The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-08-14
A Child's Adventure,

Among the passengers on the south
western limited express when it left
Cincinnati, one day last week, was q
ten-year-old girl. She was alone.
Prior to the starting of the train a lady
who had accompanied her to the station
hunted up the conductor of the draw
ing-room car and also the regular train
conductor, and obtained from each
promise to look after the girl, says the
New York Sun. The lady explained
that she would be met by friends upon
the arrival of the train in New York,
and that her only anxiety was about
her safety during the journey. Then
she took her ward into one of the
drawing-room cars, placed her comfort
ably in chair, handed her bag of
fruit and some illustrated papers, re-
peating again the instructions she had
given her dozen times previously, and
finally kissed her good-by.
AS soon as the train was out OF the
station the little girl began enjoying
her fruit and the illustrations in the
papers. Some of the women psssen.
ers, seeing that she was alone, became
Interested in her and began to talk with
her. She proved very bright, and her
frank, ready replies, graceful manners
and pretty face won the friendship of
all of them. When the conductor came
around and asked for her tickets she
handed him the baggage checks.
But these are not your tickets"
said the conductor.
Yes, they are," she said. "My
aunty gave them to me-"
"No, those are the checks for your
baggage" he replied. You must
have some tickets. Look in your
pockets"
She hastily turned the pockets of her
jacket and dress inside out, and emptied
| the contents of her purse in her lap.
Her new-found friends tried to assist
her, but no tickets were forthcoming.
The conductor was puzzled and dis
mayed and the little girl was frightened.
This is strange" he said. You
look again and IN come back later"
he walked on and she renewed her
search, but without avail. The story of
the child's plight became known to all
the passengers very soon, aad they
crowded about her. All were indig-
nant and sorry at the same time.
"Don't you worry" said one, a stout
man with red cheeks, who had pre-
viously announced to his companions
in the smoking department that he
owned ranch in Colorado, "I'll see
you through this"
"Yes, 30 will l." said an orange
grower from California. 6" But what
an internal shame for the aunt to treat
the little girl in that way"
The words were no sooner spoken
than the little child, clinching her little
fist, said spiritedly:
"You're naughty, bad man to scold
aunty in the world, and she would be
with me if my uncle were not 30 sick
and -"
There she broke down and sobbed so
hard that nobody could hear the rest of
it. The women took her in charge, and
cast annihilating glances at the we'll
meaning but indiscreet Californian, who
mumbled apologies, and then retreated.
The child soon recovered under the
soothing influence of the women about
her, but would talk of nothing but her
aunt, who, she declared over and over
again, was the sweetest and best aunt
that ever was. She was chattering
about her when the conductor came
back.
"Dear me-" said he, "what am l go.
ing to do with this youngster?"
"Nothing," chorused the women
"we will be responsible for her."
"No, Pm going to pay her fare my
self" Numbered the ranchman, who
by the way, was travelling on pass.
GAIL right, ladies and gentlemen
said the conductor; "I'm glad to get
out of this affair so easily"
How much is it?" demanded the
ranchman.
The conductor named the sum and it
was promptly paid.
And now" said the ranchman, "
guess l have got the right to talk with
this little one when you ladies get
through"
Half an hour later he was seated be-
side her, and they were good friends.
She told him all about herself, but kept
reverting to her aunt constantly. He
was pointing out objects of interest
to her as they stopped at Columbus
when the conductor entered the car.
"Here's your money back" he said
to the ranchman. Just got this tele-
gram"
He read it aloud as the passengers
crowded around. 1t was as follows
"Pass Emily Mason through to New
York, with lower berth No. 5 in car 6.
Tickets forgotten. Have been depos.
tied here by Mrs. Mason"
1t was signed by the agent at Cincin-
natl, and had come over the company's
private wire.
There" said Emily, jumping up
and clapping her hands Sleefully. "