Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-01-06
For the New York Observer.
An Angel On Board.
BY MRS. L. E. SANDFORD

Two hours to wait at junction de-
pot on midsummer day! That irrep-
erssible boy came around. This time
he had tempting fruit, and | begged
him to find my husband, A lady at
my side said:
'Excuse me; but do you carry a
purse when you travel?'
"Never, when with my husband.
"Let me tell you a story"
ssThanks."
And this is what she told me, and /
do not doubt its truth -
My husband was thirty-fve and 4
country girl of seventeen when we
were married. Our bridal tour was GO
end in Christmas at his fathers, in
Boston. We took boat from New
York. The steamer was elegant, and,
having shown me my stateroom, he
stepped out. I went back to the cabin,
read little, watched my travelling
companions great deal, wondered
what friend he had found on the boat,
until supper time came. and he did
not. The cabin maid asked if I were
going to supper. I said, When my
husband comes for me- She went to
the Office. Inquiry was made there
was no such man on the boat. Then
came the captains request that
would show my ticket had none
Would I please pay my fare?' | had
not one cent! Farther inquiry there
was certainly no such man On the boat
[ began to cry.
"That won't do, my little girl.
(She was very small } we have seen
too much Of that. Pay your fare, OIL
I'll put you off.
81 had bright thought. My trunk
is here
"Show it to me, if you please.
And he went with me to the baggage
| pointed it to him triumphantly
Your key, if you please
''My husband locked it and has the
key but you may break the lock-
1.-THE owner of the trunk may OBJ
ject.
ST IS mine =
"Look here, LITTLE girl, you are not
married. [ shall put you ashore al
the first landing. Go home, and be-
have yourself in future
''Every drop of blood in my veins
boiled, and yet I must bear it, be
cause [ had not a fve-dollar bill by
me +! [ never before dream I'd of the
degradation of poverty He turned
away, and | sat down on my trunk,
1t was my own 1t would tell Of my
innocence and truth, if he would let it
So, too, would all the presents we had
so carfully selected for the dear ones
at home. [ could have put my arms
around it and kissed it. I only asked
to be allowed to sit upon it all night.
Woulden't he just let me do that2'
''It was the worst question [ could
have asked. L presume you'd like tc
be left here! Go straight to the ladies
cabin, and don't you leave it until
put you off the boat.
II rose proudly and walked to the
cabin without glance at him.
would not cry until [ could get to my
stateroom. But when [ came to the
door it flashed upon me, l have nc
stateroom. I had no spot my own,
no baggage, no friends, no character
even the black cabin maid was
whispering about me, husband =
where was he? where could he be !
He must have fallen overheard !!
never should see him again and
should be put off in the night, in {
strange place, without cent of money
TO buy lodging even sheet o
paper and three-cent stamp! Anc
Christmas morning, when all would bt
watching for the happy bridal party
where should we be? where was he
[ grew frantic. [ believe, now [ was
on the verge Of insanity. [ remem
Der feeling sure he had fallen over
board and was drowned, and that, i
left on wharf, [ would go and spenc
Christmas with him. I often shudder
even now, when I think what [ Nigh
have been driven to. [ only know
the dark fright and horror of tina
hour
i "One of those little ones, who's
angels do always behold the face of tn
! Father came and put her hand Of
mine and asked why cried so hard ?
told her. She said, He's dead
just as my mamma is, and I'll tel
papa And she went to him, and
could not doubt but, softening by hi
own great sorrow and his sweet child
pleadings, he would help me. But
saw him shake his worldly wise hea'
and heard him say, She is crying to-
hard, too publicly and I rushed int
the, stateroom mine or not,-l mus
hide the sobs | could not check.
'sThen came a thought, One ther