The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1898-05-10
TIE Kindness OF
Goddard Goodenou0h.
By JOHN j. A'BEOKET.
[Copyright, 1898. by the Author. I

"'chue caOlo car was at IWonty-thlrd
street and Broadway when this occurred
There was nothing extraordinary in the
mere fact. Tho morning papers report
ed that three or four policemen had
snccumbed the day before. This was
young girl of Slight physique and ex-
ceeding delicaey of constitution, if her
color told the truth. She was also pc
culiarly attractive, though that has
nothing to do with her fainting
1t was o'clock in the afternoon of
the sixth day of this merciless persocu
ton of the sun. New York city Lad
gasped under it, writhcd under it,
tainted under it, died under it, for in
scores of cases tho vital flame was
quenched by tho insufforabo heat. Even
on the shady side Of Broadway and in
relatively cool spots where at times
blessed little putfs of wind came as
heeting but welcome visitants tho
thormometric tube inhumanly register
ed 96 degrees. In the "better done"
portions of the city it ranged at record
breaking heights. Small wonder that
this slender Girl should faint.
She had been showing symptoms of
distress all the way up town, but had
fought hard to hold out until she reach
ed her destination. a young man next
to her in the car had regarded her close
ly now and then over the corner of his
paper. When she collapsed, he support
ed her until the car was stopped. Then
the policeman at the crossing, who in
obedience to natures first law Of self
preservation, had unbuttoned his coat
despite the fact that ho thereby reveal
ed q wilted calico shirt and rotund
but unwilted stomach, came forward,
and the suffering girl was taken into a
chemists shop hard by.
II was u haven of rcfreshmont after
the burning outer air, for it was shady
and cool. a thin, shiny black cat
sprawled with abandon on the mosaic
floor III the effort to expose as much Of
her frame as possible to it's cool contact.
There were no electric fans in the shop,
but two counters were entirely devoted
to soda and mineral water fountains,
and the quantity of cracked ice in use
at them had salutary influence on the
temperature.
They put the poor girl in chair at
the farthest and hence coolest end Of
the shop and two clerks began devot-
ing themselves to her relief. Towels
wet with ice water were applied to her
head and wrists. The policeman had
sunk Oh one knee by her side and looked
the picture of municipal benevolence.
But the scrap Of paper and lead pencil
in his hands showed lie was waiting for
chance to get the girls name and ad-
dress in case of fatal result
An ambulance had been summoned
fl,1 Il
it arrived the girl refused to go in it,
with faint but decided gesture of re-
pugnance. She was neatly dressed in
some light summer fabric and looked
more than respectable.
The young man had remained close
at hand, sympathetic locker on rather
than assistant in the charitable endeav-
or to bring tho girl round possibly be-
cause Others seemed to know perfectly
what to do, while he, like many anot'
er, had only willing heart and igno-
rant hands in an emergency.
The girl in raising her heavy eyelids
may have recognized the young man as
her neighbol on tho car. Hc had win
ming, kindly expression. At last the
girl moved to rise, saying in her weak
voice that she felt we'll enough to go.
In getting to her feet her hand went
forth, and unthinkingly she grasped
the young fellows arm. He crooked it
firmly that she might feel its stout sup
port, and they walked slowly to the
door. A hanson had drawn up in front
Of tho shop with view to the likely
need Of its services.
'Do you mind coming with me in
that cab to my homer" tho girl said to
the young man in q low voice, hut wist-
fully, diffidently. 81 am afraid to 20
alone, and policeman in the cab would
lock too bad. I am sorry to trouble
you SO much, but 1 fear I may faint
again, and 1 feel that can trust you,
that you are gentleman.
The young man, who was not with
out leaven Of good Samaritanism, at
once assented, and after gently helping
her into the cab climbed in himself
When he asked the girl where he should
tell tho driver to &c, she answered in n
weak voice: "Tell him to drive up to
Central park and take turn in there
first. The air may help me, and then
will give my home address,
During the drive up town the girl
said little. Her head leaned wearily
against the side Of the cab, and her eyes
remained closed. But soon after they
had entered the park and tho air circled
about them more freely she sat up.
Then she began to speak to her COM
panion in firmer voice and with great
earnestness There was singularly
soft, moving quality in her voice. and
it was exquisitely modulated. Delicate
earnest, oddly fascinating, she affected
the young fellow pathetically.
II know something of human ma
ture," she said "and l feel that you
are a kind, honorable, self confident
man. You have pity for the suffering
At all events am going to tell you
something and am going to ask you
something, but you must promise me
never to betray what / shal. say,
whether you grant my request or not.
That you can do without hesitation.
Will your"
Certainly" replied the young mon
sympathetioally. II should respect any
confidence you reposed in me without q
given promise, and if can help you 1
shall be glad to do So"
The girl heaved long sigh Of relief,
and hop eyes elovlv cloeod ooatn m 20