The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-08-05
Street Politeness in New York.

SUTeeU IOlIttUtSs III NOW IOlhs
Helen Everston Smith, in the
Ne,D York Independent, tells of a
pleasant episode of thirty years ago.
The condition of the streets of our
city is certainly bad enough now, but
in 1861 it was infinitely worse. An ex-
ceedingly heavy snow-stOrm, something
like the blizzard of 1888, had fallen
during the first week in January.
Later the streets were seas of slush !;
even the sidewalks were bad, and it
was impossible to cross street without
going over shoe. On one of these days
when the sky was bright but the condi-
dition of the streets intolerable, a girl
of sixteen years volunteered to do
some errands for member of the fam
ily who was not well enough to venture
out. Getting into the omnibus, she
was helped by her aunt's butler, and so
escaped without wetting her feet. But,
arrived at "Stewart's," then at Cham
bers street and Broadway, she must de-
scend unaided, and in the sea of slush
missed her footing and turned her
ankle, though without falling. Not
knowing that she was hurt, but seeing
that she needed help, gentleman
sprang from the sidewalk to her aid.
Then, finding that she was very lame,
he helped her into the store, waited for
her to complete her small purchases as
gravely and unobtrusively as we'll
bred serving-man, assisted her into an
omnibus and with bow withdrew. AS
she rode on, the poor girls ankle kept
aching worse and worse. She had been
charged with another Grand, and was
1@.1l - -, g. 81, 10 i,lr hat
she could return without having accom-
plished it; but how to get out of that
wretched omnibus without help she did
not know. Looking about her she saw
no woman, but five or six men in the
stage. One sitting beside her she
thought must be very old because his
hair was gray He was handsome
man, and probably not over forty or
fifty years of age, but to sixteen the
younger of these ages is as good as a
century. Him she timidly asked if he
was going as far up as Fourth street.
".No," he answered kindly, | did
not intend to do so; but 1 will, cheer
fully, if can be of service to you"
"Oh, no." she replied, 81 only
thought if you were going so far | would
ask you to help me out; but l dare say
l can manage"
Nomore was said, but the gentleman
went on to Fourth street, and there, as
kindly and respectfully as if she were
his own daughter, he not only helped
her to alight from the stage, but also
to walk down the long block to her des-
tination. Here, as she was earnestly
thanking him, he only took occasion to
remark, while he barred his handsome
head
GA South Carolina gentleman could
do no less for a lady in Distress"
{" And a Connecticut girl can do no
less than to thank him very warmly"
was her frankly-cordial reply, as he
gracefully retired.
Having discharged her errand, our
young friend descended the steps, only
with an agony so great that she turned
faint and sick and sat down on the bot.
tom step to recover before she should
venture on. A gentleman passing
quickly by must have noticed her pallor
for he turned back, saying:-
Are you i'll? Can l do anything
foryou?"
mot ILL" she replied, but / have
hurt my ankle. fear it is sprained."
Have you far to go? Let me hell
YOU"
"Thank you," she replied, simply
and without demur she accepted hi
arm and much-needed support as far al
Broadway, where he helped her agair
into the Eighth street stage, saying
as he did so, to the only other passengel
in it, who CHANGED to be a youns
Frenchman, "This lady has sprainet
her ankle. When she wishes to get out
if you are still in the stage, please t.
help her."
"Wiz plaisir," replied the French
man, and with touch of his hat the frs
speaker walked away. The foreigne
cast some curious glances at his new
companion, but was perfectly respectful
probably thinking that the young cir
thus put in his charge was in some wa,
related to the gentleman who had ad
dressed him. Arrived at old st
Marks place Chen just beginning t.
lose its prestige as fashionable quar-
teri, the girl signifed her wish t.
alight. The driver backed his stage t.
the sidewalk. The young Frenchmal
most respectfully helped his charg
out OF the stage and up the long step
the stage waiting for his return), an
then, with graceful bow, left her jus
in time to see her almost fall into tn
arms of the old serving-man who al
swered the bell.
During the succeeding evening Whe