 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 was no gentleman present. TO
be impressed by the lady's kind act
50 II was not done for effect, and nc
possible reward could be received for
/ il except the thanks OF 4 poor old wo-
man. But that simple l'ttle charity
was as good as q sermon. and | think
each traveller went or her way better
for that half hour in that dreary sta
ton.