South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-06-13
A Pleasing Incident,

Nlltinp IN u StaIlOu, Inc Otler QaV, 4
had little sermon preached in the way
like; and I'll report it for yout benefit.
because it taught one OF the lessons
which we all should learn, and taught
il Ia such natural. simple way that no
enc could forget it. II was black.
snowy day the train was late; the la
dies room dark and smoky and the do.
zen women, old and young who sat wal.
ting impatiently, all looked cross, low
spirited, or stupid. l felt all three and
thought, as looked around. that my fell
low-beings were very unamiable, unin.
teresting set.
Just then forlorn old woman, shak.
ing with palsy, came in with basket of
wares for sale. and went about mutely
offering them to sitteTs. Nobody bought
anything, and the poor old soul stood
blinking mt the door minute, as il re-
luctaut to 60 out into the bitter storm a.
gain. She turned pleasantly. and polxed
about the room. as IL trying To find
something aud then u pale lady in
black, who lay rs If asleep on sofa,
opened her eyes, saw the old woman. and
instantly asked, IN kind tone have
you lost anything ma'am2'
No. my dear. Pm looking for the
heatin' place, 10 have warm fore |
goes out again. My eyes are poor and
! don't seem TO find the furnace no
where's
'Here it is and the lady led her to the
steam radiator, placed chair, and show.
ed her how to warm her feet.
Well, now, amt that nice = said the
old woman, spreading her ragged nit
tens To dry. 'rhanIly, dear this is
proper comfortable, amt IL? I'm most
troze to-day, being lame and wimbly,
and not selling much makes me kind of
downhearted.'
The lady smiled, went TO the counter,
bought n cup of tea and some sort of
food, carried it herself to the old woman.
and said, Us respectfully s. kindly as if
the poor woman had dressed in silk and
fur, Will you have cup of tea? It's
very comforting such day as this
'Sakes alive do they give tea at this
depot? cried the old lady, in tone of
innocent surprise that made smile 90
round the room, touching the glummest
face like = streak Of sunshine. We'll,
now, this is just lovely added the lady,
slipping away with relish This does
warm the cookies OF my hearth
While she refreshed herself, telling
her story meanwhile, the lady looked
over the poor little wares in the basket,
bought soap and pins, sAoe.strings and
tape, and cheered tie old soul by paying
we'll for them.
As watched her doing this, | thought
what q sweet face she had, though had
not considered her rather plain face be-
fore. | felt dreadfully ashamed of my
self that l had grinly shaken my head
when the basket was offered TO me and
as saw the look OF interest, sympathy
and kindness come into the dismal faces
all around Inc, / did wish that had
been the magician TO call it out. II was
only kind word and friendly act, but
somehow frightened that diugy room
wonderfully. 1t changed the faces of n
! dozen women, and think il touched =
! dozen hearts, for | saw many eyes fol.
loving the plain, pale lady with sudden
respect and when the Oil woman got up
to 90, several persons beckoned TO her
and bought something, rs il they wanted
I to repair their negligence.
Old bogger women are not romantic /;
neither are cups OF tea, boot-laces, and
colored soap. There were no gentle.
men present to be impressed with the
/ lady's kind act, 50 il wasn't done for ef-
feet; aud no possible reward could be
received for it except the ungrammati-
cal thanks Of ragged old woman. But
that simple little charity was rs good 60 q
| sermon TO those who saw il, and I think
each traveller wen, on her way better for
that half-hour il the dreary station. ]
can testify that one OF them did, and
nothing but the emptiness Of her purse
prevented her from comforting the cock.
les of the heart OF every forlorn old wo-
man she met for a week after.