The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-07-25
A TRUE HEROINE.

morning to a small town in Pennsylva-
MIA, the seat of well-known law and di-
vinity college. [ was enabled by train
of fortunate circumstances to finish my
work much sooner than had thought
possible. end at three o'clock found my
self with absolutely nothing to do, and
the prospect of haviKg to wait three
hours and half for the train, which
did not leave until half past six.
The day was warm and the air of the
waiting-room at the depot simply intol-
or BILE. It's only other occupant beside
myself was an old Dutch woman with a
basket on her artli and the inevi able
calico sun bonnet on her head. She was
sitting close to the steam radiator, and
appeared half asleep.
Gong out on the platform, walked
up and down, enjoying the fresh air, but
feeling very tired, for had been obliged
to walk great deal during the morn
ing, and would have been glad to rest
now had been able TO find seat any
where exoept in that sitting waiting
room.
The railroad depot was situated on
the main street of the town, and, taking
a longer turn than usual, my eyes hap
pened to catch the sign, college Con-
fectionery," suspended over the door of
a small store not far away. The one
window was filled with boxes of con-
feet onery, sugared nuts. candy dogs,
chickens and cats, popcorn balls, and
brilliantly dyed Easter eggs. Thinking
[ would buy some fruit, / went into the
store, preceded by two little girls, one
OF whom had a cent, the proper spend
ing of which seemed to give them both
a great deal of anxiety. While they
were celebrating over the relative
merits of pink chicken and yellow
dog | had an opportunity to glance
about me.
The store was small, but exqu.sitely
heat, and back of it was large room
which looked very inviting with its easy
rocking chair, rag carpet; bright stove,
and well made bed. The broad sill of
the one window was filled with flower
ing plants, and above them hung
canary in a gilded cage.
The face of the little woman who
waited behind the counter was one of
expression of peace and quiet content
upon it such as l never saw equaIed.
Her pale golden hair was parted, and
drawn into shining coil at the back of
her small, shapely head, and the dark
serge dress she wore fitted her delicate,
youthful figure to perfection.
"Shall [ wait on you, now?' she
asked, as the children went out, and l
thought | had never heard voice
which fell more pleasantly on my ear.
| asked for some fruit, and then,
made bold by the thought of that close
waiGing-room, and the consciousness
of my weary limbs, ventured to ask if
l might rest awhile in the Darkroom.
''Certainly,' she answered, and took
mo in there at once, insisted on the re-
moval of my heavy ulster, drew out the
rocking-chair and foot-stool, and
brought me glass OF water, chatting
all the time in cordial way that made
me feel very much at home
81 know have asked great favor"
: said, 'but I am so tired, and | feel
sure that even half an hour in that
waiting-room would give me sick
headache, and | really couldn't make up
my mind to three hours"
Il am very glad to have you here
she said, and her tone had truthful
ring that there was no mistaking. "You
must excuse the looks of this room,
though. You see we use it for bed
room, parlor, dining-room and kitchen
combined" with little laugh.
''YoC are married, them" I said.
''You look very young"
'pve been married more than year,
and am twenty-four," she answered.
If you think look young, don't know
what you'll say to my husband. He is
just my sge, but he looks great deal
younger"
Then she glanced at the brightly bur-
nished stove, on which stood three ket-
ties containing respectively, purple,
red and yellow dye.
"He's been dyeing Easter eggs all
day." she said, +" and friend of his
Methodist minister came in, and they
went up to the college together to see
some of the boys"
:" Your husband keeps this store,
then, | said
mo, I keep it." she replied, and
then seeing, [ suppose, that l was in
terested, she told me that when she had
married her husband had been preach
ing in Methodist church near Phila-
delphia; but he had become very
anxious to take a college course, and in |
order to aid him in doing it she had
opened this little store.
=" We have been very successful"
she said. "We have been able to pay
all our expenses. OF course we have to |
economist, but that don't hurt us. l |
do all my own work, and that saves a |
good deal. And Viii gets up early |
every morning and chops wood, brings |
water and sweeps out the store.'
g Don't you get tired?" asked.
Eyes, sometimes. But then [ think |
how nice it is that l am able to help |
Will in this way, and how thankful I |
ought to be that we both have such |
good health, and how fortunate it is /
that Will can have a home instead of |
being obliged to live in college, where |
he would be so uncomfortable, and then |
I seem to feel rested. It's queer, isn't
it Pr
'And how long will you have to work
in this way ?''
"Only four years. Oh, that isn't long. |
It will soon be over, and then VIII is |
sure to have call. Why, often think /
that this is just the best kind of disci-
pine for me. And now want TO show