The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-03-30
A RAILROAD LESSON.

II was ilOt uuSly udy, WuCu lWO VI
three passengers entered the train on
the Iowa Division of the Chicago and
Northwestern road at Bridgewater.
Among them was stylishly dressed
young man who wore stiff white hat,
patent leather shoes, the neatest of
cuffs and shiniest of stand-up collars.
He carried cane, and carefully
brushed the dust from the seat in front
of me before he sat down.
Just across the aisle, opposite him,
sat tired woman holding a sick baby.
| never saw in my life more discour-
aged, worn-out, despairing look than
that on the poor mothers face. The
baby was too sick to even cry. 1t lay
moaning and grasping in its mothers
lap while the dust and cinders flew in
at the open doors and windows. The
heat and dust made travelling even for
strong men, uncomfortable.
had put down the stylish young
man in front OF me as specimen OF
the dude family, and was making a
mental calculation on the probable ex
lstence of brains under the new hat
when to my astonishment, he leaned
over the aisle and said to the woman
Madam, can | be of any assistance
to you? Just let me hold your baby
awhile. You look So very tired"
The woman seemed much surprised,
although the request was made in the
poitest and most delicate manner.
go, thank you, sir" said she, tremu
lously, am tired" and her lips quiv-
cred as she spoke.
l think the baby will come to me, :"
said the young man with smile. "Poor
little thing! It's too sick to make any
objection. l will hold it carefully,
madam, while you lie down and rest" !"
Have you come far?"
From the Black Hills"
"What by stage?"
eyes ; but the baby was we'll when l
started. l am on my way to friends in
the East. My husband-my-"
"Ah, yes, see, l see" continued
the young man III sympathetic tore,
as he glanced at the Grape in the little
travelling hat. By this time he had
taken the baby and was holding the
little thing in his arms.
Now you can lie down and rest a
little. Have you far to go?"
"To Connecticut" replied the wo-
man almost with sob, as she wearily
arranged shawl over a valise and pre-
pared to lie down in the seat.
"Ah yes, | see ! And you haven
money enough to 60 IN sleeping car.
have you, madame" The poor woman
blushed family, and put one hand ovel
her face while the tears dropped be,
tween her worn fingers.
l looked out of the window and q
mist came over my eyes, while | changed
my calculation of the young men men,
tai ability. He looked thoughtfully ant
and tenderly down at the baby, and ii
short time the mother was fast asleep
A woman sitting across the aisle from
me, who heard as much Of the conver
sation as l did, came and offered to re
lleve the young man of his charge. q
am ashamed of myself for not offering
to take the baby from the mother be
fore. Poor little thing It's asleep
$50 it is. I'll surrender 1t to yot
now," with cheerful smile.
AT this point the train stopped at 4;
station, and the young man rose in hi
seat, took off his hat, and said in ;
clear, earnest voice:
"Ladies and gentlemen, here is al
opportunity for each one of US to shov
that we have been brought up in j.;
Christian land, and have Christian
fathers and mothers. This poor woman
has come all the way from the Blacl
Hills and is on her way to Connecticut
Her husband is dead and her baby i
i'll. She hasn't money enough to trave
in sleeping car and is all tired out ant
discouras sed. WHAT will you do abou
it2"
"Do !" cried big man near tn,
water cooler, rising excitedly. go
take up a ColleCtion-the American cit
izen's last resort in distress. I'll Civ,
S."
The effect was electrical. The ha
went around and the way the sllve
dollars and quarters and ten-cent piece
ratified into it, would have done an,
true hearted person good.
| wish | could describe the look OF
the woman's face when she awoke, anl
the money was given her. She tried t.
thank us all and failed ; she broke dow
| cnmnletelu Rnt we didn't naad ON,