Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-21
A WAY STATION.
a CHRISTMAS SKETCH BY SARAH
ORNE JEWeTT.

WOO1tn btillOu Ou hiuiuh INV VI ihh
vey, where the only sounds were the
bney. insistent ticking of the telegraph
and the slow sweep OF the wind through
lesfess trees. The weather was so mild
that it was difficult to believe that the
day before Christmas was passing
slowly by.
When one sat on the platform at the
south side OF the building there was
seen, beyond the narrow country road,
q long hill covered with brown fields.
To the left, beyond these slopes with
their scattered apple-trees, a steep road
went Up across the hill. in their fenced
| gardens stood some small houses, one
! cable showing above another oil the
wav from the low. ground to the hilltop,
and all at different angles, as II they were
either trying TO climb up or had once
stood at the top and slipped down along
the grass. The sky was full OF cold,
autumnal clouds. like day III late Octo--
! Ter. with brilliant sweeps of white and
dull purple against the pale blue be-
vond. Now and then came a soft CLEAN
/ Of winter sunshine. There were shallow
pools OF water shining through the thln
rushes in piece of low meadow close
by. but there were no binds to dip and
futter in m-only one small hawk
was in sight. lowering high against the
clouds above the hill.
One Of the houses was larger than the
rest, with great square chimney. Ihere
were more fruit.trees near 1t and better
out-buildings. All the way down to the
| station a narrow foOt-path was deep
] trodden in the gress-a sharp, wayerlng
line along the hillside. It's course could
be traced by rise and hollow and along
the ditch band OF the lower ground.
Driving and walking from east and
west along the road came men and
women. to gather at the station and wait
for the next train. They ioked merrily
with one another. Some were going
away and some spoke OF friends they
had come TO meet. There was look OF
holiday-making about the country neigh
bors, and they grew more and moro
| joylal with the station-master who was
pursuing the routine of his responsible
ties with considerable dignity. The sky
seemed to arch wider and higher over
the tiny building and the bustling group !;
the sun shone brighter and then went
under the clouds again.
Suddenly in the foot-path, far above
and near the white house appeared
the figure Of woman, stepping slow
", coming steadily down, alone. r.
resolute, but with increasing eagerness.
She made the wide field look wider as
she crossed it there was strange aspect
of fatality and accustomedness IN her
manner of understanding habitual
and not occasional. As she drew near
there was a bewillered look upon her
face. The bystanders hushed their noisy
talk and made way for this newcomer
as she Joined them and stood alone
waiting on the platform. A moment
later she looked about with intentness
and recognized two or three persons
who answered her salutation respect
fully; then they shook off the Soldering
effect of her presence and laughed and
talked as befoI She seemed wrapped
in dull reflection nj first; presently she
turned to look eagerly for the train. She
was an old woman, thin and bent dress
ed neatly in black, with even touch OF
elegance and refinement, az became a
lady in that simple neighborhood.
The great tram came Jarrlng between
the quiet fields and made moments
stop. There was a hurrying of passen-
gers, a heavy tumbling Of baggage on
the platform. delighted shouts of well
come and surprise, and excited greetings.
| Then the cars moved on, with many diff
ferent faces at their windows, and lett
the station 10 its own affairs. A young
horse had been startled, and several men
rushed TO hold it as it reared and tried to
get free from its harness. The train had
almost disappeared in the distance and
silence returned. The neighbors were
going away with their Christmas guests,
but ell this time the solitary old woman
stood waiting alone, as if her own guest
had failed to come and the disappoint-
ment was too great for instant reslgna-
ton.
Presently she turned with sigh, and
with slow steps crossed the road again
and went away into the fields. She
climbed the long foot-path, making her
way toward home and at last disappeared
at her garden-foot among the apple
trees. IS one watched her this sad re-
turn appeared as inevitable as the hope
full outset One could hardly bear to
think of her sitting down alone to her
supper, and afterward keeping so silent
and wistful Christmas eve as the clock
struck one hour after another and the
lonely night came on. 1t was impossl-
bic not to feel unreasoning resentment
toward that guest who had disappointed
this affectionate heart.
Later the station master had finished
his accounts in his small, cold Office, and
came out into the mild open air to walk
to and fro. He had an anxious, official
aspect, as if the cares OF his own posi-
ton had oil the weight OF the great rail
way system to which he was linked.
There was a kind neighborliness about
the good man in this time of leisure he
spoke of the mild weather and the rush
OF travel Just before the coming holiday.
"Ihere was an old lady who came
down by that foot-path to meet some one
who did not arrive" said | suggestiyely.
"You saw her then ?" said the station
master, mpassionately. "She always
comes for that train If It's ever 80 late
she waits for it. She had an only son
that was expected home this time O day
aud met his death in one o those great
accidents. She seemed to understand
most too well at the time was to his
funeral and all, but sfterward her mind
failed her and she can't hear to it that
he isn't coming. She's sensible enough
about most things, but she gets ready
for him every day, as pleased as can be-.
Some people try to argue her out OF it,
but | call it no kindness. 1t pleases her
TO get ready, and for all she is SO disap-
| pointed here at the minute, by the time
she gets home she's full o hope again. "
"Poor soul " said l.
eyes, it's sad case" answered the
station master. "You might think /
was used to it by this time, but it amt
so, and seeing all the rest OF the folks
to-day carrying on their fun all so lively,
having just what they wanted, the sight
of her came over me as il 1t was the first