New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-05-15
On The Other Train.
BY A DEPOT CLOCK.


"There, Simons, you blocknead! Why
didn't you trot that old woman aboard
her train? She'll have to wait here now
until the 1905 A NJ
Yes, Ibid tell you! You know we'll
enough. Twas only your COMPOUNDED
stupid carelessness!"
"She You fool! What else could
you expect Of her? Probably hasn't any
wit; beside, she isn't bound on a ve,y jol-
ly journey-got a pass up the road to the
poor house..
CPL go and tell her, and if you forget
her tonight, see if ! don't make mince-
meat of you'll"
And our worthy ticket agent shook his
fist menacingIy at his subordinate.
you've missed your train, ma'am," he
remarked, coming forward to a queer
looking bundle in the corner.
A trembling hand raised the faded
black veil, and revealed the sweetest old
face ever saw.
"Never mind" said a quavering voice.
"'Tis only three o'clock now; you'll
have to wait until the night train, which
doesn't go up until :05.',
Every well, sir; I can wait"
''Wouldn't you like to 60 to some no
tel? Simons will show you the way"
ono, thank you, sir. One place is as
good as another to me. Beside, / haven't
any money
'Very we'll" said the agent, turning
away indifferently. "Simons will tell YOU
when it's time"
All the afternoon she sat there so quiet
that [ thought sometimes ste must be
asleep, but when [ looked more closely
could see every once in a while a great
tear roll down her cheek, which she would
wipe away hastily with her cotton hand
kerchief.
The depot was crowded, and all was
hustle and hurry until the $3.50 train go
ing East came due; then every passenger
left except the old lady. 1t is very rare
indeed that any one takes the night ex-
press, and almost always after I have
struck ten the depot becomes silent and
empty.
The ticket agent put on his great-coat,
and, bidding Simons keep his wits about
him for once in his life, departed for
home.
But he had no. sooner gone than that
functionary stretched himself out upon
the table-as usual-and began to snoro
vociferousy.
Then it was witnessed such a sight as
never had before and never expect to
again. The fire had gone down-it was
cold night, and the wind howled dismallv
outside. The lamps grew dim and hared
casting weird shadows upon the wall,
By-and by heard a smothered sob from
the corner; then another; looked in
that direction. She had risen from her
seat; and O! the look Of agony on the
pnor pinched face.
II can't believe it," she sobbed, wiring
ing her thin white hands. so! I can't
+. believe it! MY babies my babies! how
often have I held them in my arms and
kissed them: and how often they used to
say back to me, Else loves you, mammy;;'
and now. 0 God they've turned against
me. Where am going? To the poor.
house! No! no! no! l cannot! 1 will
not! q, the disgrace'
And sinking down upon her knees, she
sobbed out in prayer:
80, God, spare me this, and take me
home! 0, God, spare me this disgrace,
spare mel
Inc vino rose III higher and swept
through the crevices icy cold. How it
moaned, and seemed to sob like some.
thing human that is hurt. I began to-
shake, but the kneeling figure never stir
red. The thin! shawl had dropped from
her shoulders unheeded. Simons3 turned
over and drew his heavy blanket more
over him.
Q, how cold! Only one lamp remained
burning, dimly; the other two had gone
out for want.of oil. { could hardly see,
it was so dark.
At last she became quieter and ceased
tie moan. Then I grew drowsy, and kind
Of lost the run of things after had
struck twelve, when some one entered
the depot with a bright light. I started
up. 1t was the brightest light ever saw,