The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-08-25
THE TOUCH OF NATURE.
How 1t flushed Complaints on Slcepinl

How 1t flushed Complaints on q Sleeping
Car.
We were round dozen OF the gloom
lest passengers that ever got together
in a Pullman car one warm June night
coming ND from Atlanta over the Pied
mont Air line There were several rea-
sons for the suriy dizziness which deep
ened as the evening wore on. The
weather was clammy and uncomforta-
bic while TO open the windows was to
invite a coat of SCOT and shower of cir
ders. Moreover the supper = Charlotte
had been undeniably bad
With such conditions il was not to be
wondered at that an air of s Gomy mo-
roseness peryaded the car. The only
party who did not openly evince any
evidence of discomfort was group OF
sad-faced man, woman with a SUD-
dued countenance and a tiny tot of five,
apparently the daughter of the man
and the niece of the lady. We all knew
well enough why they were so quiet
In the baggage car was 4 rough box,
and the little girl clutched tightly a
bouquet of the same tube-roses we had
been carried in with the coffin.
Cheerfnlness did not increase as the
night grew on. Three drnmmers tried
to break the gloom by rela iC- rather
off-color stories in an audible undef-
tone. A disappointed Spectator re-
turning home was confiding his misfor-
tunes to member of congress en- route
to Washington, and giving his opinion
of the land speculation into which he
had been drawn in language more eS-
pressive than elegant and in much
louder tone than circumstances justi-
fed.
Two Atlanta sports were talking over
poker game, interfering little bursts
of profanity into their conversation.
hardly broad enough to merit reproof
from the conductor, but yet not the
kind of talk desirable in family circles.
Presently the porter began making up
the berths, commencing at the rear,
where the funeral party was ensconsed.
The train rumbled on through the dark
ness, the hum of disconnected converse
ton filed the car, and none of the men
paid the slightest attention to the
white jacketed negro and his work.
BY and by there were sounds of n
slight disturbance from the back part
of the car which caused every one to
turn his eyes thither. In the middle OF
the aisle stock little fairy form, clad
in a snowy night dress, her golden curls
shaking over her shoulders by the rock
ing of the car, while her blue eyes were
troubled and half afloat in tears. She
was saying in a baby voice, which OPP
position had caused to rise to its high
est pitch, distinguishable above the
rumble of the train: Papa and auntie,
must; mamma told me to before she
went to sleep" Seeing the attention
of the other passengers drawn upon
them, the father flushed and made no
further remonstrance, and the lady also
drew back The little tot got down
reverently on her knees by the side of
the berth, clasped her tiny hands and
began:
Now lay me down 10 seep,
pray the Lord my soul 70 keep,
and so on through it all until the final
amen, adding God b'ess papa and
auntie and poor little Annie, whose
mamma has gone away"
Then, unresisting, they tucked her
into the berth. There was no more
story telling, no more grumbling, no
more growing that night The train
rumbled on with the sleeping mother in
the baggage car and the sleeping orphan
in the Pullman. Philadelphia Times