Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-10-06
AN ANGEL UNAWAREs.
A Pathetic Little Tale OF Three Women
and Two Babies.

| was on Sixth Ave. surface car,
and when she got at Twenty-eight
street there we're but five passengers
two women, each with a baby, and
the spectator.
One Of the women sat in the far
corner, while the other saton the op-
site side.
The spectator is not, as a rule,
"given" to babies, but that baby was
one of that irresistible sort that
laughs and makes fun of you, gurg-
ling out all sorts of disjointed criti-
cisms Of your personal appearance
and general makeup that would be
simply unbearable could you but I'M
derstand it.
How such delightful baby could
ever have selected such mother
was inexplieable.
AS you looked at her hard and I'M
womanly face-which not even her
baby's smile could soften-you in
voluntarily pitied the child that some
day must turn to her for sympathy
help.
These observations were just COM
pleted when the car stopped, and
she stepped on.
She was plainly dressed in gown
of dark brown, made of some rich
corded material, edged with fur.
Her cololing was of that warm, rich
tint that one finds in 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 indescriba-
BILE air-in spite, or perhaps because
other otherwise modest demeanor-
that proclaimed her the woman of.
pleasure.
She seated herself across the car
and imms dlately that baby attrac
ed by something-who can say what?
some latent goodness in that face
perhaps, which her innocent wisdom,
untainted as yet by the wisdom of
this world, recognized-prepared to
make conquest of the newcomer.
She moved her little plump hand
and cooed and laughed. Who could
resist her
Her face became suffused; her
eyes cleaned with happiness. She
was no longer merely a pretty CO.
quette. She was beautiful, woman
ly woman.
Leaning forward, she kissed the
little hand TREMENDOUSLY.
Finally, yielding to an irresistible
impulse, she crossed over and sat be-
side the mother, who might have
been carven image for any sign of
life she gave.
"Would you let ne hold that dear
baby just minute?"
For the first time that wooden
face became expressive. Those
light blue eyes actually glinted and
sparkled.
In thin voice that gave vent to
all the malice of barrow nature,
she jeered:
"You! Why, l would not leave
you touch her!"
The poor face changed.
The beautiful, happy flush deepen
ed to a cruel rcd. From an express
sion of angelic tenderness it took on
one that was in itself an impreca-
ton.
For the baby's pure sake she
smothered it at the door of her
lips.
At that moment the car stopped,
and she hurried to the door.
She was not so quick, however,
but that the other mother caught
her hand, her plain, kind, motherly
face alight with a divine impulse Of
generosity.
II get off here" she said. "Won't
you carry my baby little way?
My arms are very tired.n
As they stepped together from
the platform of the car the specta-
tor, overcome with reverence for
the beautiful charity of that act, felt
that he dimly understood what it
was to "entertain an angel una
wares "-New York Recorder.