Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-06-13
MRS. GLADSTONE.
An Interesting Story Showing Her Kind
ness of Heart.

An Interesting Story Showing Her Kind
ness of Heart.
Some time ago gentleman holding posi-
ton in the London civil service was over
looked for promotion under circumstances
which he felt compelled him to resign.
He had nothing else to turn to, and found
himself in condition approaching desti-
tuition. His case exciting much sympa-
thy, subscription was got up to enable
him to proceed to Australia where he had
prospects of lettering himself. The sum
forthcoming was, however, SO limited that
he was obliged to contemplate leaving his
wife and child behind, hoping to send the
money for their passage out in the course
of year.
One day the wife was travelling east
ward in a second-class carriage on the un-
derground railway. She shared the COM
partment with an elder lady, who, observ-
ing her distressed condition, entered into
conversation with her. Drawn by her
sympathy, the poor woman told her story,
which the stranger attentively listened to.
The Mansion House Station was the des-
tination of the Gisconlate wife, and there.
too, the stranger got out. On finding
where she was landed the stranger was
greatly perturbed and protested that she
had meant to get out at st. James
Park, and she had not Il penny TO pay her
fare back. al should like to help YOU
she said to the wife, but / must first con-
suit my husband. If you will call on me
in the morning at Il o'clock at 10 St.
James square, | will see what can be done
for you. In the meantime l have come
out without my purse. l have not penny
to pay my return fare, SO please lend me
sixpence." The poor woman could i'll
afford to spare the sixpence, and it seemed
a very curious circumstance that her bene-
factress should be In all this quandary !;
but after what had passed she could moi
for very shame yield to the feeling of nat
ural suspicion, and handed over the six
pence.
When she went home and told her
husband the story he Knocked her cred
uilty, and laughed at her proposal to ac-
cept the invitation to st. James square.
"a woman without two-pence in her pock-
ct to pay second-class fare to St. James
Park does not live in St. James square,"
he said. However, the wife determined
to see the matter out, and kept her ap-
pointment. On giving her name to the
servant who opened the door. she was at
once admitted and shown into the draw
ing-room. Presently entered the mysteri-
Gus lady of the second-classcarriage 81
have spoken to my husband about your
case" she said. at is our rule never to
help people who do not help themselves,
but he has given me $50 to pay your pas
sage out with your husband, and | have
added elO SO that you might take the
little child. My husband is not in Office
now, but you must let us hear how your
husband gets on, and perhaps by and by
Mr.. Gladstone may do something for him.
And, handing her the $50, she babe her a
kindly farewell. That Mrs. Gladstone
should be discovered in second-class car
riage without penny in her pocket may
seem TO some people the strangest part of
the story. Those who know her person
ally will recognize in it curious charac-
teristic trait.