The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-07-18
A STORY OF THACKERAY.

Which Illustrates the Gentle Thoughtful
ness of the Famous Novelist.
AS toward the end of October little
over 40 years ago the night train OF
the Chenin de Fer du Nord was about
to leave the station at Paris an English
gentleman got into first class compart-
ment, and slowing away his small va
Ese took his seat in one Of the vacant
corners. He noticed that on the seat op-
posite to him was a gentleman who ap-
peared to be ILL., His face was deathly
pale; he was breathing very hard ana
appeared to be i'll great pain.
care YOU i'll, sir? Can l be of any
assistance to you?" the gentleman
asked.
Il am very ill.," the sufferer replied
family. Il am subject to very pain
full malady, and feeling an attack COM
ing on while i'll Switzerland l resolved
to go home-to England 1t generally
gives me weeks warning. But feel
I shall not reach Calais alive.
'But you must not go on, my dear
sir, said his fellow traveller feellngly.
II am perfect stranger in Paris.
have come right through from Geneva,
and do not know a word OF French,
replied the sick man, almost III state
of collapse.
that state Come, let me help you out
before the train starts. y
The kindly gentleman was not mo-
ment too soon. But by the friendly aid
of porter he got the sufferer out OF the
train, placed him gently in cab and
had him taken to the hotel which he
himself had just quilted and where he
knew the sick man would receive every
attention. Caring for him on the way
with all tho tenderness of woman, he
babe him cheer up, for he knew ply
stefan who was one of the highest au-
thorities on the particular disease from
which he was suffering
All the night the gentleman was ex-
ceedingly i'll, nor did he improve much
the next day. The following morning
relation of the sufferer, who had been
telegraphed for, arrived, and the kind
hearted gentleman who had put off his
journey to England, thrown away his
railway fare and spent two nights and a
day almost constantly by the sick mans
side handed over the sufferer to the care
of his friend.
Then, and not till then, did this gold
en- hearted man decide to resume his in
terrupted journey.
Going into the patients room in the
evening to bid him goodby, he said:
81 must now wish you farewell, as
have important business i'll London. l
wish you hearty godspeed toward re-
covery."
The sick man was still extremely i'll
and not able to do more than press his
benefactor's hand and whisper a few
words of gratitude.
The relative of the patient, however,
who was no other than his sister, fol-
lowed the gentleman out of the room
and said:
"YOu have not done me the honor to
tell me to whom 1 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 l fear his relatives and friends
would never have seen him again alive.
In thanking you again for your kindness,
therefore, l should like to know to whom
we are SO much indebted Besides you
forfeited the cost of your railway ticket.
If you will allow me to reimburse you
the amOunt''-
do not mention it, said the gentle
man. cit is of no consequence
"You will at least do me the pleasure
of permitting US to know your name?"
Certainly. Twill give you my card. -
With these words the gentleman took
out his cardcase and handed the lady
his card. She read upon it the name
William Makepeace Thackeray
1t was some weeks before the invalid
was well enough to resume his journey,
but after his return to England one of
the first visits he paid was to call upon
the great novelist in company with his
sister to thank him personally for the
great kindness he had shown him when,
as he believed, he should have died but
for his timely assistance London Mil
lion.