The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-11-24

tIubOn. III WAS
the inevitable Faust" and Gounod' s
lovely music still rang in our ears as we
hurried up the steps OF the elevated rail.
road station ut Forty second street on our
way home. We looked back for moment
at the eager crowd as we mounted the
long flight Then we were pushed on by
a sudden movement of the throng toward
the station platform There was a rush.
"A Kissing of steam, "a creaking of iron, a
clanking of gates swung wide, a hoarse
cry from the guard, and we found our
selves swept by the flow Of belated pleas
urc seekers irresistihly into car already
well filed. We were separated for a min
ute and when l looked back / saw Janet
nodding her thanks to an odd figure of a
man as she sank into a seat Perhaps |
should not say odd for nothing is odd in
New York, where all nations and all
classes and conditions of men meet in the
elevated railroad train on an equal foot
ing. But the figure was little singular
in that il was not New York figure.
The ruddy health in the boyish face was
not the product of New York air the
square cut, awkward coat and the shape
less felt hat were unmistakably bought at
a general store, " where molasses and
seed corn were leading commodities The
thick shingled hair might have been cut to
the measure of a chopping bowl. The fig
ure was bucollc--there was no mistuking
It, made my way to Janet's side and
turned to thank her benefactor. Just then
some one left the adjoining seat vacant,
and with the feeling that reciprocal kind
ness was the best evidence of appreciation,
l pressed the stranger into it, much
against his will. And as he protested
I...N l.
him: II am sure that you are not a New
Yorker Our New York men do not give
their seats 10 women"
can see the 400 distinct looks of disap-
proval which would have rested on Janet
If her social acquaintances had seen her
thus address "total stranger" was
not shocked l was simply amused. But
was more interested in watching the ef
feet of her speech on her neighbor than in
speculating on its possible effect on her
| friends. The sensitive rural nature too
often draws back panied at its contrast
| with what Is of 1.-THE city" For mo-
ment it was "a question whether the stran-
ger would resent the suggestion, but the
tactful tone and the pleasant smile dis
armed resentment. The youth went to
the other extreme. The ruddy check flush
ed "A deeper red, but not with embarrass
ment.
''No, I'm from the country" he sale
frankly. II haven't been here more thai
day or two. 1 couldn't let woman
stand up and l sit here. Standings pret
ty easy for man unless he's been walk
ing all day"
There was something personal in thu
last sentence that led me TO think that tn,
young countryman had been walking
great deal that day.
II never was in New York BEFORE" he
said. 81 have come from little town in
the west to see if can learn little more
| and do a little more perhaps in a big town
| than I can in our little one. We haven't
many chances there, and there's so much
here-the libraries and the schools and ev
erything. You'd think 1 was pretty bis
to go to school, wouldn't you? But
| think a mans never too old to go to
! school If there's anything to learn. -
He looked around to see what effect his
little speech had had. Meeting look OF
pleasant interest, he plunged into deeper
condolences. He told of the little town
and the stagnation of its almost insular
life, of the ambition that he had to see
and to learn, of the lonely fireside where
his mother and younger brother sat-his
one regret. 1t was not conversation, it
was recital. 1t came to an end just be-
fore we reached our station.
"This is where I get of, 4" said Janet
"I'm afraid I've been telling you a lot
that doesn't interest you, said the young
man, scarlet of face again.
1T interests me very much" " said Ja-
net with sincere smile. 81 believe in
the fellowship of man. hope that you
may find all that you hope for here
Goodby." She turned and nodded, smil-
ing to him as we left the car. He was
looking after us, hat in hand, seemingly
forgetful of his surroundings, as 1 glanced
back from the station platform.
/ never thought to see the face or the
figure again. The encounter with them,
though, came very naturally. / went to
the Lenox library to consult an authority