Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1876-01-26
An Angel on Board.

on a midsummer day! That irrepresslble
how came around. This time he had
temptinc fruit, and l begged of him to
find nv husband. A lady at my side
said:
Excuse me; but do you not carry
purse when you travel?"
Never, when with my husband.
"Let me tell you a story
Thanks"
And this is what she told me, and l do
not doubt its truth:
NV husband was thirtytive. and
country girl of seventeen when we were
married. Our bridal tour was to end in
Christmas at his fathers in Boston. We
took boat from New York. The steam
er was elegant. and, having shown me my
state-room, he stepped out. l went back
to the cabin, read little, watched my
travelling companions Il great deal, Won
dcred what friend he had found on the
boat, until supper-time came, and he did
not. The cabin maid asked if | was
going to supper. l said, When my
husband comes for me.n 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 l please
paw my fare?n l had not one cent.
Further inquiry; there was certainly no
such man on the boat. | began to cry.
THAT won't do, my little girl" (She
was very small) 1--WE have seen too
much of that Pay Your fare, or I'll pat
you Off
had II bright thought, My trunk is
here"
"Show it to me. if you please And he
went to the baggage I pointed it out to
him, triumphantly.'
Your key, if you please"
My husband locked it and has the
key. but you may break the lock "
The owner of the trunk may object.
" 1t IS mine.'
look here, little girl, you are not
married. l shall put you ashore at the
first landing. Go home and behave your
self in the future"
Every drop of blood in my veins boiled
and vet must bear it because had not Il
five dollar bill by me. never before
dreamed Of the " degradation of poverty.
He turned away, and | sat down on my
trunk 1t was my own. 1t would tell O
my innocence ard truth, if he would GU
let it. so, too, would AL the presents we
had so carefully selected for the dear one,
at home. could have put my arms
around it and kissed it. | only asked tc
be allowed to sit upon it all night
Wouldn't he lust let me do Mt.'
1t WAS the worst question | could have
asked. Il presume you'd like to be lief
here, Go straight to the ladies' cabin. an'
don't YOU leave it until put You OF til,
boat
rose proudly and walked to the cabin
without a glance at him. | would not CT,
until | could get to my stateroom. Blu
when came to the door it flashed upol
me, hare no statr room. had no Spo
of my own. no baggage. no friend, n
character-cvcn the black cabin maid W.,
whispering about me-no husband -wher
was he? where could he be? He must hay
fallen overheard, | should never see hin
again. and | should be put off in tn
night, in Il strange place. without n cen
of money to buy II lodTing-or even
sheet of paper and \ three cent stamp
And Christmas morning, when All Won
/, be Watching for the happy bridal party
where Shouid we be? Where ros h?
, grew frantic believe now | WAS on tn
verge of insanity. | remember feeiln
sure he he had fallen overheard and WA
drowned, and that if left on a wharf
would 90 and spend Christmas with him
| often >hudder, even now. when thin
what | might have been driven TO.
=, only knew the dark fright and horror {
that hour.
One of those little ones. " whose angel
10 ALWAYS behold the face of the Father.
came and put her hand on mine, and aSke
'whv DO you cry So hard" | told bel
She said He's dead. just as my mamm
is. and III tell papa And she went
i him. and could not doubt but, softcne
bv his own great sorrow and his sWet
; childs pleadinys, he would help me. Br
: SAW him shake his worldly-wise hca'
AMI heard him say, she is crying too hard
: too publicly; and | rushcd into the STATE
room; mine or mott must hide the sol!
; could not check.
; Then came a thought-On" there Wa
r even on that awful boat who knew al
!; and dropped on my knees. and simpl
said, Pity me. pity me. dear Savior
: Save or PERISH | said these wor'
e over and over. The loving little girl la
l not been convinced. and came and p"er'
t through the glass, and made her fath'
=; look, and then She came in and put ht
Il arms around my neck. and said:
-, al Here Is a 1--WE dollar Dill plpl gay
l me for YOU. because bad girls don't pray.
{ When The steamer touched the whar
my husband and his father rushed upon !
My husband had >tcppad back to speak
|; a friend on the wharf. and. but for the
" Selling him. he would have tried to jun
{ on board He t"legraphcl to his ftthe
{ took the night express, and WAS Their" b.
u fore the boat arrived.
: He had IN elegant picture painted of Il
n little girl, and every Christmas we Dire
Is it with flowers and call title Christine
l. Angel.
~, W Ar4.II1N4, - littl., u,