The National tribune., 1884-05-29
LOYAL W0MRN'S WORK
A Travellers Observations Expert
/. enee Meeiing---Relief Corps Notes.
conducted by Ratc B. S.e,qooOd.l


To The Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
A few weeks since l made journey of between
one and two hundred miles. Being unacquainted
with any the train, amused and interested
myself with the going out and coming IN of the
various passengers at the way stations. At one OF
our stopping places there came into the car young
girl, not more than fifteen sixteen years OF age
She was remarkably pretty, with fair complexion,
hazel eyes, and soft brown hair sweet, pure face,
indicating a refined nature Her travelling costume
was of brown, with hat and feathers to match, ard
on the silver plate of her satchei engraved the
name Of Nellie" Mousquetaire gloves, gold
watch and chain at her belt and handsome tray
cling shawl completed the attractive appearance of
this young dansel As grow older youth seems
more beautiful TO me- and am irresistbly drawn
TO young face IN either man or woman. And SO
speculated as to the history of this young girl;
imagined her the child of wealthy parents, the
idol in loving home, the center of social life
among those of her own age
As the train stopped al small town, young
man appeared at the door OF the car, and took a
brief but comprehensive survey of the situation.
Seven or eight of the seats had but one occupant
each.-all gentlemen.--but the young man, with al
easy grace marched directly TO the seat where the
young lady sat, and with most deiIerentlal man
ner touched his hat and asked permission to SIT
beside her. She blushed, looked surprised, and
hesitating a moment, bowed her assent.
He was handsome fellow, between twenty-five
ana thirty years OF age; perfect blonde, with
large, expressive eyes; a soft, sllken rnustaehe,
shading a mouth filled with perfect, white teeth;
well dressed, eXquisitely neat and seemed gen.
tleman But his manner did not deceive
my old eyes nor my lntultlve sense, that ike ms
great prototype, he was going about seeking
whom he might deyour.'
He talked of the swelling buds of the forest
trees and of the delicate flowers by the roadside
the gardens, the crops, &c. AS sat directly be-
mind them, L could hear his remarks very dis
tinctly.
Soon he rested his elbow the back of the seat;
then his gradually extended itself until he
almost encircled the girls shoulders. His head
bent lower and nearer her face and he dropped his
voice TO so low key could hear no more. his
eyes made me think of lecture once heard by
Emerson, in which he spoke OF eyes that attracted,
that hesought. persuaded beguiled and fascinated.
And il seemed TO me that there was no expression
sDossihe to eyes that this did not bring TO bear
upon this young, innocent girl.
THE POOR THING!
She shrank into the corner of her seat, blushed
painfully, pleased, yet afraid" Tepelled, yet at
tTacted. She tried to free herself from his infiu-
ence-Iooked out of the window, hummed little
tune. But he saw his power over her, and persist
ed in his attentions. not ready to give up amusing
himself for passing hour. He drew closer to her
side, and. when apparently desirous to emphasize
a sentence, would press his hand on her shoulder,
his arm now quite encircling the back of the seat.
lady sitting behind me leaned forward and
said /" Can't you say something to that girl? l
said, i have been wondering for some minutes
what was best to do whether to speak to the young
man or call the conductor. We edo not wish to make
know what 10 do. She is attered by his attentions.
You that And she is frightened too. But she
viii know better how TO travel when she is year
or two older.n replied, =" The girl makes
plant and no appeal for protection and am not
called upon to interfere unless she does' Well,
don't know as you can do anything to help her,
! but he Is a good-for-nothing scamp don't care
4 how handsome or how well-dressed he is. Wonder
! ii he has any mother or sisters
kept q close watch the scamp He impu-
! IDENTIFY played with her watch chain gathered two
or three stray hairs from her shoulder, and tied
them IN his button-hole for bouquet of remem-
/ brance," he told her. He aggressive and i'm
pertinent without being vulgar coarse. witty
and original in his remarks, and with his attractive
! physique and manner, most dangerous man to a
young, unsophisticated girl.
