Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-06-18
MISCELLANEOUS.
a Railroad Lesson.


1t was a hot, dusty day, when two OF three
passengers entered the train on the Iowa Di-
vision of the Chicago and Northwestern road
at Bridgewater. Among them was a 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 sick baby. 1 never saw in
my life a moreSdiscouraged, wornout, despair
ing look than that on the poor mothers face
The baby was too sick to even cry. It lay
moaning and gasping in its mothers lap while
the dust and cinders few in at the open doors
and windows. The heat and dust made travel
ing, even for strong men, uncomfortable.
had put down tho stylish young man in
front of me as a specimen of the dude family,
and was making a mental calculation on the
probable existence of brains under the new hat
whom, to my astonishment. he leaned over the
aisle and said to the woman:
g Madam, can be of any assistance to you
just let me hold your. baby awhile. You look
go very tired"
Thewoman seemed much surprised, although
the request was made in tho politest and most
delicate manner.
oh, thank you, sir, !" said she tremulously,
az am tired" and her lips 'quiYered as she
spoke.
"a think the baby will come to me-" said the
young man with u smile. Poor little thing !
It's too sick TO make any objection. will
hold it carefully, madam, while you lie down
and rest
"Have You come far ~
From the Black Hills"
/. What! by stage7"
Yes; but the baby was well when started
an, friad l., ~, Feet A.
!" All, yes, see, seel continued the young
man in a sympathetic tone, as he glanced a
the bit of Grape in the little travelling hat. By
this time he had taken the baby and was hold
ling the little thing In his arms.
"Now you can liO down and rest llttle.-
Have you far to go2"
ITO Connecticut" replied the woman almost
with cob, as she YEARLY arranged shawl
over valise and prepared TO lie down In the
seat.
"Ah yes, see And you haven't money
enough to go in a sleeping car, have you
madam ?" Tho poor woman blushed family
and put one hand over her face while tho tear
dropped between her worn fingers.
1 looked out of the window and a mist came
over my eyes, while changed my calculation
of the young mans mental ability. He looked
thoughtfully and tenderly down at the baby
and in short time tho mother was fast asleep
A woman sitting across the aisle from me
who heard as much of the conversation as
did, came and offered to relieve the young man
of his charge. az am ashamed of myself FOL
not offering to take the baby from the mother
before. Poor little thing It's asleep"
So tits. Tllsurrender it toyou now" will
a cheerful smile.
At this point the train stopped at a station
aud the young man rose in his seat, took off hi
hat, and said in a clear, earnest voice:
Ladies' and gentlemen, here is an opportu
nifty for each one of US to show that we hSv
been brought up in Christian land, and hav
Christian fathers and mothers. This poo
woman has come all the way from the Blacl
Hills and is on her way to Connecticut He
husband is dead and her baby isill. She hasn'
money enough to travel in sleeping car, an,
is all tired out and discouraged. What will yo
do about it7"
IDOL" cried a big man near the water cooler
rising excitedly. "Do take up collection
the American citizen's last resort in distress
ri give So"
The effect was electrical. The hat wen
around, and the way the silver dollars an
quarters and ten-cent pieces ratified into
would have done any true hearted person good
I wish l could describe the look on the VIC
mans face when she awoke and the money wa
given her. She tried to thank us all an
failed; she broke down completely. But W
didn't need any thanks. There was sleepin
car on the train, and the young man saw tn
mother and child transferred to it at once.
] did not hear what she said to him when he lei
her but it must have been hearty God blcl
you"
More than one of us in that car took thu
: lesson to himself, and learned that even sty
I ish as well as poor clothes may cover mob
heart Youdt,s Companion.