Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-04-23
Mother Bickerdyke in Kansas.
WHITE OAKS, New MEXICO.


| A sketch entitled 'Mother Bicker-
dyke" from Mrs. Livermore's my
Story of the War; brought to my
mind very pleasant incident. 1t was
in the autumn or winter Of lS74-the
''grasshopper year"-that l was on my
way from kinsley, Kan, to Topeka.
| Rev. s. ID. Storrs, then superintendent
| OF Home Missions in Kansas, boarded
the train at Great Bend. He told me
that Mrs. Bickerdyke, who was then
bringing in supplies by the carload for
the Kansas sufferers, came on the train
with him, but went into the sleeper,
and that he would give her seat with
me in the morning He did so. and |
passed very pleasant half day in her
company. She was on her way to
Topeka to consult the officers of the
Relief Society about some measure for
distributing the goods she was bringing
to the State, and her accounts OF her
methods OF raising supplies and placing
them where they were most needed.
some of her experiences among the
| '"'S' SH's''Sc ph Ntli lslatlu.
anecdotes, funny and pathetic, of the
war, all made her most entertaining
companion. AT the same time. moth
ing gong on around her escaped her
| notice. Not lar from our seat was
girl of perhaps fifteen wears, in
company with two young men. The
conversation was very animated. though
her part consisted chiefly of titterinc
laugh TO every remark that was made
by the Others. Mrs. Bickerdyke OBJ
| served them quietly, then remarked
There is one of the silly ones in bad
company. | am afraid she has started
wrong. but she shall have chance"
Then she went TO the girl and asked
her to come with her. She came with
out "A wod. Mrs. Bickerdyke gave
her seat IN trout of Us, and by asking
few questions learned that the girl
was on her way from her fathers house
t" her sisters to attend school. that
The Young men were entire strangers
y her. and that At Topeka -he would
have to take Il train on another road. |
aud did not know just how to cross the
GUY. Mrs. Bickcrdyke put her in the
care Of a lady who, with her children,
was gong the same way. and then
gave the child few words of advice |
about becomin. acquainted carelesslv
with strangers. | have often wondered
whether HE was not sarcd because
one woman knew Row to 10 the right
thing at the right time, aud had the
necessary nerve and courage to do it,
Il happened that VIC returned at the
same time. On this train there was
only smoking car Tor passengers 1t
wa divided hy partition in the mid
de, the forward part being occupied
10y men. and the other half by womca
and children. Here Mrs Brkerdvke
found WORK 70 40, relieving tired
mothers of crying babies aud walkiu,
he aisle with one little fellow till She
| hu>hed him u sleep. \ good deal Of
growing on the mems side of The ear
Mas audible through the door Every
man ltad a Seat. but there we're some
vacant places on our side, and several
attempts were made to enter and take
possession, nat tie iurrulcrs we're
promptly ordered back by the con
| 'lurtor. There were two uuoccup.ed
SEATS ucar nc. aud by changing the
| cushions around, made comfortable
place for Mrs. Bjrkerdvke To lie down,
thou-h she could hardly be persuaded
70 take place that some one else