Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-11-20
HE WAS ONLY ALiTTLE CHAP.
The Conductor Tells How He Came to Be
So Soft Hearted.

Il know" said the conductor as he
| finished counting up and lighted a
cigar that most people consider us
hard-hearted lot, but we've got to be,
or at least appear to be. A railroad
company has little to do with senti-
ment and great deal to do with
business. / can't afford to let people
ride at my expense and so what am to
do?"
No remedy being suggested he
smoked away in silence for two or three
minutes, and then continues:
Il didn't use to have so much heart
about it, only eXcusing myself on the
plea of duty; but one night about three
years ago something happened which
has kept my heart pretty soft ever
since. 1t was on the run out of Buffalo,
and when | came TO take up the fares
| came across woman and child. She
was pale-faced and poorly clad and she
had a world of trouble in her face
| saw that in a general way, but it was
not my business to pity her. The child
with her, a boy Of or s, was living
back on the seat, with her old shawl
for pillow. She offered me one full
fare ticket to a point about forty miles
below. but | demanded one for the boy.
"'Please, SIR she said, we are very
poor, and he's only a little chap and
I'm taking him home to die
That was no excuse, and [ plainly
told her that she must pay for him or
he'd have to get off. | thought she
was trying to beat his way but in that
was mistaken. 1t was a dark and
orb har
ready to leave the train at the next
stop if she'd had money to pay for the
boy. | felt a bit ashamed when | saw
her making ready, and it hurt me to
see her lean over him and both cry to-
gether, but one of our men had been
discharged only the week before for
overlooking a one-legged soldier who
only wanted lift for ten miles,
And no one offered to pay the boys
fare?"
For wonder. no. There was a
full crowd in the car but all seemed 10
look upon the pair with suspicion.
hated to put them off, and was hoping
the woman would make one more APP
peal and give me a show to back water.
when the train ran into - and she
made ready to get off. The least |
could do was to help her with the boy.
| picked him up and started to follow
her out. but | had scarcely taken notice
of his white face and tear-wet cheeks
when he uttered shrek of fear.
stra; ghtened out in my arms. and next
instant | knew | held a corpse. Yes,
sir the life went out of him in that cry,
| and the mother turned on me with a
look | can never forget and cried:
Hes dead! He's dead. And you
have killed him!
Il don't like to think of it, :" whisper
| ed the conductor after a long silence.
Il had my months wages in my pocket,
and | gave her every dollar of it and
the passengers raised as much more.
and when left her with her dead at
the next station | had done everything
| possibly cou d, but that didn't clear
me. | had been too harsh and cold.
She had told me the truth and | had
doubted her. She had asked for mercy
| and | had ordered her out into the
night and storm with a dying boy in
her care. She has never forgiven ne.
and never will, and try as hard as l
NAV | can never forgive myself"