Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1891-06-11
JUST ONE LITTLE BABY.
1T CAPTURED a WHOLE CAR
LOAD OF PEOPLE.
An incident OF tho Itati That illustrates
the Ucnt OF Human Nature to
IN Extreme Nicely
pie, but Full OF Points,

II was tho day express train on one
" the great trunk lines OF the railway
IN the middle states, hllod as usual
with through passengers, says the
Youths Companion. They sat for the
most part silent, each absorbed In his
Dwn thoughts, There were two great
railway magnates on their way to Now
York 10 consult about u "deal;N there
we're commercial travellers with their
,anvas valiscs beside them; there we're
merchants, lawyers, farmers glanoing
>ver their notebooks, reading tho
papers, doing; there was u richly
lressod supercilious- looking woman,
who, with her child and maid, Pat n
little apart from the rest; there were
chattering, giddy schoolgirls, an old
negro 'aunty," and asleep ut tho back
Of the ear n bloated, shabby old man,
smelling OF whisky. These people,
gathered out of all classes had no
Intercourse; they looked askance and
mditferently at each other,
The train. with shrek and Jar,
came 10 u full stop in tho midst OF the
mountains. For n few minutes the
passengers sat undisturbed, with the
calm faith Of the American In the
power OF officials To set all things
right As the train continued station
airy, however, one man after another
went out.
They returned with tidings that II
bridge had given way, and that tho
train would be detached for twelve or
fifteen hours,
There was n general cutlery OF AN
noynnce and vexation. IL was near
noon; every one wanted luncheon.
Each man insisted that his business
was urgent and could not be delayed,
One little woman in the corner with
baby in her arms, began to weep I'M
noticed. Tho other women began TO
complain more or less loudly. For u
fow minutes every face was clouded, and
the ear was filed with babel Of angry
voices, Presently somebody noticed
the mother crying over her child and
spoke 10 her.
'Oh, my bnby!' she sobbed ut Ia
sick and | hoped 10 get home In an
hour. ! think II Is dying"
There was startled silence. Then
nm elderly gentleman Mt the back of
the cur came forward, II am u physi-
cian," he said, 'l.et me see tho
child
II was dangerously i'll and IN need OF
active treatment The naughty wo-
man who had hitherto held herself nloof
was the first 10 speak; she had box
Of mustard plasters in her sntchel, and
she tore up her fine handkerchief for
baudages. The old negro woman. went
quietly out, kindled II fire by the road
side, and heated some water TO give
the child u hot bath.
One woman knelt and chafed its feet
another made a bed for IL with shawls.
The porter brought pillows; n Hebrew
drummer produced from his bag bot
tie Of laudanum, for which the doctor
expressed IA wish. and even the poor
drunkard mt the back OF the car urged
hia flask Of brandy on the mother as
being 81 iirat-rate medicine, ma'am.
He looked ut the child for IA minute and
turned away, "Im u poor loafer he
said, "but kin feel for the baby us
much as any Of you.
In the course OF three or four hours
the child was relieved and fell into n
sweet sleep. But before that time the
passengers in the car had all become
its nurses and kinsfolk. When II was
out OF danger and lying calmly In its
me TIERS arms they went out to the
grassy bank by the side Of the river
and improviscd picnic
Some OF the men had found farm
house n mile or two away and brough,
some bread and ham; few OF the
other passengers opened their satchels
AM produced some dainty mOrsel Tn,
joy had potted chicken; Presbyterian
midis,er, oranges; n farmer passing
had choose. There was but little 81
each article M Il was handed around,
but there was abundance Of good will.
They talked, told stories. and one OF
two who had good voices sang.
When, latc in the evening. the en-
CINE pulled and whistled, and the con,
ductor shouted "All aboard" com,
pany OF friendly companions crowded
into the car. and when they parted {
few hours later IL was with many hearty
handshakeS and general exchange o
good wishes.
What good, kindly folks they al
were!" said the grateful little mother
but believe II it had not been fol
my sick baby they would never have
| found each other outm
We are apt to forget that pain ant
sickness are keys to unlock the hcart
OF men toward each other. The hap
py prosperous man rarely knows o
the depth OF tenderness which lies il
his brothers bosom ready to meet hi
call Of need.
A Moment with Esop.