The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-12-01

or distress stealing down his aged face.
A woman's faded wrapper, an old bon
net with black strings, each carefully
rolled up and pinned, and a pair Of
shoes even more worn than those upon
the old mans feet, lay on the platform,
and he was trying to fold up a faded
plaid shawl when the baggageman
came back with the rope.
Here, let me do THE, pappy," he
said, kindly. You're ali u~nstrung, and
l N USED TO this kind of business" He
would have taken the cha wi, but the
Oldham resisted.
Il can't" he said, his cracked voice
trembling with emotion Mother had
1t round her shoulders when she died.
You're kind mister, but it seems like I
can't let nobody touch her things but
me. We lived together forty, nine
years; st n more would a been our
golden wedding, though we amt never
had much gold or silver in our lives;
but the good Lord took her, and these
clothes is ali I've got left OF her. We
took this trunk with us on our wedding
journey, and | thought it would laet to
carry her things this last time. Seemed
like '5w0uldn'G be all right to put 'em
into q new, strange trunk that didn't
know her"
The merriment had all gone out of
the faces of the two young girls, and
the young man turned away and walk
ed TO the END Of the platform.
Going to live with somebody, sir2"
asked the baggagemRn, wiping his
eyes, apparently on accoun of q cinder
or something of the kind, which had
lodged there.
Yes. I've a good daughter, sir; just
ike her mother, and her husband is
KIND, toe. I'm taking these clothes to
ner, and she'll valIy 'em beyond every
ching. H3 had the faded bonnet liz his
hand and was patting it tenderly.
II remember, sir, the day I bought
her this ere bOnuig. She hadn't had a
new one in five year, and sir, she was so
pleased when 1 brought it home hat
she kissed me. Yes, sir, kissed me, and
we'd been done with that sort of thing
tor years. Not that we didn't love one
another, but seems like our love run so
deep that there want no froth nor
bubbles on the surface; no need Of kiss.
iCg and such, you understand.
The baggageman nodded. He won.
dered if his love for his bride of a year
would aver run so deep that it would
not seek outward expression, and he
waited. patiently while the old man
folded and tucked the worn garments
into the little old trunk.
There you are, sir, " he said, respect
fully, after the strong cord was wound
round and the trunk made as secure as
possible. There's half an hour to wait.
Come in to the lunch counter and have
a cup Of hot coffee with me-"
The young girls walked away arm in
arm. 'Inever felt so ashamed in my
life" said one, as she wiped away a
tear with her embroidered handker.
chief. THAT poor old soul, and we
laughing at him"
1t happened that the four were seat
ed near each other again in the train
going up the branch. The old mar was
weary, and he tucked his old hat into
the corner by the window frame, and
dropping his head upon it was soon
asleep.
Though the day was chilly he had no
overcoat. One of the gay young girls
she who had the grace to be ashamed
slipped off her handsome furtrimmed
cape, and rising, gently laid it around
his shoulders.
Her companion did not even smile,
nor did the young man; and the train
ratified On towards its destination
Youths Companion.