The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-20
A STORY OF THACkERAY.
Which illustrates the GentIo Thoughtful.
ness of tho Famous Novelist.

Which illustrates the GentIo Thoughtful
ness of tho Famous Novelist.
AS toward the end of October u little
over 40 years ago tho night train of
tho Chemin do Fer du Nord was about
to leave the station at Paris an English
gentleman got into first class compart-
mcnt, and slowing away his small va
hso took his seat i'll ono of the vacant
corners. He noticed that OH tho seat op-
positc to him was Il gentleman who ap-
peared to be i'll. His face was deathly
pale; he was breathing very hard and
appeared to be III great pain.
Arc you i'll, sir? Can I be of any
assistance to your" tho gentleman
asked
Il am very i'll, tho sufferer replied
family. Il am subject to very pain
full malady, and feeling ain attack COM
ing OH while i'll Switzerland [ resolved
to 80 homc-to England 1t generally
gives mo Il weeks warning But feel
/ shall not reach Calais alive"
But you must not go OH, my dear
sir, said his fellow traveller fcclingly.
Il am Il perfect stranger in Paris 1
have como right through from Geneva,
and l do not know word of French, -
replied the sick man, almost in Il state
of collapse.
ut will never do for you to travel i'll
that state. Come, let mo help you out
before tho train Starts
The kindly gentleman was not a mo-
ment too soon. But by tho friendly aid
of Il porter he got the sufferer ont of the
train, placed him gently III IL cab and
had him taken to tho hotel which he
himself had just quilted and where he
knew tho sick man would receive every
attention. Caring for him OH the way
with all the tenderness of woman he
babe him cheer up, for he knew ply
Stefan who was one of tho highest au-
thorities Oh the particular disease from
which he was suffering.
All the night the gentleman was ex-
ceedingly i'll, nor did he improve much
the next day. Tho following morning a
relation of tho sufferer, who had been
telegraphed for, arrived, and the kind
hearted gentleman who had put off his
journey to England, thrown away hAe
railway fare and spent two nights and q
day almost constantly by the sick man s
side handed over tho sufferer to the care
Of his friend.
Then, and not till then, did this gold
eli hearted man decide to resume his in
terrupted journey.
Going into the patients room in the
evening to bid him goodby, no said:
II must now wish You farewell, rs L
have important business in London. /
wish you hearty godspeed toward re-
covery''
The SICK man was still extremely i'll
and not able to do moro than press his
bcnofactor's hand and whisper few
words of gratitude.
The relative OF the patient, however,
who was no other than his sister, fol-
lowed the gentleman out Of the room
and said:
You have not done mo the honor to
tell me to whom and my brother owe
SO signal an act Of kindness as that
which you have shown to an utter
stranger. Had you not SO generously
and so disintercstedly taken compassion
on him fear his relatives and friends
would never have seen him again alive.
In thanking you again for your kindness,
llh0 W hDOW W WHO'LL
we arc so much indebted. Besides you
forfeited the cost of your railway ticket.
Ii you will allow Inc to reimburse you
the amount
"Do not mention it, 4" said the gentle
man. "It is of no consequence.
"You will at least do mo the pleasure
OF permitting us to know your manner"
Certainly. Twill give you my card. "
With these words the gentleman took
out his cardcase and handed tho lady
his card. She read upon 1t the name
William Makepeace Thackeray.
1t was some weeks before the invalid
was well enough to resume his journey,
but after his return to England one of
the first visits he paid was to call upon
the great novelist in company with his
sister to thank him personally for the
great kindness no had shown him when,
as he believed, no should have died but
for his timely assistance. London MIL
Hon.