Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-12
THIS DUDE HAD A HEART.
Pathetic Incidental Poor Mother Helped
by "a Generous Man.

Pathetic Incidental Poor Mother Helped
by "A Generous Man.
II was hot, dusty day, when two or
three passengers entered train on the
Northwestern road at Bridgewater, says
n correspondent Of the Cincinnati Com
merciqt Gazette. Among them was
stylishly-dressed young man, who wore
stiff white hat, patent-leather shoes,
the neatest of cuffs, and the shinlest OF
stand-up,collars. He carried cane and
carefully brushed the dust from the seat
in front of mo before he sat down.
Just across the aisle opposite him sat
tired woman holding baby. l never
saw in my life more discouraged, worn
out. despairing look than that on the
mothers face. The baby was too sick
even to cry. 1t 10y moaning and gasp
ing in its mothers lap, while the dust
and cinders flew in at the open doorsnnd
windows, The heat and dust made ira
Yelling, even for strong men, un6ear-
able.
/ had put down the stylish young man
in front of me as specimen OF the DUDE
family, and was making mental calcu-.
lation on the probable existence OF
brains under the new hat, when, TO my
establishment, he leaned over the aisle
and said to the woman;
MADAM, can l be Of any assistance
to YOU? Just let me hold your baby
awhile. You look 80 very tired.
The woman seemed much surprised,
though tie request was made III the
politest and most delicate manner.
ooh, thank you, sir, said she trem-
ulously. 81 am tired" and her lips
quiyered.
81 think the baby will como to me,
said the Young man, with a smile. " Poor
thing It's too sick to make any objec-
ton. I will hold it carefully, madam,
while you lie down and rest awhile.
Have you come far
"From the Black Hills. "
"What by stage ? "
eyes, but the baby was well when L
started. l am on my way to friends in
the East. My-my husband-my"-
"Ah, yes, 1 see, 1 see " continued
the young man in a sympathetic tone.
as he glanced at the bit Of Grape in the
little travelling-hat. BY this time he
had taken the baby and was holding it
in his arms.
"Now you can lie down and est a
little. Have you far to go ?"
"To Connecticut, replied the woman,
almost with sob, as she YEARLY ar
ranged shawl over valise and pre-
pared to lie down in the seat.
"Ah, yes, see And you have not
money enough TO go into sleeping car,
have you, madam ? "
The poor woman blushed family and
nut one hand over her face while the
tears dropped between her worn fingers.
| 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 a
short time the mother was fast asleep.
The woman sitting across the aisle
from me, who had heard as much of the
conversation as had, came and offered
to relieve the young man of his charge,
u am ashamed of myself for not offer
inc to take the baby from the mother be.
fore. Poor little thing It's asleep"
$50 it is. I'll surrender it to you
now" with cheerful smile.
At this point the train stopped at @
station, and the young man rose in hi:
seat. took off his hat. and said in clear
earnest voice "Ladies and gentlemen,
here is an opportunity for each of us tC
show that We have been brought up in 6
Christian land and have Christian
mothers and fathers. This poor woman,
pointing TO the sleeping mother, cha!
come oil the way from the Black Hills
and is going to Connecticut Her hus
band is dead and her baby is i'll. She
hasn't money enough to travel in 9
sleeping. car and is all tired out and dis
couraged. What will you do about it p
"Doi" cried a big man down neal
the water-cooler, rising eIcitedly, "Do
Take up a collection-the American
citizens last resort in distress. III
give s..
The effect was electrical. The hat
went around, and the way silver dollars
and quarters, and ten-cent pieces rat
tied in it would have done any true heart
good.
| wish i could describe the look on the
womans face when she awoke and the
money was given to her. She tried &c
thank us all and failed. She broke down
completely. But We didn't need any
thanks.
There was a sleeping-car on the train,
! and the young man saw the mother and
child transferred to it at once. / did moi
hear what she said to him when he left
her, but it must have been o hearty
"God bless you !"