St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1885-11-07
YOUTHS DEPARTMENT.
THE LITTLE GENTLEMAN.

Bv Many Helpful Acts of Kindness He
Demonstrates His Right to the Title
1t was on hot, dusty day that I first
saw the little gentleman | am going to
tell you about.
To us who were being borne cityward
| in the swift-hying express train, it
seemed as if there was not q breath of
air stirring. All the windows We're wide
omen, vet no cool and refreshing breeze
came in to make our journey more en-
durable.
The car seemed to condsnse the heat
on its shining surface, and radiate it
through its interior. and we felt as |
imagine turkey must, if he were alive,
when he is put in one of the old
fashioned, shed-like ovens our grand
mothers still love to use once in awhile,
lust for the sake of the good old days.
We went often from our uncomtorta-
HE seats to the water tank, but all the
water we drank could not keep out the
heat that seemed to make the air vibrate
ahout us. as YOU can see it on hot days
over a stubble-tield.
The train-boy brought in fans to sell
bv the armful, and we all patronized
him, For little while we stirred the
stapnant 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 sWeltered.
The train stopped at little country
station, and woman with child came
/ into the car. The woman was pale,
| tired-looking creature, and the child,
bow, was one of those tireless, uneasy
urchins, who want to be always on the
move.
The lady sat down YEARLY and lifted
the bov to seat beside her with look
that said she hoped he might go 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 NAM
MAJ she said. You're such big
fellow that it's hard work to hold on to
YOU, and mamma is very tired. Won't
| you, dear?'' ;.
II 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 long sigh, as if she
saw that she must submit to the newt
able.
''Won't you come here and look out
| of nv window?' / asked, thinking |
was better able to keep the boy out of
/ mischief than his mother was.
Freddy looked at me for moment
critically, then shook his head.
sI'll stay with mamma, he said.
sI'm much obliged to you for pro
posing to take him off my hands, = she
said. Il have very bad headache,
and have tried to get him to sleep, but
be persists in keeping wide awake"
Ihad 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'l let me take
care of him." he said, pleasantly.
won't you, Freddy?''
Freddy looked him over for a mo-
ment, and got down from the window
and walked across the aisle to him.
''Yes, I'll stay with you,' he said,
and allowed himself to be lifted into
the little gentleman's seat
'sYou look as if you were almost tired
out, the boy said to Freddy's mother.
IF you could sleep, it would rest you,
Tn sure. III see to this little fellow
for you. y
Thank you! you are very kind -
che weary woman answered, with q
sigh, ''but he's too big 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 SO likely to disturb
you"
'I'n not afraid to trust you with
him. she answered, for the manly
look on the lads face gave full assur-
ance OF his character and trustworthi-
ness. If you are sure he won't be
too much trouble to you''--
'Tn risk that" answered the little
gentleman. "Come, Freddy" and
taking hold of the boys hand, he led
him to the other end of the car, and the
tired mother lay back in the seat and
closed her eyes.
Freddy had wants by the dozen, and
his self-constituted guardian attended
to them patiently. By and by there
were signs of lull in the demand on
| his attention, and with ready tact he
| proposed to tell stories if the other
would listen, and Freddy allowed him
self to be coaxed into reclining atti-
| tude. Then the storytelling began,
/ and before the first story ended. Freddy
was asleep.
II was sure could get him to Sleep
said the little gentleman to me, with a