The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-06-14
AN ANGEL UNAWARES.
A Pathetic Little Tale of Three Women
and Two Babies


and Two Babies
It was on Sixth avenue surface car,
and when sho got on at Twenty
street there were but five passengers
two women, each with u baby, and the
spectator.
One of tho women sat in tho far cor.
ner, whilo tho other sat on tho opposite
side
Tho spectator is not, as o rule, 'giv-
en- to babies, but that baby was one Of
that irresistible sort that laughs and
makes fun of you, gurgling out all sorts
of disjointed criticisms of your personal
appearance and general makeup that
would be simply unbearable could you
but understand it.
How such a delightful baby could
ever have selected such Il mother was
ineXplicable
As you looked Mt her hard and un-
womanly face-which not even her
baby's smile could softcn-you involun-
tarily pitied the child that some day
must turn to her for sympathy and help.
These observations werc just complet-
cd when the car stopped, and she step
ped on.
She was plainly dressed In o gown of
dark brown, made of some rich corded
material, edged with fur. Her coloring
was of that warm, rich tint that ono
finds i'll the women of the south, with
golden brown hair and eyes. Altogether
she was most good to look at,
But about her was that intangible,
Elusive something, that indcscribable
air-in spite, or perhaps because, of her
otherwise modest demennor-that pro
claimed her tho woman of pleasure
She seated herself across tho car, and
Immediately that baby, attracted by
something-who can say what?-somc
latent goodness in that faco perhaps,
which her innocent wisdom, untaintcd
as yet by the wisdom of this world, nc
ognized-preparcd to mako conquest
of the newcomer.
She moved her little plump hand and
cooed and laughed. Who could resist
her?
Her face became suffuscd; her eyes
cleaned with happiness. She was no
longer merely n pretty coQuette She
was beautiful, womanly woman.
Leaning forward, she kissed the little
hand TREMENDOUSLY.
Finally, yielding to All Irresistible
impulse, she crossed over and sat beside
the mother, who might haze been IL
carvcn image for any sign OF life she
gave.
"Would-would you letn lAld that
dear baby just minutc:'
For the first time that wooden f:s1,
became expressive. Those light blue
eyes actually slirtcd and srarklcd.
In thin voice that gave vent to oil
the malice Of q nalrow nature, She
jccrcd:
you. Why, w,nlfhl't let yuu
touch hcr!'
The poor face changed
Tho beautiful, happy flusi, dcpp1x.l
to Il cruel nd. From an cXppsSion OF
angelic tenderness it took on ono that
was i'll itself an imprcation
For the baby's pure sake she SMITH
cred it ut the door of her lips.
AT that moment the car stopped, a1Sl
she hurried TO the door
She was not so quick, however, but
that the other mother caught her hand,
her plain, kind, motherly face all alight
with divine impulse of generosity.
get OH mere, she said Won
you carry my baby II little way? My
arms are very tired y
AS they stepped together from the
platform of the car the spectator, over
come with reverence for the beautiful
charity of that act, felt that he dimly
understood what it was to entertain an
angel unawarcs !'-New y ork Recorder