The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-04-15
Srlert Story,
A THRILLING, INCIDENT.

tsr..s 4 |.ss.,.
In the winter Of 1870 I-had -occasion n
to go from Green Bay to Chicago. on
the Northwestern Railway. Al Oshkosh
we were rejoined by a delegation OF law
yers, on their wav to Madison. the capi.
tai, to attend the Legislature then in ses
sion. They were all men of more than
usual intellect and of exceptional char.
acter. Two were ex judges Of the cir
cult court, and one have seen chairman
of the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton. The party found seats near to-
gether,a and after the first salutations were
over and the news duly discussed, they
begun to lcok about for means to whilr
away the time. After awhile some one
proposed game of cards. No sooner
said than done. Two seats were turned
apart so as to face each other, a cushion
irnprovised for table, and three of our
lawyers, including the chairman of the
Young Mems Christian Association. and
Chicago runner on good terms With
them, were soon deep in the mysteries OF
a game of euchre. $50 al
l was surprised to see Christian gen.
llemen and judges of equity. leaders Of
society, makers Of public sentiment, law
giyers for great Sta.e, directors of pub.
lie morals, supposed to be public exem-
plars of all that is good, and guides to
the young miEd-thus setting publicly
their seal OF approval to most danger.
Gus and evil practice. To be sure they
played for stakes no higher than the ci.
gars for the party. But it seems 10 me
that in the eyes of all discreet persons
this does not change the act nor lessen
the danger of the example, but rather
heighlens it,as from the less to the great
er is the invsriable course of crime But
| did not intend 10 moral z, on paper,
hnt was about to say that while ] was
filled with such thoughts as these, one OF
the party grew tired OF the game, and
our remaining Judge was invited to take
his place. saw the blood mount in an
honest blush OF disapprovsl to his manly
face, and he hesitated and drew back =
But the game had become interesting, and
his excited companions urged him.
Come, Judge, take hand, they cried
1--WE can't go on without you" So the
judge rose slowly from his seat, inward.
ly condemning the act, as all evidently
saw, and stepping forward took seat
among the players, and the game went
on.
l had noticed an old lady in seat to
the rear of the players, who had gone on
board at Kenosho, I believe Gray and
bent with age, she had sat abashed and
with eyes closed, seemed asleep most Of
the time until the train, stopping at Osh
kosh, took on board the company oI
lawyers. She then underwent change
and became greatly interested in the
company, looking often from one to the
other as if she recognized them all, Oh
was trying to recall their faces. Wher
the game of cards was started she be
came very restless, would hitch uneasily
in her seat, take up the hem of her fadef
apron, and neivously bite the threads =
Unce or twice thought she wiped hel
eyes under her "Shaker bonnet" bu
could not tell. She acted so strangely
| | became more interested in ner than in
the players, and watched her closely
She got up after time and tottered for
ward, holding on to the seats as sht
passed. She brushed against Judg,
- in nasaino. hut he had hecome in
terested in the game and did not notic'
her. Reaching the water-tank at last
she drank cup OF water and took sea
near the door, with her back to the play
ers. But she did not long remain there
Rising again with difficulty she tottere'
back toward her former seat, but reach
ing the players she paused directly il
front of them, and now greatly excitet
threw back her bonnet from her face ant
looked around the company. Her actor
at once arrested their attention, ant