The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-09-08
NOBLESSE OBLIGE.
from a Scene in a Railway
Waiting-ROOm.

noon. The place is a waiting room of
suburban station on the lake side
of Chicago. The annual northeast
winds have set in, and at this mo-
ment are blowing with keen and cut
ting force in ftful gusts against the
door of the waiting-room, forcing it
wide open. With each swing of the
door the occupants are deluged with
wave of piercing cold. A mother
with her babe in her arms is sitting
where the chilling draft strikes her
with full force, causing her to cast
frowning glances at the door, which
she attempts to close once or twice,
only to see it swing ope~ again and
again, as if in league with the wind. A
young woman has taken refuge behind
the gas stove, SO comfortabl herself
as to be quite oblivious to the suffering
of others. Two stalwart laborers,
whose bronzed cheeks show that they
are accustomed to the toughest
weather, pay no more attention to the
searching winds than does the self
conscious little railroad official whose
duty evidently does not include the
closing of swinging doors.
At this juncture a sixth person
stepped in who took in the situation
at once. While feeling the cold as
much as anyone, she promptly deter
mined to shut it out, if possible. Her
quiet experiments, however, were
quickly interrupted by the man with
the lettered cap, who seemed to think
her good intentions were out of place,
endangering the property of the COM
pany. And besideA" said he, there
is no use in trying to close the door:
it cannot be done"
In answer to Sir Oracle's assertion,
the latest conner took up newspaper,
folded it compactly and clamped it
between the door and the frame, thus
effectually shutting out the cold,
greatly to the comfort of all present.
The mother with the babe bestowed
look of gratitude, while the crest
fallen official had nothing to say.
Every community is exposed to the
blighting blasts of misery and death
emanating directly from the saloon, a
storm that blows the year round,
threatening at any moment to rise to
the force of a cyclone. The ones who
suffer most directly and terribly from
this evil are not always equal to the
task of subduing it, however great
their Indignation. Turning to another
class, the men of Drawn and rude
strength, the force they have is too
much like that of the blind Samson,
and there is a lack Of quick sympathy
and deep feeling. 1T takes a soul to
move a body, it takes a high-souled
man to move the masses" Another
class, like the girl behind the stove,
are so in love with ease and luxury,
they live so far apart from their less
fortunate fellowmen, as to be quite
oblivious to their misery. The petty
RAILROAD official represents the sordid
commercial spirit that is without
sentiment, or humanity, having an eye
single only to profit and routine, say
ing in effect: Business interests are
paramount, and besides, the evil Of
which you complain can never, never
be abolished"
Meanwhile, here are the precious
groups of tender ones shivering and
suffering in the blast, whose unhappy
condition imperatively demands the
destruction of the evils there left
anyone who is in duty bound to be-
come the deliverer? Yes, it is that
large and influential class of persons
typified by the lady who closed the
waiting-room door, the Christian peo-
pie of intelligence, resolution and
character. The possession of the
means and ability of rescue consti-
tutes the highest call of duty in case
of need, and how great is the need!
Noblesse oblige. The number of Gods
noblemen and noblewomen is sufTl-
GENTLY large to shut the door against
the saloon in every hamlet, city and
state of the union. The eternal diem
ma confronts every strong soul born
into the world. Shall leave things as
find them, avoid what is unpleasant
and seek only my own comfort and
profit? Or, shall become volunteer
in the great army of reform? Active
reform work is not a matter of within
or officiousness, as some thoughtless
people imagine, but deep necessity
OF every generous and noble nature.
BY an memorable law of our being, the
man or woman who hears the inner
voice of duty and needs it not, God
may give them their request. but He
sends leanness into their souls. "Woe
is me, if I preach not the Gospel"
saith St. Paul. But when the call is
heartily and resolutely obeyed, the
richest personal blessings and the
greatest satisfaction are secured.-
Union Signal.
HNHNAKYaIAHa