The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-24
A PLEASANT STORY.
HI Hals,on, in New York Times. l

lHals,on, in New York Times
 A Madison avenue girl tells a pleasant little story of one of the incidents of a trip down sorth. This young woman, as noted for her impalsive nature as tor her charity, was sojourning at a small Mis-. sissippi town recently. In taking her usual rapable one balmy morning she came across a poverty-stricken negro wench, who, crouched beside a white washed milestone, was crooning away in true darky style.
 "What's the matter, my good woman P asks the northern girl.
 "Oh, missy, I'se been doin' laundry york up at de hotel, bur dey won't hab me dah no mo-"
 "Why won't they give you more work p
 "'Kaise I'se done hab de teber, n I'se all worn away, missy"
 "Well, but why don't you go to the hospital or rest at home until your strength returns 2'
 "Dar's no place fur me dah, missy, n ole Sam's done gone las spring. De cabins 'way of yonder. Nobody's come dar, n l'se bin tryin' to get inter town"
 While old aunty was elaborating her story, a tall, slender white man, with cane under his arm, was passing up and down a short distance away, in deep medita- ton. The maiden's sympathy for the unfortunate creature, bending before her with wistful eyes upturned, had long since been aroused. The answers to each of the questions put to the crone had dis closed the fact that nothing but stark famine could have raised the figure by the milestone from her wretched cabin pallet.
 My informant says that the old picture of" Uncle Tom Lying in Legree's work house sick unto death instantly forced its way into her mind. She thrust her hand into her walking dress pocket for her purse. To her extreme mortified ton and regret, it wasn't there. She ut- tered an exclamation of dismay, and turned hastily around.
 The tall, elderly gentleman, who had been walking up and down, had heard enough of the colloquy between the ne gro wench and the northern girl to ex- plain the situation for him. Taking off his hat with old-tim gallantry, he ad- vanced a few steps, and in a singulariy gentle tone, said:
 My dear Miss, won't you allow me to help you?"
 Before the sentence was ended he had thrust his pure into the young ladys hand. My Lady Bountiful didn't hesitate to make use of some of the purse's con- tents, and the negro woman's attenuated fingers were soon closed over a hand some largess of silver. The northerner turned to thank the gentleman, and gave him her address. He stood silent while she expressed her gratitude :; habitual sadness again looked out from his eyes. When the young girl insisted on knowing at least his name, he uncovered his thin locks, and bending toward his ques- tioner, said:
 "Men call me Jefferson Davisl will see that you1 charge here is cared for"
 My girl vas amazed, more than anszed-overcome-b this revelation, and while she involustarily stretched out her hands to the confederate chief-ths bugaboo of school days-tears stood thickly in heT, eyes.
 "When thought" she said ts me in desc.i n;ns the incident, "of the horrible tales had heard of him, how repulsive he was, hoU he hated the negro, and all that, and how had believed every word against him, could not help Seeling ashamed. Who would have acted 70 nobly, % generously. as he did? He's the dearest, kindess, truest gentleman ever met !,
 like to think of the picture this Mad ison avenue lass made as she reached kez crescerdo of praise of @Rebsl JeH," though her story isn't quife like the usual tale that has come to me Of the arch traitor of the soufh.