Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-23
JUDGING BY APPEARANCES.
Mistake Of n Railway Conductor in Abus-
ing Passenger,

Brierton railway station was tho scene
Of busy activity. The tram was all ready
20 start. The baggage master was busy
with his checks. the men were hurrying to
and fro with chests and valises. packages
and trunks. Men, women, and children
were rushing for the cars. hastily securing
seats, while tho locomotive snorted and
pulled. says the Louisville Home and Farm.
\ man, oarelessly dressed. was standing
on the platform Of the depot. tie was
looking around him aud seemingly PAID
little attention 10 what was passing. 1t
was easy TO see that he was lame, and at q
hasty glance one might have supposed that
he was man neither OF wealth nor in
huence.
The conductor gave him contemptuous
look, and slapping him Familiarity on the
shoulder cried out:
Hello, Limpy. better get aboard or the
cars will leave you behind"
limo enough, ! reckon" replied the
individual. and he resumed his seemingly
hstless air.
An aboard :" cried the conductor.
" Get on, L:mpy.' said he. passing the
carelessly-dTessed man.
The lame man made no reply. just "a
the train was slowly moving away the lame
man stepped upon the platform of the last
Ger. walked quietly In, and took a seat.
The train had gone few miles when the
conductor appeared at the door Of the car
where our friend was sitting. Passing
along he soon discovered the stranger
whom he had seen at the station.
Your ticket. quick
Il don't pay" replied the lame man,
quietly.
Don't pay2"
No, sir"
Nv ell see about that. ] shall put you
on at the next station and he seized n
vallse that was over the head of our friend
Better not be 50 rough, young man.
replied the stranger.
The conductor released the carpet-bag
for a moment, and seeing that he could do
no more then, passed on 20 collect the fare
from the other passengers.
As he stopped at a seat a few PAGES of q
gentleman who had heard the converse
ton lust mentioned looked up to the con-
ductor and asked
do you know whom you were speaking
to inst now"
No. sir
THAT IL Peter Wharburton, the presi-
dent of the road.
Are YOU sure? ?" asked the conductor,
trying 10 conceal his agitation.
II know him"
The color rose alittle in the young man 8
face. but with a strong effort he controlled
himself and went OH collecting fares as
usual.
Meanwhile Mr.. Wharburton sat quietly
in his seat. None of those near him could
unraycl the expression of his face or tell
what the next movement in the scene
would be.
And he-what thought he? He had
been rudely treated. he had been unkindly
tainted with the infirmlty which perhaps
had come through no fault of his. He
could revenge himself if he chose. He
could tell the directors the simple truth
and the young man would be deprived of
ms place at once. Should he do 1t?
Presently the conductor came back.
With a steady energy he walked up 10 Mr..
Wharburton's side: then taking his book
from his pocket the money and tickets he
had collected he laid them in Mr.. Whar-
burton's hand.
II resign my place, sir. he said.
The President looked over the money
and tickets for moment, then, motlOnlng
hum to a vacant seat. said:
sit down. sir; would like TO talk to
you"
As the young man sat down the Presi-
/ dent turned 10 hun face in which there
was no angry feeling and spoke to him in
an undertOne: My young friend. have
10 reyengeful feelings to CRAFTY in this
matter: but you have been lmprudent.
| Your manner. had il been thus to a
/ stranger, wo9.d have been injurious to the
| company. / might tell the directors of
| this. but | Will not but IN future Temem-
| Der 20 be polite TO all you meet. You cannot
! Judge man bY the coat he wears, and
| even the poorest should be treated with
cvihty. Take up your book, sir. / shall
tell no one Of what has happened. Your
situation Is continued. Good morning,