Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-02-03
CUP OF HOT COFFEE

pcarance. 1t would never do 10 JET my
uncle think that we generally went
second class Besides my own luggage
I took good sized bag In the carriage
with us. and at the bottom of that was
small handbag with Delia's jewels
Della thought that way was safer.
! The train was just starting when an
uld gentleman climbed painfully int
aur carriage. He was peculiarly dress
ed in a very loud check dlster, and he
wore Tam O'Shanter cap with two
ribbons hanging down at the back. He
had white hair and a white beard and
fierce eyes ! was almost afraid Of him,
but Della whispered. "What a nice old
gentleman as he sat down in the op-
pOsite corner.
The three IF us sat in strained silence
for long time. Suddenly the old gen
tleman grunted, "Stuffy! and looked
around AT us.
"Stuny." he grunted again. And then
he asked Della very politely if she
would mind him opening the window.
Della didn't mind. and we got into
He was Il Scotchman going back to his
home in the north. His name was Nc
Colin--Colin McColin of Seigel's Brae.
Then he bean talking about the storms
we had experienced lately. The fishing
people of his district had suffered Sc
vcrcly. Their boats had gone out and
no, returned. and the families were
destitute. When he grew more contid-
ing. he told us that as a matter of fact
he was just returning from business in
connection with these accidents. for
which he had been organizing subscrip-
tons. Immediately afterward he seem
ed very sorry that he had let the secret
ont.
Della had tcars in her eyes. and |
blew my nose. Della kept on nudcing
my arm. could noe understand why
al first. but presently ! did.
IF YOU would permit me- said | DE
liza was nudging my arm all the time,.
",O offerif you would accept a trfe
from MS toward helping
My dear sir" interrupted Colin Nc
Colin. Il could not possibly allow yon>
to do such thing"
But the poor people must be so un-'
happy" said Della. And we would be
only too glad
II am delighted to meet with such
sympathy said the old gentleman,
but it is really quite impossible
He began to talk of something else
But Della asked him again. and in the
end he said he had never been able to
refuse a lady. That is just what think
about Della. SO in the end we wrote
cur names on a piece of paper, and he
accepted something for the fishermen
And just as lie thanked us and put the
slip of paper back into his pocket the
train drew up for its first wait
I'VE stop here ten minutes.' said the
old gentleman Della said that she
would like a cup Of coffee She glanced
up III the bag on the rack rs she left
the carriage.
ooh. I'll look after your luggage"
said Colin McCoiin. Il >han't get out.
THANK You so much" said Della
very sweet!y.
The buffet was AT the other end OF
the platform. The coffee was no1 nice,
ana /, was very hot but il is not wise
to drink ont o. the saucer under the
whitening eyes Of a railway refresh
ment maid.
"Resides.N said Della, reading my
Thoughts. besides there's heaps of
time"
You say So retor1ed.
'And again.' said bella. drinking
coffee is an art.
Losing trains is also an art OBJ
served.
liza. Didn't Mr.-Mr. Mae What was
it. JAck:'
DO hurry up said to Della rather
irritahly, "or leave your coffee. We
shall certainly miss the train"
I'm not going TO be wasteful." said
Della. She .rasped The handle Of the
cup couraseously she WAS lifting il
to her lips when a shout startled me.
and | sprang through the swing doors
lust in time 10 see our end of the train
moving rapidly by me. The old gentle
man was leaning out of the window
and waving his arms. lie shouted AS
bn saw me standing nj the doors
I'm put your bag down at the next
station he cried. The next station
he shouted from the distance.
Della came leisurely on to the plat
form.
What horrid coffee that was" said
she and waved her handkerchief in
farewell to McC0lin, still leaning out
Of the carriage window. How very
fortunate that he should he there 10
look after the hag-my Jewels and all
she fnishe, in kind of gasp.
VERY lucky | said.
But somehow | began TO feel du-
hious
There were thirty five minutes before
the next train stopped At the station
and We could continue our journey NJ
the next station | inquired after the
bag. bur the officials NJ the cloakrcom
| Of n oh