The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-06-14
A Little Sermon.

At railroad station, a few months ago,
one of the beautiful lessons which all
should learn was taught in such q natural,
simple way, that none could forget it. 1t
was bleak, snowy day, the train was late,
ladies' room dark and smoky, and the doz-
en- women, old and young, who sat wait
ing impatiently, all looked cross, ow.spir-
tied or stupid. Just then forlorn old
woman, shaking with the palsy, came in
with basket of little wares for sale, and
went about mutely offering them to the
sitters. Nobody bought anything and the
poor old soul stood blinking at the door a
minute as if reluctant to 60 out in the bit
ter storm again. She turned presently and
poked about the room as if trying to find
something, and then lady in black, who
lay as If asleep on sofa, opened her eyes,
saw the old woman, and instantly asked
in kind tone, "Have you lost anything,
ma am ~
mo, dear, Pm looking for the heating
place, to have warm fore 60 cut again.
My eyes are poor, and don't seem to find
the furnace nowhere"
"Here il is" and the lady led her to the
steam radiator, placed chair and showed
her how to warm her feet.
"Well, now, amt that nice 2" said the
old woman, spreading her ragged mittens
to dry. "Thank'ee, dear; this is proper
comfortable, amt it9 Pm most froze to
day, bein' lame and aching and not sell
ing much made me sort of downheart-
cd"
The lady smiled, went to the counter,
bought cup of tea and some sort of food,
carried it herself to the old woman and
said, as respectfully and kindly as if the
poor soul had been dressed in silk and
fur, "Wont you have cup of hot tea q
It's very comforting such day as this"
"Sakes alive! do they give tea at this
depot 2" cried the old lady in an innocent
surprise, that made smile 60 round the
room, touching the glummest face like a
streak of sunshine. "Well now, this is
just lovely" added the old lady, slipping
away with relish. "That does warm my
heart"
While she refreshed herself telling 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 we'll for them. AS watch
ed her doing this l thought what sweet
face she had, though 1 considered her
rather plain before. l felt dreadfully
ashamed of myself that I had grimly shak-
en- my head when the basket was offered
to me; and as l saw a look of interest,
sympathy and kindness come into faces
around me, did wish that had been the
magician that called it out 1t was only
kind word and friendly act but somehow
it frightened that dingy room wonderfully.
1t changed the faces of dozen women,
and think it touched dozen hearts, for
l saw many eyes follow the plain, pale lady
with sudden respect; and when the old
woman, with many thanks, got up to go,
several persons beckoned to her and
bought something, as if they wanted to re-
pair their negligence. There was no gen.
tleman present to be impressed 10y the la
dy's kind act so it was not done for effect,
and no possible reward could be received
for it except the thanks of poor old wo-
man. But that simple little charity was as
good as a sermon, and think each trav-
eler went on her way better for that half
hour in that dreary station.