The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-06-11
manitomof pilot.
THURSDAY. JUNE Ii, 1891.
EFFECT OF ONE SICK BABY.
II Brought Many Strange Travelling Com
panions Nearer to Each other.

1t was the day express train on one
of the great trunk lines of the railway
in the middle states. filled as usual with
through passengers. says the louths
Companion. They sat for the most
part silent, each absorbed In his own
thoughts. There were two great rail-
way maonates on their way to New
York TO consult about deal" there
were commercial travellers with their
canvas valises beside them; there were
merchants, lawyers, farmers glancing
over their notebooks, reading the
papers. doing; there was richly
dressed, supercilious-looking woman,
who. with her child and maid. sat lit
tie apart from the rest; there were
chattering. giddy schoolgirls, an old
negro ''aunty." and asleep at the back
of the car bloated. shabby old man,
smelling of whisky. These people.
gathered out of all classes. had no in
tercourse; they looked askance and in
differently at each other.
The train, with shrek and a Jar,
came to a full stop in the midst of the
mountains, For 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 stationary, how
ever. one man after another went out.
They returned with tidings that
bridge had given way, and that the
train would be detained for twelve or
fifteen hours.
There was 4 general cutlery of an
noyance and yexation. 1t 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
n baby in her arms. began to weep I'M
noticed. The other women complained
more or less loudly For a few min
utes every face was clouded. and the
car was filled with babel of angry
voices. Presently somebody noticed
the mother crying over her child and
spoke to her.
..Oh. my babyr' she sobbed. 1T is
sick, and hoped to get home in an
hour. think it is dying!'
There was n startled silence. Then
an elderly gentleman at the back of
the car came forward. Il am a
physician" he said. Let me see the
child"
1t was dangerously i'll and in need of
active treatment. The naughty woman
who had hitherto held herself aloof was
the first TO speak; she had Il box of
mustard plasters in her satchel, and she
tore up her fine handkerchief for band
ages. The old negro woman went
quietly out, kindled fire by the road
side, and heated some water, to give
the child hot bath.
One woman knelt anu chafed It's feet;
another made Il bed for it with shawls
The porter brought pillows; a Hebrew
drummer produced from his bag bot
tie of laudanun for which the doctor
expressed wish. and even the poor
drunkard ut the back of the car urged
his flask of brandy on the mother as
being ~ iirSt-rate medicine, ma'am."
He looked ut the child for minute
aud turned away. I'm Il poor loafer,"
he said but | Kin feel for the baby as
much rs any of YOU.
In the course of three or four hours
the child was relieved aud fell into
sweet sleep. But before that time the
passengers in the ear had all become
its nurses and kinsfolk. When it was
out of danger aud living calmly in its
mothers arms they went out tC the
grassy bank by the side of the river and
improyised Il picnic
Some OF the men had found a farm
house = mile or two away and brought
some bread ami ham; Il few of the
other passengers opened their satchels
and prod need some dainty morSpl The
Jew had potted chicken; Il Presbyterian
minister, oranges; farmer passing
had cheese. There WAS but little of
each article rs it was handed around,
but there WAS abundance of good will.
They talked told stories. and one or
two who had good voices sang.
When. late in the evening. the engine
puiIcd and whistled and the conductor
shouted "All aboard!' company of
friendly companions crowded into the
ear, and when they parted few hours
later it was with many hearty hand
shakes and Il general exchange of good
wishes.
What good, kindly folks thew all
were" said the grateful little mother.
But believe if it had not been for
my sick baby they would never have
found each other out.'
We are apt 10 forget that pain and
sickness are keys TO unlock the hearts
of men toward each other. The happy.
prosperous man rarely knows of the
depth of tenderness which lies in his
brothers bosom ready to meet his call
of need.