The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-06
4 CUP OF WATER.

A CUP OF WATER.
Tommy Travers was water carrier on
a railroad that went from busy city in
to the quiet, beautiful mountain regions,
bearing crowds of city people away for
their summer vacation.
Tommy's personal appearance was not
striking. Few people looked farther than
the small brown hand that dealt out cold
water to thirsty passengers. Though
Tommy expected no reward except what
the company paid him at the end Of the
month, he sometimes thought how pleas.
ant it would he to ''know people, and
receive q kind word or q smile for his
efforts to please.
1t was'on a sultry July afternoon that
l saw the little fellow with his honest
face. The cars were filled to overflow
ing with passengers for the mountains;
and what with the dust and heat and
cinders pouring in clouds through the
windows, and the frequent stopping of
the heavily loaded train, they were
very noisy, discontented set of people.
Tommy thought, as he heard the little
boys and girls, nicely dressed and we'll
cared for, tretting and making themselves
and every body in hearing uncomfortable,
that he should be very willing to endure
the dust and heat if he was going to stay
in the fresh, pure air Of the mountains all
summer; and, feeling just little discon-
tented with his lot, he carelessly spilled
the contents of glass of water on the
dress Of lady he was serving.
A sharp reproof caused him to hasten
on rapidly but, as he was leaving the
car, forlorn little object III the corner
met his eye. A grimy, ill dressed little
figure it was, curled up in the corner
seat, with two small fists trying to wipe
away the tears that were making black
valley railroads. on either cheek.
Toms heart-a good large one. by the
way-was touched at the sight of the
boys distress, and he said to himself,
without knowing why: "Here's chance
to pay off for that old woman who scold'
ed me-
In moment he had filled glass full of
cool water. and, reaching it out to the
child, shouted in CHEEKY tone:
''Look here, little one, don't you want
this!''
The tears ran off the track, and pretty
soon stopped coming on the boys cheek;
the brown fists were drawn aside, and a
pair Of bright eyes took sharp look at
the newcomer. The survey was evident
" satisfactory, for Toms invitation was
accepted, and little Sam drained the glass
in twinkling.
: "Why, what place you've got, young
ster!'' said the t0mpany's water carrier.
''Sun shining right in, and the blind up
Just wait bit until some one gets Of at
the next station, and we'll 60 to the shady
side. Our folks don't mean these seat:
for nice little boys like you. Where be
you goins?'' .
Sam couldn't help liking the kind
hearted fellow, and he was naturall,
pleased to be called nice little boy. SC
Tom was soon in possession of his story
As the train stopped at the station
Tom hurried his charge along to shaCy
seat. and drew from his shabby pocket a,
illustrated almanac, and said:
':There, you can look at the picture
till I come back with something nice,
and he smacked his lips with a relish.
Little Sam looked up inquiringly; bu
Tom only nodded and was off.
'sBeen riding all day without anything
to eat,' unused Tommy on the platform
Of the car. "Just wait till We get t.
Pine Crossing!' and he uttered salts
fed whistle.
At Pine Crossing lived nice old farm
er, who often had tossed fine yellow ap
pies to the little water-boy, as the trail
stopped for a moment; but to-day b
was little afraid. But no! there stoo'
the man with basket of luscious fruit
and Tommy caught one, two, three, hal
a dozen, before the cars moved away.
Tom could hardly keep frcm laughin
aloud in his Joy to sec Sam devour the ar
ues with such eagerness that there coul
be no doubt about his appetite, and tn
sight was most delightful one to thos
of the passengers who had watched tn
bovs, and that was good many. Eve
the lady who had reproved Tom for hi
carelessness, smiled kindly at him whe
he went up the car with his water-can.
But the boy cared little whether h
was praised or blamed. The blessin
nromised to the "giver'' was his, thong
he could not have told you why his hear
was so light.
"Whosoever shall give cup Of waite
to drink in my name, he shall not lose h
reward
KEEPER, one of the Oldest citizen
ofSt. Charles, died there Monday. NJ
Keeper went 70 St. Charles twenty yea1
400 to take charge of the Methodist mi
sionary work, and at the time Of h
death vas rs years Of age.