Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1889-03-01
A RAILWAY Lesson.

It was hot dusty day, when two or
three pesseF gers entered the train on the
Iowa Division of tho Chicago & North
western Road at Bridgewaier. Among
them was stylishly dressed young man
who wore still white hat, patent leather
shoes, the neatctt oil cuffs and shniest OF
stand up-collare. He carried cane, and
carefully brushed the dust from the scat
in front OF me before he sat down.
Just across the aisle, opposite him, sat
q tired woman, holding a sick baby. /
never eaw IN my life more discouraged,
the mothers face. The baby was too
sick even 10 cry. 1t lay moaning ard
gasping IN It's mothers lap while the dust
and cindcrs few In at the open doors aud
windows. The heat aud dust made
travelling, even for strong men, un bear
able.
l had put down the stylish young man
In front OF me us n specimen OF the dude
family, and was making mental cnlcu-
lAtlon on the probable existence of brains
under the new hat when to my asst ON .sh-
ment, he leaned over the aisle and said to
the woman:
''siadam, can DO Of any assistance to
youi just let me hold your baby awhile.
You look so very tired"
The woman seemed much surprised,
though the request was made in the
politest and most delicate manner.
"Uh, thank you, sir" said she, tremu-
lousy 81 am tired, and her lips quiy-
cred.
81 think the baby Will coma 10 me-"
said the young man, with q smile.
Poor thhgl It's too sick to make
any objection. will hold it carefully,
madam. while you lie down and rest
awhile"
"Have you come farl'
"From the Black Hills"
"What! by stagel"
eyes; but the baby was well when i
started. am on my way TO friends III
The East. My husblnd-my-"
"Ab, yes, see, seep' continued the
young man in sympathetic tone, as lie
glanced at the bit OF Grape in the little
travelling hat. BY this time he had
taken the beby and was holding it In his
arms.
''Now you eau lie down and rest q
little. Have you far to got"
40 o. nnectlcut,' replied the woman,
almost with a sob, as she YEARLY ar,
ranged q shawl over valise and prepared
to lie down In the seat.
"Ah yes, ! seel Aud you haven't
money enough TO 20 into sleeping car,
have you, madam" The woman blushei
family, and put one hand over her face
while the tears dropped between her
worn fingers.
looked ont of the window and q mist
came over my eyes, while changed my
calculation OF the young mans mental
ability. He looked thoughtlully aud
tenderly down at the baby, and In a
short time the mother was last asleep.
A woman sitting across the aiele from
me, who heard rs much OF the converse
ton Ss had, came and offered to relieve
the young man of his charge. 81 am
ashamed of myself Tor not Offering to
take the baby from the mother before
Poor little thing! It's aslceYp
80 it Is. IN surrender It to you
now," with o cheerful ,mle.
At this point the train stopped At o sta
tion, and the young man rose iu his seat,
took of his hat, aud said in clear,
earnest voice
Ladies' and gentlemen, here is an op-
portunity for each one Of us to show that
we have been brought up In Christian
land, and have Christian fathers and
mothers. This poor woman" pointing
at the sleeping mother, "has come all the
way from the Black Hills and is on her
way to Connecticut Her husband Is dead
and her baby is III. She h sn't money
enough to travel in II sleeping car, and Is
all tired out and discouraged What will
you do about liz"
IDOL" cried big man near the water
cooler, rising excitedly. IDOL take mp a
collection-the Ameriaan citizens last
resort In distress. m give u.s."
The effect was electrical. The hat went
around, and the way the silver dollars
and quarters and ten-cent pieces ratified
In It would have done any true heart
good.
wish could describe the look on the
woman's face when she awoke, and the
money WAS given her. She tried to thank
us all and failed; she broke down com.
pletely. But we didn't need any thanks.
There was sleeping car on the train,
and the young man saw the mother and
child transferred to 1t at once. did moi
hear what she eaid to him when he lef)
her, but It must have been hearty 'God
bless YOU"
More than one OF US in that car tool
that little lesson to himself, and learned
that even stylish as we'll as poor clothei
may cover noble heart.