Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1897-04-19


the ticket agents Office. The old man
with the white hair and frayed out over
coat with the neat patches seemed to be
having some trouble, and the crowd got
impatient.
GLOW much did you say?' queried
the old man as he looked distressfully
through the little cubby window at the
sharp featured ticket agent.
''Nine fiftyr' replied the ticket agent
crisply. Hurry up there, old man.
There are more people behind you"
mime ffty!'' repeated the old man,
with a scared look in his eyes. 'tW-h-y
why thought-that' funny-I've
got only So
''You have only S. said the ticket
agent YEARLY. well, say, that amt
enough You'll have to go and get some
more.' And he raped impatiently on
the window ledge.
"Get - some - more - money! re-
peated the old man helplessly. "Wh-why
Il can't do that. I just come in from
so miles out here. Amt you got some
kind of ticket you can femme have for
$6?'' with pleading note i'll his voice.
''N-o-Ic can't do that, but I tell you
what you do You can go down town and
get ticket at ticket brokers Office
said the agent. And his voice sank low
er, and he whispered softly through the
little window, Just you go down town
and find some ticket broker, and I guess
you'll be all right. -
The old man turned away in dazed
and helpless sort of manner, his hand
tremblingly clasped around the knotted
head of the old, gnarled stick and his
eyes suffused with tears.
''Ticket broker,'' he repeated wonder
ingly and moved out helplessly into the
crowd.
''What's the matter with the old
MANI" queried the next man i'll line, a
CHEEKY young fellow who slapped down
his money snappily for a ticket.
''Why, the old duffer wants a ticket
down here into southern Illinois, and
he's about 81 Short said the ticket
agent as he rapidly made change, passed
out the mans ticket and looked inquir-
ingly over the fellows shoulder to the
next man in line. The young fellow put
his ticket in his pocket in a thoughtful
manner, gazed over toward the old man
touched him gently ON the shoulder:
"Say, old man, what's the natter"
he asked as the rest of the crowd looked
ON curiously. And those who had al
ready bought their tickets crowded pity
ingly about
"I'm a little short of buying my
ticket, said the old man as his eyes
glimmered bravely through his tears.
81 must have made a mistake at home
and didn't bring enough. Guess I'll get
it fixed all right, though, - he said as he
crushed back the ready tears which
sprang into his eyes and started to push
away through the crowd.
''Well, hold on repeated the young
fellow as his face took on a kindly look.
"Where were you going?"
At his question the old mans eyes
were dimmed with tears again.
Down here in Illinois, he said
through the muffiing sobs which stif1ed
his voice. my little granddaughter is
sick-a-n-d L got-I got a letter to come.
didn't know it was SO much for a
t-ticket''- And his voice sank lower
and he. looked weakly around upon the
assembled crowd, whose eyes glistened
in kindly pity.
''Well, here said the young fellow
hastily as he pulled out a half dollar
and pressed it into the old mans hand.
''See if this will help you any" And
buttoning up his coat tightly he slid
alphabetically through the crowd and
disappeared, while two or three others
followed his example and one fairly
dressed fellow took the old mans hat
and held it out.
Here's a quarter for the old man
and another for his granddaughter, " he
said, dropping in couple of silver
pieces and holding the hat expectantly
toward the crowd.
And, surging forward, they dropped
in eager nickels and dimes and gave the
old man numerous kindly and gentle
patson the shoulder. The money was
poured into his overcoat pocket, and
they took him up stairs and gave him a
seat in the soft leather cushion chairs.
There were tears of gratefulness
streaming down the old man. S cheeks,
and he looked upon the crowd with be-
nevolent eyes, and many colored sheep
ishly and with faint cough walked
away, feeling suspiciously for their
handkerchiefs.
In few minutes the old man said he
guessed he'd go out for little fresh air.
And about three minutes later ON
back doorstep i'll neighbOring alley
three excited men, one 4 fairly dressed
young fellow, another a man of slightly
grizzled features and the other a CHEEKY
looking young man, We're cOnvulsed
with smothered laughter and went into
muff1ed parOxysmS of mirth.
"Oo-o-ha, ha, haI'' said the fairly
dressed young fellow, and, taking off
the old mans hat, he held it out.