American citizen., 1879-02-08
THE TICKET AGENT.

-Sdiite NJ b. Psdn, IN Fe0rudry atlantic.
THE TICKET AGENT.
Western train gone, ma'am," said
Farmer Brown, coming into the waiting
room of the little depot.
"The train 1 was to take?" said,
gaspiug.
Yes, ma'am. Too bad, but can't be
helped. Harness will give out some
times, you know" said he sympathiz-
ingly.
"When is the next Western train
due?'
"Not until O'Clock; you've FIVE
hours to wait. Be dresdfui tiresome,
ma'am. There's a nice family that lives
in t'other part of the house. 'SpOse l
tote yoG in there. know Mrs. Holly'll
give you bite o. suthin' to eat, and
she'll be proud to let you rest on her
spare bed. Fine woman, Mrs. Holly is; !;
I know her. Wort you go in and see
her, ma'amP"
"No, thank you, sir; 1 dare say that
I'll be quite comfortable here"
"Waal, jes' as you please. But now
1 must be goin'. Hope you'll git to
your journeys end safe ma'am. Good
by!" rr-
And Farmer Brown left the room,
mounted his wagon, and soon disap-
peared down the dusty road.
1 had been visiting friend who
lived in a country settlement, some five
or six miles from the solitary building
dignified by the name of depot; and,
when the time came for me to return
home, she placed me in care of a
neighboring farmer who was going to a
distant village, and would pass the sta
ton. During our ride we met with an
accident. Part of the harness gave way,
and we were detained such length of
time that. as the reader knows, 1 was too
late for the train.
After Farmer Brown left me amused
myself by reading a newspaper which
some one had left lying on the seat.
Finishing this, studied the design of
the wallpaper, counted the panes of
glass in the little window, and wonder
ed at the tidiness of the whole apart
ment.
"Country depots are generally such
vile, dirty places; wonder why this is
an exceptionp" said to myself. Then
. thought struck me. "Oh, probably
the place is kept clean by Mrs. Holly,
over whose virtues Farmer Brown was
so enthusiastic. Wonder if this same
worthy female would give me glass of
water?"
And tapped on the door communi-
eating with the other apartments.
"Come in," said a CHEEKY voice, and,
entering. / found myself, in one of the
prettiest, contest rooms had ever seen.
The most delicious tint of buff was on
the walls; cool mating covered the
floor; muslin curtains, festooned with
ivy, hung at the windows; pictures and
and all the dainty belongings
that make a room look so honey and
pleasant. And, most charming of all,
there lay in white-draped cradle rosy
baby, fast asleep, with rings of golden
hair falling over his white brow, and a
great, red, velvet rose clasped in his
dimpled hand. Over him bent q woman
Of ~ or % years-a little mite of wom-
an, with bright, dark face, wildly col
ored, big black eyes, and wondrous dark
hair wound in heavy braids about her
s.ately head. She arose with a smile
when entered.
"Excuse me; but may trouble you
Ior q glass of water?'' said.
"No trouble at all, ma'am. Pray be |
,eated. Excuse me-'' And she left the
-oom.
Presently she returned bringing a
,alver covered with snow-white nap
kin, and containing glass of water, a
ylass of creamy milk, saucer of lus-
,ious strawberries, and plate of sponge
;ake light as yellow foam.
Pardon me-" she seid, smiling, if
take too great q liberty, but, you see,
Farmer Brown told me of your being
obliged to wait SO long, and 1 thought
'ou might be hungry"
"why, how very kind you are!" I
acclaimed in pleased surprise.
"Not at all; it's pleasure to me. II
'ou are hot and dusty. perhaps you'd
Ike to bathe your face. II SO, just step
n here"
And she led the way into little white
very heart of cleanliness
nd purity. rt l.