The daily gazette., 1882-01-17
A CUP OF Coid water.

A Cup OF Cold water.
1t was night at the Michigan Central
Station In Detrolt---late, dark, silent
night, and only few dim lights broke
the gloom into dense shadows that were
more fearful than utter darkness, and
no traveller was 90 unfortunate as to
be compelled TO linger In the dreary
place.
Al least, that was the Impression the
vast silence gave, but there we're two
travellers who, when DO trains we're
coming or guing, waited in the depot
through the chill morning hour. One
was man who had come BY the latest
train, and whom the conductor helped
into the depot, and who, through wearl-
ness, had fallen asleep on the cushion.
he was ticketad through, and his des-
tinnti0n was the grave; no one needed to
glance at him twice to see that he had
almost reached the end Of bis journey.
The other passenger was on the road
to ruin he, too, had nearly arrived at
the terminus; at least, his pallid, SIP
marked face, and III assorted, ragged
clothes seemed to indicate that he had
nearly touched tho foot OF the ladder;
the world had taken his measure and
named him "tramp," but he had wrought
his own ruin; lew and evil as he was,
he never blamed anyone but him
self.
THIS man bad been watching the
sleeper for o long time, had noted his
weakness, IBIS respectable appearance, and
that lie had watch chain at bis vest
pocket and q respectable satchel under
his head; and he crept nearer, nearer,
with one horrible thought uppermost--
be would rob tho dying man He had no
fear Of the act. He bueged the base
ness of II to his soul. But he did fear
that some one wOuld come In aud inter
rupt bis project. II the man movedf
Why, . turn Of the wrist at bis throat
would settle him.
He did not move. The tramp took the
salchel and the watch simultaneously,
and was ready to dy, but the sick man
merely groaned family as his head drep-
ped on the cushion. 10 the face Of actual
death be slept as quietly as child on Its
mothers breast.
As the tramp looked with greedy eyes
at the watch TO note its commercial val
ne he started and shiVered as II an
official hand had been laid on his shoHl-
| der, stared wildly at the face of the sick
man and back to the watch, which with
| open case lay on his hand, then he NUT
tered something that had the name Of
God In it, and instantly 1t was back In
the pocket OF the sick man, and the
sAtchel was under his head again.
What had he ssebp
The picture OF Q captain In tDe
Southern army, wearing the Confed-
crate uniform. A face that reaembled
that of q maa who, when he lay dying
of thirst, was about to be trausfxed
by Confederate bayonet, gave hlm Q
dTaught Of spring water, and, setting
him on his own horse, turned him u
the North, and said
"When you Sseet vanquishe6
man, spare him, as I have spared
you."
And he had raised his blue cap in the
air and sworn to remember.
Now they had met again,
An hour later o carriage drove il
haste to the depot, and Arst of all I
child came running in. She looked o.
the tramp q moment and hesitated
and then flung herself on the prostrat'
form.
, "Grandps, dear grandpa, wake up
We have come to take you home
grandpa"
A gentleman and lady hurried in.
"Fathsr," said the lady, kneeling b.
him, we missed the time, but We arr
here now. Do wake up"
The tramp was tanning him will
his cap . certain dignity vas in hi
face and manner as he did so. Th'
sick man opened his eyes, smiled feebl!
and said {:
"Give-me dlink-of-water."
The tramp brought the water ant
knelt as he lifted the helpless head ant
placed the cup Of water to the coli
lips. When he laid him back Their
was q smile sealed upon them, anC
the lady and the little girl Sobbe'
aloud.
The tramp rose to his feet, but hi
cringing manner was gone.
"rhe battle was most over" he said
gently. "He told mo to remember
! and | did. l would have died 70
him."
He has done better I; he has lived TO
I him, and men to1ch their hats 10 hin
now, who three months ago weul
have spurned him away from thei
= doors.
Romance, do you say ? No, m,
{ dear sir, it is reality I'm. Quad.