Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-30
SMALL, SWEET COURTESIEs

The other morning ran down 18th street
just in time to jump aboard the open car Of
an avenue cable train, which was nearly
filled with office-going passengers. The
only bench with vacant space in it was
near the rear end, and at its end sat
gentleman who supported pair of crutches
at his side. I climbed in by him, and as l
did so a rich voice said:
Il should have moved up for you, sir,
but 1 alight at the next corner"
The sky was leaden and dull haze hung
over everything, but all seemed suddenly
lighted up for me by that exquisite CLEAN
of natural courtesy remarkable in such
connection and so good and gracious.
Instantly, of course. 1 turned to express
my appreciation and an apology for posi-
Fred. Calvert, whose hurt at the Ford's
Theater disaster made him a permanent
cripple.
This little episode has served to make me
have many pleasant thoughts and to ru-
inmate on those small, sweet courtesies of
life that make it full sometimes of rare de-
light, while the lack of them so often mars
the tune of day.
Mr.. Calvert's remark reminded me of
another incident that also happened in a
street car. With all the seats full and the
horses steaming and laboring to make
schedule time and save the driver a dock
in wages, an street car was rolling along
when an old and griZzled negro woman
with kerchief peepng from beneath a
faded hat hailed 1t and climbed on. She
bore heavy bundle in her arms and
could free neither hand to grasp strap.
I was standing in front of a splendd-look-
ing girl with the mellow light of the south
in her hair and eyes and a superb figure
of health clad in fashionable garb. There
were half a dozen men seated, but the girl
arose.
Here nanny" she said in a rich voice.
half entreatng and half commanding that
bespoke the south even more than her ap-
pearance. you're tiahed SIT down here"
Cor Dress yuh honey" said the old wo-
thankfulness she YEARLY dropped into the
seat, Il dun wawk To- miles, ur I'd nebber
TUX it fun yuh.'
Every seated man was upright in min
ute, and supple backs Bonded invitations
to the girl, but a fine scorn curled her lip
and shapely, well-gloved hand caught a
strap. Two sleepish-lookirg fellows couldn't
stand it, and got off, and the girl
good deal brighter for good many people.
Still, that girls action was the result of
decades of refined superiority, and she
would deem 1t singular if any one had eX-
pressed surprise at it.
x < =
When we come to think of it, how easy
it is to be polite and gracious. Look over
the Est of your acquaintances and pick cut
those whom you most like to meet and 1
venture to say every face will wear a smile
to your minds eye and every pair of lips
be breaking in words of genial greeting
There is nothing smooths the path of ex-
istence much as those same Small
sweet courtesies," and it's a pity they are
not more frequent and in more general
use. In these days of the end seat hogs on
open cars and careleSSneSS about the COM
fort of the old and decrepit, regardless of
sex or color, that is sadly predominant,
instances such l have related are re-
freshing. So l chronicle them, and follow
the train of thought they lead to.
= = x X
Why, oh, why is it that the average man
ceases to treat his wife with that gallant
courtesy that characterized his counting
days long before the first baby is born?
There is not a married man who will read
that question without having an indignant
denial of the accusation that the query
suggests ready to spring forth, and there's
rot one in three score who will not realize
that it is a proper Interrogation, when he
thinks about it. l have in my minds eye
an excellent example of the genus in this
regard. little over a year ago his Phyllis
listened coyly to his lutte of love, and never
was there swain more devoted. Were they
in company he was first to seek the easiest
OF cushioned chairs for her to rest in. At
church he held her hymn book, and after
service tenderly placed her cape about her
shoulders. Not a step was she allowed to
take by his side without the support of his
ready arm. When he met her on the street
his face was aureoled in delightful bright
ness and his hat described a circle through
the air nearby. Her friends envied her
such a charming catch, and his friends ap-
proved him cordially. The wedding bells
rang out, and every one said it was a
splendid match.
Thrice this past four weeks I have seen
them. If they recognize themselves let it
be a little lessor. for the future The first
time was in small company at private
house. She was telling a story of summer
experience they had. Four times he contra
dicted her as to details that We're unimpor-
tant at best, and once he did so petulantly
The dear little thirg thanked him each time
for setting her right, and then proceeded
with her narrative. Again I saw them at
the theater-the Brownies were holding the
stage and the ridiculous German band was
CONFUSING the house. She was laughing
immo derately, when I heard him: Good
gracious, pet, anybody would think you
rever saw anything funny before" I no
ticed when the curtain fell that she put on
her own cloak and that he was four persons
in front of her coming cut the aisle.
Three or four days later 1 saw them meet
on F street. There was not so much as a
grin on his face He barely touched his hat
he joined her. and his hands went deep
in his overcoat pockets they walked along
together. 7 met her dearest friend a few
moments afterward, and spoke of meeting
them.
they are just the happiest pair of people in
The world! She fairly raves over him. and
he dotes on her; but he is one of those
peculiar fellows who do not like to make q
show of their feelings
And that's what everybody else saws
Somehow or other l can't help feeling that
Phyllis, with all her raving must some
times miss the old-time courtly chivalry and
find inc r,jGo h.,~