The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1882-02-16
A Cup OF Cold Water.

1t "as night at the Michigan Central
Station in Detroit-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 so unfortunate as to be com.
peiled 10 linger in the dreary place.
AT least that was the impression the
vast silence gave; but there were two
travellers who, when no trains were com.
iEig or going, waited in the depot through
the chill morning hour. One was n man
who had come by the latest train. and
whom the conductor had helped into the
depot, and who, through weariness. had
fallen asleep on tho cushion. He was
ticketed through, and his destination was
the grave; no one needed to glance Mt
him twice to see that he had almost
reached the end of his last journey.
ihe other passenger was On the road TO
rum he, Too, had nearly arrived at the
terminus-at least his pallid, sun. marked
lace, and ill.assorted, ragged clothes
seemed to indicate that he had nearly
touched the foot OF the ladder; the world
had taken his measure and named him
tramp" but he had wrought his own
ruin; low and evil rs he was he never
blamed any one but himself.
This man had BEEN watching the
sleeper for long u,le, had noted his
weakness, his resp actable appearance.
and that he had q watch chain at his vest
pocket, and respectable satchel under
his head; and he crept near, nearer, with
the one horrible thought upppermost-he
would rob The dying man He had no
fear OF the act. He hugged tho baseness
OF 1t to his soul. But he did fear that
some one would come in and interrupt
his project. If the man moved? Why.
turn of the wrist at his throat would
settle him.
he did not move. The tramp took the
satchel and the watch simultaneously
and was ready to fly, but tho sick man
merely groaned family as his head
dropped On the cushion. In the face of
actual death he slept as quietly as child
on its mothers breast.
AS the tramp looked with greedy eyes
at the watch to note its commercial value
he started and shivercd as if ar official
hand had been laid on his shoulder.
stared wildly at the face of the sick man
and back to the watch, which, with opcn
case, lay In his hand then he muttered
something that had the name of God in
1t, and instantly it was back in the pocket
OF the sick man, aud the satchel WAS
under his head again.
What had Is seen?
The picture OF a Captain in the South.
ern army, wearing the Confederate uni.
form. A face that rescmbled that of a
man who, when he lay dying of thirst
and was about tc be .ransGxca by L rebel
bayonet, gave him draught of spring
water, and, setting him on his own horse.
turned him to the North and said:
when you meet vanQuished man.
spare him rs l 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 n carriage drove in haste
TO the depot, and first of all q child came
running in. She looked at tho tramp a
moment and hesitated, then flung herself
on the PROSTATE man.
Grandpa J dear grandpa wake up,
VIC have come to take you home"
gentleman and lady hurried in.
Father" said the lady, kneeling by
him, 1--WE missed the time, but here we
are now. Do wake upJ
Inc tramp was flaming him with his
cap, a certain dignity was in his face az
he did so. The sick man opcnc6 his
eyes, smiled feebly, and said:
"Give-me-a-drink-of-water."
The tramp brought the water, and
knelt as he lifted the helpless head and
placed the cup of water to the cold lips.
When he laid him back there was a smile
sealed npon .hea, and the lady and the
little girl sobbed aloud.
The tramp rose to his feet, but his
cringing manner was gone.
"rhe battle is most over" he said.
gently. "He told me TO remember. and
did. would have died for him.
He has done better; lie has lived for
him, and men touch their hats to him
now who, three months ago, would have
spurned him from their doors.
Romance, do you say7 No, my dear
sir, it is reality.-DetroH Free Press.