Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-04-06
TOUCHED TO THE HEART.

I'm not a romantic man, and if
had any leaning in that direction.
few Monday morning visits an
reprimands from the board of director
would soon have cured me of the fail
ing; but somehow or other, hav
found out that railway men are mad
OF the same stuff as other men, ant
have hearts under their uniform coats
1t was no business IF mine if. Will,
a was at the London terminus of tn,
Great Dividend and Longshare Rail
'way-I examined the tickets and un
locked the carriages on the departure
Splatforn-it was no business of maine
II a tall, fair girl, in deep mourning
came twice a week regularly, and
showed mo her ticket for Westgate
return, second class. But somehow
1t seemed to be my business, when /
had unlocked an empty carriage and
handed her in as soon as could, that
Il should lock the door without bang
ing IL, and then take care that no one
else entered but lady-like females. IOf
course 4 could not help it, but from
the very first day-cold, wintery day
when, thinly dressed, she came SILVER
ing along the platform, 1 seemed to
have some strange interest in her; and.
as the weeks slipped by, found my.
self looking for her regularly. It was
easy to see. from the music-roll she
carried, and the return ticket, that
she went down the line to give les
sons.
called myself fool, and thought
OF my salary as a guard, and my posi-
zion In life as compared with the grace
tul, lady-like girl who used to come
noating along towards me every Mon
day and Wednesday morning, looking
so pale, and sad, and C. reworn, that 1
began by plying her, and ended by
well, never mind now.
One cold December day 1 was shift
ed for a week on the arrival platform.
and so missed seeing her leave; but
carefully watched every train that
came TO the depot till saw her get
out. Without seeing me she burned
away. Well, there was nothing to
sigh for there, you will say; but 1 did
sigh all the same. and was turning
away when 1 saw the searching por-
Ter with music-rOll in his hand, which
some one had left in a carriage.
Herel L know who that belongs
TO" | said, snatching it from him; and
then, seeing that he was going to make
a bother, l slipped sixpence into his
thand and ran out of the station.
Just in time; could see her at the
bottom of the street, and catching hold
OF one OF the boys hanging about for a
y job. pointed the tall figure out, and
told him to follow her to where she
lived. and come back and tell me.
And not send the music roll? No;
! meant TO take that. 1 did not know
why, but thereseemed to be something
pleasaDtin the idea of being servant
\Sc drer. and waiting On her; and L kept
telling myself so az walked back to
attend to my duties.
Next morning was in a quiet, shah
10y, lodging letting place leading out of
. Cover street north. with the muSic roll
/ in my hand, looking out for No 81. 1t
, was cosy enough TO find. but something
seened.to make me walk past three or
four times before 1 could summon
courage enough to get up and ring.
But at last i did, thinking how foolish
! IL was, when had only to deliver the
. Lost parcel and come away.
So rang gently and waited; and
I then a Ned-faced woman came to the
, d00r.
-SYOV have young lady here who
teaches music"
second floor, front" she said, snap
IpjShly. why don't you knock twice
E3elrs for The ground floor. There, &c
upl'
1took off my cap, wiped my shoes
and feeling ashamed of my uniforH
for the first time in my life, went slow
~ up to the second floor and theI
stopped; for could bear piano, ant
the sweetest Voice l ever heard wa
singing to it in low tone. stopped
and listening and drinking in the swee
sounds with my heart beating heavily
for 1t was long way up; aud shoul'
lhsVe stopped longer, had not hear
some one coming up the stairs. The
Il knocked, and voice CRIED
~'Come IMP
/ turned the handle two or thre
times, for it was old and worn, All
then entering. stood blushing like
great girl, and trembling before th
Tall. pale lady, and some one lying VI
on a sofa, in front of very miSerab
TIRE.
SUCH bare, chill room, and so col
and pale both the inmates looked, as
stood observing all could in the fir
glance.
20 mamma, the music" cried Il
pale girl, rising from her seat by Il
piano and running towards me; al
then as clumsily held it out, sa
that was recognized, as she thank
Ene for bringing it, and also for VIII