Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-14
Overcropped.

Some days ago I made little trip on
the railroad. and did not reach my stop
ping place until ten o'clock at night. II
was a hot steaming night ride, and the
seats were filled with weary people. who
famed and perspired. drank water and
nodded in their uncomfortable surround
ings. had noticed a group, few seats
IN front Of me- 1t was q woman with five
little children about her knees. They were
all small. the youngest. an infant of five
weeks old: the eldest apparently about
nine years, or maybe less. When we
changed cars in Atlanta she contrived TO
get on our next train somehow. but how,
never did know exactly. for all the chill
dren were nearly or quite asleep when the
other train entered the car shed. But in
less time than can write II. all five were
soon stretched out on full seat apiece
and we started for Cartersville-with close
connection OF trains. 81.
I was so concerned to know II she. got
along safely that I went over TO her place
TO find out II could help her with that
weary dust-covered little squad for 1
was sorry for her. from the bottom Of my
heart.
She had been travelling all day long. al
most from the Florida line. and could not
finish her journey that night, as her next
train would not start until ten o'clock
next day, and she must get on at Carriers
Vile at ten D. m. and lie over-without
any help for the delay or her sleepy-head-
ed little ones
She was young woman and pretty; ana
as she said, she was resting for the first
time that day. when the restless brood
were fast asleep-and quiet-in the night
hours.
I remarked, You have had a weary
day I am sure. with the heat and your
children"
You may be sure OF IT," she replied.
''It has been a day OF hard work with
baby only five weeks old. and I had TO
part with my oldest child. one a little
bigger than Bessie. over there. because
he could not come now. must walt until
his papa can come"
1 said You have had a time OF II to feed
and water them. haven't you-all this
long. hot day. and up int the night?"
"Oh, yes" sighed the tired-out young
mother" but how would I have lived
through It. II they had not been fed and
| watered?"
went back TO my seat and interested
myself in thinking about the life Of that
young woman, with six little ones all I'M
/ der eleven years OF age. and wondered II
she was not what our farmers would call
''overcropped!'
When the whistle blew for our town
! land where she was to get of as before
| said, until another days start could be
made) ] wondered how all or those nVe
children were TO be carried. for all were
completely tagged out and so sound
| asleep. that when she walked up one, and
pulled Il up straight on its seat. IL would
sdile down again, and be sleep again in
| second. She made two rounds. after this
fashion, 70 no effect. when she bethought
herself OF a wet towel.
Then she raised them up one by one
again and applied the towel, because the
/ train was then slowing up. and all were
/ still sleeping the sound sleep Of the inRo-
cent in spite OF her hurried efforts to
/ wake them. I heard the conductor say,
/ did yon ever IN your life! They drop
/ down faster than she can rouse them, to
save her lifer'
He. good. willing soul, stood ready to
/ for another. but there were two more be-
/ slide down again, and be sleep gain In
/ and the wet towel did NO good, except TO
make them cooler and feel more like pro-
longing the nap.
She finally woke Bessie with a tingling
slap on her cheek and poor child, she
/ cried like she was hurt. but had to get
out, and the last glimpse I had Of the
/ group was the young mothers still frantic
| efforts TO get her brood awake so that
| they might be lifted out Of the train, by
one and another helper. "Overcropped'
| IS the word to AZ the situationl Any 9TH
| er woman would have been equally flus-
| trated. feel sure I should not have per-
formed with half OF that overcropped
mothers forbearance and resignation In
her situation.