The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-11-07
A LITTLE GENTLEMAN.

BY Many Helpful Acts of Kindness He
Demonstrates His Right to the Title.
1t was on a hot, dusty day that first
saw the little gentleman l am going to
tell you about
To us who were being borne cityward
in the sw.ft-nying express train, it
seemed as il there was not breath of
air stirring. All the windows were wide
open, yet no cool and refreshing breeze
came IN to make our journey more en-
durable.
The car seemed to condense the heat
on It's shining surface, and radiate it
through its interior, and we felt as |
imagine a turkey must, if he were alive,
when he is put in one of the old
fashioned, shed-hke ovens our grand
mothers still love to use once in awhile,
just for the sake OF the good old days.
We went often from our uncomforta-
bleSgeats to the tank, but all the
water we drank could not keep out the
heat that seemed to make the air vibrate
about us, as you can see it on hot days
over stub Jie-tield.
The tain-boy brought in fans TO sell
by the armful, and we all patronized
him. For little while we stirred the
stagnant air vigorously with them.
Then the eXertion of using them became
too great, and they were dropped idly
in the seats, and we sat and sweltercd.
The train stopped at little country
station, and woman with a child came
into the car The woman was pale,
tired-loOking creature, and the child a
boy, was one of those tireless, uneasy
urchins, who want to be always on the
move.
The lady sat down YEARLY and lifted
the boy to a seat beside her with a look
that said she hoped he might 90 to sleep
soon. But nothing was further from
his thoughts Just then than nap. He
climbed up beside his mother, and in
sisted on standing at the window with
his head out of it, thus obliging her to
hold on to him.
please, Freddy, sit down by man.
ma, she said. You're such q bio
fellow that it's hard work to hold on to
you, and mamma is very tired. Won t
you, dear?'
81 want to look out and see things"
answered Freddy, too young and full of
spiritS to understand how any one could
be tired.
His mother gave a long sigh, as if she
saw that she must submit to the newt
able.
won't you come here and look out
of my Window" | asked, thinking l
was better able to keep the boy out of
mischief than his mother was.
Freddy looked at me for a moment
critically, then shook his head.
IN stay with mamma, he said
'I,m much obliged to you for pro-
posing TO take him off my hands, she
said. 81 have very bad headache,
and have tried to get him to sleep, but
he persists in keeping wide awake"
had not noticed the little gentleman
who sat opposite before. l think he
had come into the train at the same
station at which the woman did.
perhaps the little boy'll let me take
care of him." he said, pleasantly
"Won' t you, Freddy?'
Freddy looked him over for q mo-
Iaent, and got down from the window
and walked across the aisle to him.
"Yes, III stay with YOU" he said,
and allowed himself to be lifted into
the little gentleman scat.
you look as if you were almost tired
out the boy said to Freddy's mother
'.If you could sleep, it would rest you,
Pm sure. I'll see to this little fellow
for YOU
THANK you! you are very kind"
the weary woman answered, with q
sigh, "but he's too big u fellow for a
TITLE boy TO care for.
"Oh no, ma am, can get along with
him well enough" answered the little
fellow bravely. you go to sleep if you
can, and don't worry about Freddy
and me. If you'll let me, I'll take him
to the other end of the car, where his
talking won't be 50 likely to disturb
you"
'I'm not afraid to trust you with