Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-05-27
THE OPERATOR.

The solitary figure Of a tramp, as
he plodded along the railroad track
muttering TO himself, was not an unu-
sual sight, even late at night, but a
sad one. nevertheless
I'm almost starved-mighty glad
when | strike the next station. Hope
the operator will give me warm well
come and part of his lunch. Hello!
there is a signal lamp now. Didn't
think | was so close TO an office as
this"
On he plodded till he reached the
station. Looking in at the station he
saw young woman sitting at the
table reading
Heavens she'll be scared to death
at me-" he cried, with something like
despair in his voice. Must | go on
until l strike another officer There
may not be one within fifteen miles.
At that moment the young girl
she was scarcely eighteen-raised her
eyes, and saw the haggard counte-
nance at the window. The kind e1-
preston Of her face gave him the
courage to try the door.
Locked, of course" he muttered.
But here she comes. Now I'll catch
1.-THE poker, | mean"
Meanwhile the girl had opened the
door.
Yes, you may come in and get
warm, she responded to his request,
"but then you must 60"
"Well, that's the first kind word
I've had spoken to me for months, y"
thought the cold, hungry man.
The girl frightened the fire, then
went on reading. Her coffee can was
on the stove, and how tempting TO
him was the savory odor which it
emitted?
He eyed it for some time in silence,
holding out his blue hands to the
grateful glow of the fire. TheD a sud
den thought struck him.
Il wonder if she would see me if |
took a drink of it? But no. he added
determinedly, Il have some manhood
about me yet; l haven't fallen quite
so low as to steal lady's lunch. Here
miss - he said aloud, your coffee is
boiling over
Thank you. I'll take it of, or
would you like to drink it,
No, thank you, I've had my sup
per-six months ago" to himself.
But you are cold. am not feeling
very well tonight and cannot eat
anything. Here is my lunch basket;
you are perfectly welcome to what
there is in it. y
She extended it toward him with
pathetic little smile that touched his
heart.
You say you are sick?" he asked
kindly.
Yes, I've been trying to get off for
the past week, but they are short Of
men just now and unable to secure
anv one to relieve me
The low weary voice sent thrill of
pain through him.
Its too bad you can't 90 home
and rest awhile" said he, sympathet-
ically.
Il have no home"
She had closed the book now and
laid it on her desk There was silence
for few minutes while the man ate
the lunch and drank the steaming
coffee, all the while keeping his eyes
fixed upon her face. The golden hair
was like a halo round il; from out the
violet eyes told the truth, tenderness
and purity Of a loving soul; the
mouth had sweet pathetic droop;
the delicate, graceful curves Of the
head and neck, the slender figure, in
stinct with grace and refinement,
made a picture that was seldom
equa.ed.
For the first time in many years
terrible sense of remorse for the
wasted years Of his life came over
him. He felt at that moment as if he
could have knelt at her feet and
kissed the hem OF her gown; she
seemed so fair and sweet and far
above him that he wished he had
been better man.
Presently she spoke.
Have you a mother and father!
Yes. and good ones, too.
He seemed strangely agitated, and
she looked at him little curiously.
"Oh, if only had either! | ain all
alone in the wOrld-all alone in the
worldr' She repeated the words like
a sad refrain. No one knows what
ii is to be all alone unless they have
experienced it. When / fall i'll, the
hospital or gloomy hotel is the only
shelter / have"
He thought there were tears in her