The morning call., 1894-07-05
NEW STORY OF THACKERAY
A Personal Sacrifice to Assist an
Entire Stranger.

As toward the end Of October, little over
thirty years ago, the night train Of the ChemIn
de Fer du Nord was about to leave the station
al Paris, an English gentleman got into first.
class compartment, and, slowing away his
small valise took his seat in one Of the vacant
corners He noticed that on the seat opposite
to him was gentleman who appeared to be ILL.,
his face was deadly pale; he was breathing
very heard, and appeared 10 be 10 great pain.
Are you i'll, sir? Can l be Of any assistance
TO you Z" the gentleman asked
81 am yery ILL" The sufferer replied family.
81 am subject 10 a very painful malady. and
feeling an attack coming on while In SWltZer-
land, 1 resolved TO 90 nome-to England. II
generally gives me weeks warning But
feel l SHALL mol reach Calais alive"
"But you must not go on, my dear SIR" said
his feli0w-traveler feelIngiy.
Il am a perfect stranger In Paris. / have
come right through from Geneva and do not
know word of French" replied the sick man.
almost in state Of collapse.
ut will never do for you TO travel in that
state Come, let me help you out before the
train starts"
The kindly gentleman was not moment too
soon. But by the friendly aid Of porter he got
the sufferer out OF The train, placed him gently
in cab ana had him taken to the hotel which
he himself had just quilt and where he knew
the sick man would receive every attention.
Caring for him on the way with all the tender
ness OF a woman he bade MIN cheer up. for be
knew physician who was one OF the highest
authorities on tile particular disease from
which he was suffering.
Al! the night the gentleman was exceedingly
III. nor did he Improve much the next day. The
following mo- ruIng a relation OF the sufferer
who had been telegraphed fOr-arrived, and the
kinG-heaTted geDtl men VINO had put of his
Journey 10 England, thrown away his railway
fare and spent TWO nights and day almost
constantly by the sick mans side handed over
the sufferer 10 the care OF his fiiend
Then, and not till then, did this golden
rted
journey.
Going INTO the patients room in the evening
TO bid him good by, he said:
Il must now wish you farewell, as have i'm
pOTtant business in London. l wish you a
hearty godspeed toward recovery"
The sick man was still extremely III. and not
able 10 do more than 10 press his benefactor's s
hand and To whisper few words OF gratitude.
The relative OF the patient, however, who was
no other than his sister, followed the gentleman
out OF the room, and said:
'You have not done me 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 disinterestedly taken compassion on
him, | fear his relatives and friends would
never have seen him again alive. In thanking
you again for your kindness, therefore, should
like TO know To whom we are so much in-
debted- Besides, you forfeited the cost Of your
railway ticket. IL you will allow me 10 reim-
burse you the amOunp'-
''Do not mention it," said the gentleman; "it
is OF no consequence"
"YOu Will at lrast do me the pleasure Of per-
mittng US to know your Dame?"
Certainly. l will give you my card"
With til Sc words the gentleman took out his
caTdcase and handed the lady his card. She
read upon 1t The name, ''Wiliiam Makepeace
Thack cray"
Ii was some weeks before the invalid was
well enough 10 resume his journey; but after
his return to England, one of the trst visits lie
paid was 10 call upon the great novelist, in COM
pany with his sister, to thank him personally
for The great kindness he had shown him when,
as he believed he should nave died but for his
timely assisIauce-The Million.