Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1898-01-05
A Pathetic Incident.

It was at the Grand Central station,
and we were waiting for train.
Near us, in the waiting room, sat an
old lady, dressed in the deepest mourn
ing; young woman sat by her side,
who was evidently her companion in
the journey.
Don't you think we better telegraph,
Mary, that we are here? the old lady
asked. 1t seems so strange that she
hasn't come to meet us; maybe she
didn't get the letter.
But at that moment a lady ap-
preached the new corners. 1t was very
warm, and from her appearance it was
evident that she had made hurried
trip to the station. She was not glad
to see these travellers, however, for
her welcome was anything but cordial.
We thought maybe you didn't get
the letter about our coming, the old
lady said.
Yes, got it this morning, but I've
been running all over the neighbor-
hood to find you a room, and 1 am
about sick over it. Whatever pos
sessed you to come to the city this hot
weather, mother? We havn't place
for you at our fiat, and they can't pos
sibly have you at IS, with their
four children. l don't see why you
ever let her come her!- This with
glance of disapproval on the young
woman.
She was determined to come, Mary,
and besides, don't see how can keep
her this summer, with all those city
boarders.
What have you got in all those bun
dies, mother7 The first speaker asked,
in an unpleasant tone of voice, as her
eyes fell on several large bundles ly-
ing at the old 1ady's side.
Clothes, she answered in trembling
voice.
I'm surprised that you should have
allowed her to bring all that old truck.
Where is she going to put it, I'd like
to krowl This to the young woman.
Well, what could do about it, Mary?
She would bring all her things with
her.
Now, I'll tell you, mother, just what
we think best for you to do. AS soon
as got your letter, had John te1e-
graph to N, to see if they could
take you in there, and G. said
they could make room for you for a
few days, but not any longer. And
we all think the very best place for
you to go is to an old ladies' home
somewhere, real nice one, of course,
where you could have your own room
and every comfort. You see you are
too old to be running about the coun-
try, and too old to be of any use now
to anybody anywhere. Don't you
think that is the best thing you do
yourself?
By this time the old lady was shak-
ing violently, and great beads of per-
spiration stood out on her forehead.
The plan had been sprung upon her in
such an unfeeling manner!
The station was crowded with people
in the vicinity of this scene, and the
faces of the listeners looked Mortified.
The people who had been obliged to
witness this meeting at the station
were all in sympathy with the poor
old mother, their hearts went out to
her, and they looked tenderly towards
her.
1t was our train-time, and we had to
go, and do not know what was done
with mother" but as we passed we
heard the old soul timid1y ask, ''How
is John7" and the answer: ooh, he
is well, but of course he could not
leave his business to come up here in
the middle of the day to meet you.''
The pitiful, disappointed, distressed
look on that poor old mothers face has
been before us ever since we saw it
that day in the station.
We know nothing of the circum-
stances of the case, only as we judged
from the conversation we heard. But
we know that those younger, stronger
women, who evidently did not wish
the burden of the care of their own
mother, or their husbands mother, did
a most cruel wrong in the manner
they treated the one who had done her
work in life, and by reason of age and
feebleness could not be of use to them
longer. oh, the pity of it all!
Passing to the outgoing train with
dear child at hand to see that mother
got off all right and had all the COM
forts necessary for the journey, we
thought how thankful mothers ought
to be for good, thoughtful, loving chill
dren, children who do not feel that
they have no room for mother. but
who are always glad to have her come
to them, and always sorry to have her
go away.-N. Y. Evangelist.
Fifteen Hours Quicker Time.