Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-08-22
AN INCIDENT.

train on the Iowa Division OF the
Chicago & North western Road at
Bridgewater. Among them was a
stylish dressed young man, who
wore stiff white hat, patent
leather shoes, the neatest OF cuffs
and shiniest of stand.up collars.
He carried a cane, and carefully
brushed the dust from the seat in
front of me before he sat down.
Just across the aisle, opposite
him, sat tired woman, holding a
sick baby. 1 meyer saw in my life
a more discouraged, worn out, de-
spairing look than that on the
mothers face. The baby was too
sick even to cry. 1t lay moaning
and gasping in its mothers lap,
while tie dust and cinders flew in
at the open doors and windows.
The heat and dust made travelling,
even for strong men, unbearable.
l had put down the stylish young
man IN front of me as specimen
of the dude family, and was mak
ing a mental calculation on the
probable existence of brains under
the new hat, when to my astOnlsh
ment, he leaned over the aisle, and
said to the woman: "Madsm, can
1 be of any assistance to youi just
let me hold your baby awhile. You
look so very tired.'
The woman seemed much sur
prised, though the request was
made In the politest and most deli
cate manner.
ooh, thank you, sir" said she,
TREMENDOUSLY, 81 am tired" and
her lips quivered.
81 think the baby will come tc
me- said the young nan, with a
smile. "POOr thing It's too sick
to make any objection. 1 will hold
1t carefully, madam, while you lie
down and rest awhile. Have you
come far"
"FrOm the Black Hills"
"What! by stage 7"
"Yes but the baby was wei
when l started. am on my way
to friends in the East. Ny, my
husband-my-"
"Ah, yes, see, l see ~ cOntinu
ed the young man in a sympathetic
tone, as be glanced at the bit o.
Grape in the little travelling hat
By this time he had taken th'
baby, and was holding it in hi
arms.
"Now you can lie down and res
a little. Have you far to go !"
"To Connecticut replied th'
women, almost with sob, as sh'
YEARLY arranged a shawl over
valise, and prepared to lie down il
the seat.
"Ah, yes, I see And yoG have
not money enough to 90 into
sleeping car, have you, madam 7
The poor woman blushed family
and put one hand over her face
while the tears dropped between
her worn fingers.
l looked out of the window, anC
a mist came over my eyes, while
changed my calculation of tn
young mans mental ability. al
looked thoughtfully and tenderll
down at the baby, and in a shor
time the mother was fast asleep.
The woman sitting across thu
aisle from me who heard as mucl
of the conversation as | had, cam
AMI offered to relieve the yOuDl
man of his charge. 81 am ashame,
of myself for not offering to tax
the baby from the mother before
Poor little thing! It's asleep"
$50 it is. I'll surrender it {
you nOw," with a cheerful smile.
At this point the train stoppe'
at a station and the young ma
rose in his seat, took off his hat
and said IN a clear, earnest voice
"Ladies and gentlemen, here Is a
J opportunity for each one of as t
show that we have been 0rough
up in Christian land, and bav
Christian fathers and mothers
o This poor woman" pointing at tn
. sleeping mother, has come all th
I way to Connecticut. Her husban
. is dead and her baby is i'll. ST
hasn't money enough to travel In
sleeping car, and is all tired oil
,, and discouraged what will you q
l about it :"
"Do !" cried a big man dow
near the water cooler, rising exc
edly. "DO take up collection
II the American citizens last resc
" in distress. III give So"
The effect was electrical. L
III bat went around, and the way
y yer dollars and quarters and Il
cent pieces ratified in 1t wOnld ha
done any true heart good.