The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-07-31
Influence Of a Baby.

OF the great trunk lines Of railway in
the Middle states. filed a. usual with
through passengers. They sat for the
most part silent, each absorbed in his
own thoughts. There were two great
railway magnates, on their way to New
York To consult about a "deal;' there
were commercial travellers with their
canvas valises beside them; there were
merchants, lawyers, farmers, gianciDg
over their note books, reading the pa
pers ,Iozins; there was a richly dressed,
supercilious looking woman, who, with
her child and maid, sat little apart
from the rest; there were ehattering,
giddy school girls, AN old negro 'aunty,'
and asleep at the back Of the ear -
bloated, shabby old man smelling Of
whisky. These people, gathered out
Of all classes, had no intercourse; they
looked askancc and in,iifierently at
each other.
The train, with shrek and jar,
came To full stop in the midst Of the
mountains. For few minutes the
passengers sat undisturbed, with the
calm faith Of the American in the
power Of officials 20 set things right
- the train continued stationary, how
ever, one man after another went out.
They returned with tidings that
bridge had given away, and that the
train would be detained for twelve or
fifteen hours.
There was general outery of an
noyance and vexatiOn. 1t was near
noon; everyone wanted luncheon. Each
man insisted that his business was ur-
cent and could not be delayed. One
little woman in the corner, with baby
in her arms began 10 weep unnOticed.
The women complained more or less
loudly. For few minutes, every face
was clouded, and the car was filled with
babel of angry voices Presently
somebody noticed the mother crying
over her child, and spoke 10 her.
"Oh, my baby -obbed. at i
sick, and ! hoped 20 get home in an
hour. think il Is dying"
There was "a startled silence. Then
an elderly gentleman at the back Of the
ear came forward. liam physician
he said. sLct me see the child"
IL was dangerously III, aad in need Of
active treatment. The naughty woman
who had hitherto held herself aloof was
the first to speak; she had box Of mus
tari piasters in her sdtchel, and she
tore up her fine handkerchief for BAN
dayes. The old negro woman quietly
went out, kindled fire on the road
side, and heated some water To give TIE
child hot bath.
On, woman kuelt and ehafed its
feet: another made bed for it with
shawl-. The porter brought pillows;
Hebrew drummer produced from his
bag a bottle Of laudanuni, for which the
doctor expressed wish, and even the
poor drunkard at the back OF the ear
urged his flask OF brandy on the mother,
a. being "a first rate medicine, ma am "
He looked at the child for a minute AMI
turned away. "Tm poor loafer," ne
said, 'but | kin feel for tine baby as
much a. any Of you
In the course OF three or f0Ir hours
the child was relieved, and fell into a
sw ,et sleep. Bat before that time the
Passengers in the car had al become it,
nurses and kinsfoik When it was ont
of danger, and lying calmly in it,
mothers arms, they went cut to the
grassy bank by the side Of the river,
! and improvised picnic.
Some of the men had found a farm
| house a mile or two away, and brought
bread and ham; few OF the other pas
sengers opened their satchels and pro-
duced some dainty morsel. The Jew had
! potted chickena Presbyterian minister,
oranges; a farmer passing had chess.
There was but little Of each article -
it was han Ied around, but there was
abundance of good will. They talked,
told 4 ,rieS, and one or two who had
| good voices sam.
When late in Intervening, the engine
pulled and whistled, and the conductor
shouted, .'Ail aboard 81 company Of
friendly companions crowded into the
ear, ard when they parted, few hours
later. il was with many hearty hand
shakes and IA general exchange Of good
wishes.
What good, kindly folks they all
werer' said the grateful little mother
But believe if it had not been for my
sick baby they would never have found
each other outr'
We are apt 10 forget that pain and
sickness are keys to unlock the hearts
of men toward each other. The happy,
prosperous man rarely knows OF the
depth Of tenderness which lies in hi7
brothers bosom, ready 10 meet his call
of need.