Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-11-29
..Yonnr ana nretty ones ! said Ran.


mar
"Why should ihat make any differ
encc in my conduct?a asked Ed.
''Oh, If you don't know. / can't tell
you said Ray. Il suppose you
wouldn't sec the reason why, il she
was a darlSy?,
Certainly not, said Ed ~ wom-
an, young or old, plain or pretty. rich
or poor, who needs assistance. shall
always have help from me.
Don QuiNote, said Ray Catch
me plsguins myself, unless there Is
something TO repay inc for 1t IA pretty
face, and bewitching smile, or, at
least, the knowledge that | appear to
know one OF the upper tendon.
Change here. said tho conductor.
Ray arose. Ed also started to his
feet, and turned to the old lady.
This Is our place, madam. no
said. NOW give me your basket and
parcels, I'll carry them.
ed has goue crazy" said Ray to
himself. "A queer old woman. But
he always was queer one. always
In the meantime, Ed was helping
the old woman down the steps, aud
finding her comfortable seat in the
next car
You are very polite young man,
said the old lady, when the arrange
ments were completed. There used
to be a number like you in my young
days; but now the most OF them are
like your friend yonder, and that stuck
up conductor. Whit house is that yon-
der with the flag on it? It's so stupid,
this here travelling alone, with nobody
to explain things"
Ed Immediately sat down beside hor.
and pointed ont the various objects Of
interest on the road. The old woman
was plainly dressed, very countriied
and little prosy. But Ed had a good,
kind heart, and felt it a great pleasure
10 make her enjoy herself. When at
last the ears had arrived iu New York
she shook hands with him, and declared
loudly: ''Hc was the incest young fell
low she had seen since she vas gal. -
IL wouldn't have been you for a
kingdom" said Ray, when his friend
rcioined him. What goose you
are.
They had proceeded but a short dis.
lance on their homeward way, when
voice, sharp and shrill, cried in their
cars:
II say, young men, can't you tell me
which is Broadway They say / was
TO take the Broadway stage 10 Twenty
second street"
Your old woman again, said Ray.
Sure enough it was, and delighted
she seemed to meet Ed once more.
OF course Ed put her right, hailed
an omnibus, informed the driver that
this lady must be put down at Twenty
third street, and saw her drive away.
nodding and smiling from the window
Ray was gone oGt of sight. Some Of
his friends might have fancied he had
something to do with the old woman,
had he waited. Ed found him at din
ner, relating the story TO his mother,
Idtler, ana young sister.
''She had black straw bonnet, with
an immense bow on it, a regular coal
scuttle, and hand basket, an umbrella
mile long, with a tremendous hook
On the handle, she wore short blue
trock, and yarn-stockiugs, and leather
boots, and plaid shawl" said he,
land people asked mo whether it was
Eds grandmother, or whether he had
married tavern-keepers widow for
her money!"
mo one spoke about the matter"
said Ed, quietly eating his dinner,
land if they had made any such re-
marks, / should only have thought
less of the person who made them.
was only doing my duty
1T certainly is nobody's duty to play
the gallant to all the shabby old women
in the cars" said Ray. However,
do as you please. It's all the same to
me, only youwill never catch me tray
cling with you under such circum-
stances again.
Ed Price was an independent sort of
a fellow. He did what he thought
right, though he was the poor relation
of the family, and had only situation
in his uncle's office, which Ray would
have scoffed' at. As IL was, he was
economical enough to pay his own way
with the salary, and now boarded with
his uncle, although he might have
lived there free of expense, and have
cut dash, instead of dressing as plain
ly rs any mechanic. Ray despised him
for the latter fact. A man in kid
gloves was much greater in his esti-
nation than u man with bare hands.
And only an idiot, he thought, would
wear a soft hat, value two dollars.
when, by accepting favors, he might
have spent ten upon u glossy stove-
pipe.
Ed thought differently. He was a
kindly fellow, too, always doing some
thing for somebody. Little crossing
sweepers were sure of pennies when
they saw him approaching. He set the
broken legs of yagrant dogs, delivered
distracted emigrants to their friends,
like lost parcels. and was always stop
ping cars, handing up fares, and maxi
ing martyr of himself in press of
passengers in the city cars. Heuuder-
took crrands for his aunt and cousin,
and always brought homo the shade of
worsted or width OF ribbon that was
wanted.
Ray could also be polite when it
served his own interest. The next day
at dinner time Mrs. Allen, who had
been paying calls all the forenoon, was
found in state Of great excitement
Something was on her mind. AT last
she gave it utterance.
WHO do you suppose has come to
the city, Mr.. Allenpn she said
Cant guess said Mr.. Allen.
"Queen VictoriaP"
"Queen Fiddlesticks," said Mrs.
ALLEN. But you will never guess.
men are so stupid. Aunt Charlotte
Ray. after whom we named our Ray.
Actually l found the old lady at War
ren's, as queer as ever
"'Why didn't you come straight to
me. Aunt Charlotte?' said /.
Forgot your street, " she said, so I'm
to send carriage for her tomorrow.
Ray, now do remember how rich she