The train stopped few miles from my destina-
4 ton+ and the girl arose. and with pleased
ious, flushed face. gathered up her belongings and
passed out OF the ear. The fellow followed her.
saw hln1 order carriage, hand in the girl and
seat himself beside her and they drove of together
hope she reached home or friends in safety but
il was a singular circumstance that this young man
should feel called upon TO leave the train with
4 young girl whom he had not seen over two or
three hours, and assume the liberty Of ordering
carriage, and drive of, seated by her side.
THE MORAL OF IT.
Ny story has moral for girls and, allow me to
add, for parents and guardians well. No young
escort. unless placed under the special charge of
| the conductor - some responsible person con-
neeted with the railroad, boat or stage coach as
/ the case may be. This IS absolute necessity to
/ prevent inperiinence, familiarity or insult
Americans boast of the perfect security with
which our women can travel from Maine to Cali
fornia. And 50 they can, if they old enough
( and have sufficient experience to protect them
| selves But young girls are too ignorant of the
/
| ward of such intrusions. If parents
| less unwise TO neglect proper precautions
| then, my dear girls, let me tell you what to do
Upon entering a car find the conductor, and say,
/ Il alone; viii you that L an protected to
the end OF my Journey Or, If on steamer. make
known your desires to the captain or clerk have
! known a hundred cases where young girls have
thus scamed the protection of the officials in charge
/ and never in one instance has the trust been
1 abused Conductors a chivalric set of men
/ where a woman Is concerned, even though they
/ may be rough and sharp among their fellows.
This last sentence brings to mind case which
illustrates my meaning wei. viii give my
readers the benefit of II. il is Of recent occur
I renee. il was told me by the conductor himself
who was the principal actor IN the affair only two
or three weeks ago.
THE CONDUCTORS STORY.
This conductor was passing through the car col
| lecting tickets, when he very handsome
young lady sitting ~ seat alone, and he thought,
: viii seeshe isnot annoyed" At the next station,
as he passed along. he noticed dashing loud
dressed y young chap had come into the car re-
versed the seat and was sitting directly facing the
lady. She was looking out Of the window, and
apparently not observing the young man The
next time he went through the he noticed the
fellow had a newspaper, pretending 10 read but
his eyes were just above the top of the page, and
he staring at the lady. At the next station he
saw the lady had covered her face with a veil the
fellow lounging back in his seat with a sarcastic
smile on his face as though he had done smart
thing" The conductor stepped up to the lady and
said: DO you know this man ? " Never saw
HIM before" Does he annoy your" :" Terribly; u
and, bursting into tears she said Do please find
me another seat. j am absolutely afraid Of him,
and the car is so full don't know where to go'i
The conductor turned to the man and said: Just
get Out of this about you can. Go 10 the
forward end Of the and if catch you looking
at another woman on this train I'll put you off al
The next stopping place" We'll, paid for my
seat. and blankety blank, I'll sit where please
To which the conductor replied: . You viii not
SIT where you please 10 Insult ladies under my
care III take you by the napc of the neck and
drop you from the train like dog, IL you don't go
at once TO the other end Of the carr " I'll report
1 you to the directors" Do. ] wish you would
you could not do me greater favor. IL would be
a big card for me-" The young fellow got mp. anC
with n hang-dog look went as he was directed
But every time the conductor passed him he woulC
nlutter oath and say: " I'll pay you for this
IN be even with you The young lady was pro
fuse ia her grateful thanks and the conductor TOLD
her always 10 place herself in travelling in thi
care Of some Of The officials IN charge and then sh
would have no further trouble
AUET DAGoS.
The Household.
NATIONAL PRESIDENTS cAKE-MRs. BARKER
RECIPE.
Mrs Z. Florence Barl1er's housekeeping i
quite as famous as her executive care for tn
, Grand Army, and the recipe she sends can b.
! relied upon. Mrs. Barker, in sending it, says
A. aufar4ost Tho NyogE,,og F,.l;af f....