The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-07-30

to look at the end window of the chr
which was at the rear.
''Don't you see The old party at the
back of the two fat women in the red
shawls. She's haranguing Jones now."
81 soc" said T. 1t was little old
woman in black silk poke-bonnet, re-
spectacle cloth cloak, borlered with an
cient fur, and long green veil, who was
earnestly talking and gcsticulating with
tho conductor. But he shook his head
and passed on, and she sank back in a
helpless little heap behind the green
veil, and could SEQ her take small
handkerchief from small basket and
put it piteously to her eyes.
cts too bad" said 1. "Jones might
remember that he once had-if he hasn't
got nova mother of his own."
"And lose his place on the road, "said
Mills, "No, no, old fellow, all that
sort OF thing does very well to talk about,
but it don't work in real life."
80 he went into tho next car, and the
signal to slack up came presently. I
turned to Mr.. Jones, the conductor. who
just then stepped ont on the platform.
cts it for that old lady?" snid L. He
answered, eyes" Said I, ''How far did
she want to go?" '"ro Swampscott. /"
snid he.
"You needn't stop, Mr.. JONES'" said
I, 'T'll pay her fare"
'You!" he echoed
Eyes, L, said I. "I'll take her to my
own house, until she can telegraph to
her friends or something. My wife will
be good to her, 1 know, for the sake of
her own old mother out Vest"
Just as you please," said Mr.. Jones,
''But when you've been Oh the road as
long as [ have, you'll find that this sort
of thing doesn't answer"
81 hope L shall never be on the road
too long to forget my Christian charity"
L answered, n little ncttled. And took
out my worn pocket-book and handed
over the money.
We did not stop at Stumpville Station
after all, but put OH more steam and ran
rs fast rs it was safe to drive our engine
and when, II little past midnight, we
reached Swampscott, where we were due
Mt 7:30, Pierre Rene, the Frenchman,
came on board to relieve me, and I help
ed my old lady off the train, fiat basket,
travelling bag and all.
cam to be put off after ALP" said she.
with scared look around her.
"Cheer up, ma'am," said I, "You are
IL
step! Here We are.'
'*~-a- II 11
cat Swampscott, ma'am," said I.
my fare?" said she. "But my daughter
and her husband will repay you when-"
"All right, ma am, said 1. "And now,
if you'll just take my arm, We'll be home
in quarter of IN hour"
But" said she, "why can't L go di-
rectly to my destinntion?"
cts middling late, ma'am," said I.
"And houses don't stand shoulder to
shoulder in Swampscott. My nearest
ncighbor is mile and a-half away. But
never fear, ma'am, I've wife that will
be glad to bid you welcome for the sake
of her own mother"
She murmurcd n few words of thanks,
but she was old and weary, and the path
was rough and uneven, in the very teeth
of the keen November blast--nnd walk
ing wasn't M easy task. And presently,
we came to the little cottage on the edge
of the Swampscott woods, where the
light glowcd warmly through the Turkey
red curtains.
ooh, Mark, dearest, how late you are?"
cried Kate, making haste to open the
door "Come in, quick, out of the
wind. Supper is all ready, and-but who
is that with you?"
In n hurried whisper I told her all.
"Did I do right, cKatie,?" said I.
"Right OF conre You did, snid she.
"Ask her to come in Mt once. And I'll
put another cup and saucer OH the table. !"
Tenderly I assisted the chilled and
weary old lady across the threshold.
"Here's my wife," said T. "And
here's cup of smoking hot coffee and
some of Katie's own biscuits and chicken
pie! You'll be NIL right when the cold
is out Of your joints bit!'
"You are very, very welcome" said
Kate, brightly, as she advanced to unite
our visitors veil and loosen the folds Of
her cloak. But, all of sudden, heard
q CRY, "Mothcr, oh, mothcr!"
And looking around, saw Kate and
the old lady clasped in each others arms.
"Hold on, Katc!" said I, with the
coffec-pot still in my hand, rs 7 had been
lifting it from tho fire. '"Fhis is never"
"Bnt it is, Mark!" cried out Kate,
brcathlcssly. Tts mother; my own
mother! Oh, help me, dearest, quickly;
she has tainted away!
. But she was all right again, presently,
sitting by the fire with her feet on one Of
tho warm cushions, which Kate had knit
on wooden needles, and drinking hot
coffee. It was all true. The unfortunate
passenger whose pocket had been picked
on the train, and to whose rescue had