The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-06-06
A MANLY BOY.

1t was crowded railway station
and a raw December day. Every few
minutes the street cars emptied theil
loads at the door, and gusts of COLI
wind came in with the crowd Al
hurried as they entered. All were lad
en- with bags, basket, box or bundle
Every five minutes a stream of PEG
pie flowed throug the door, near which
a young man stood and yelled: Rapid
Transit for East New York."
The gate was kept open but a mo.
ment, and closed again when enough
persons had passed through to fill the
two cars upon each train. Those so
unfortunate as to be farthest from the
door must wait until next time. Among
those unfortunate ones was an old
Swedish woman, in the heavy shoes
and short frock of her native North
land. She had heavy bundles, and,
though she had a place near the door.
so many pushed against her, she
could not get out. Her burden was
too heavy for her to hold as she stood
and when the rush came and she
seized one package from the floor by
her side, she dropped the other, and,
in trying to get it, some one crowded
and pushed her aside. The bundle
was in the way; an impatient foot
kicked it beyond her reach, and before
she could recover it again the door
was shut. The kind old face looked
pitifully troubled.
Suddenly, as she bowed her old gray
head to lift the abused bundle from
the floor, a bright, boyish face came
between her and her treasure, and
pair of strong young hands lifted it to
her arms. Surprise and delight strug-
gled in the old wrinkled countenance,
and loud laugh came from two boys
whose faces we're pressed against the
window outside the gate. See there,
Harry; see, Fred; that's what he
dashed back for!"
mo; you don't say so. 1 thought he
went for peanuts"
mo, not for peanuts nor popcorn,
but to pick up an old womans bundle.
Isn't he a goose?"
Eyes; what business has she to be
right in the way with her budgets? 1
gave it good kick
Here comes the train. Shall we
wait for him, Harry?" And they pound
ed the window, and motioned for Fred
to come out.
But he shook his head and nodded
toward the little old woman at his
side. He had her bundles, and her face
had lost its anxious look and was
placid as the round face of holiday
Dutch doll.
Come along, Fred; come along.
You'll be left again"
Never mind, boys; off with you.
I'm going to see her through"
And they went. And Harry repeated
to Dick, as they seated themselves in
the tarin, Isn't he a goose?"
. NO." was the indignant answer;
hes a man, and 1 know another fell
low who's a goose, and that's 1; and
Fred makes me ashamed of myself"
Pooh! you didn't mean anything;
you only gave it push"
81 know it, but 1 feel as mean as If
Fred caught me picking her pocket"
The train whirled away. The next
one came. Rapid Transit for East
New York; all aboard" shouted the
man at the door.
The gate was open. There was an
other rush. In the crowd was an old
Swedish woman; by her side was Fred
Monroe. He carried the heavy burden.
He put his 1.-THE young figure between
her and the press. With the same air
he would have shown to his mother,
he saw her through" And when the
gate shut, 1 turned to my book with
grateful warmth at my heart that,
amid much that is rude, chivalry still
lives as the browning charm of
manly boy.-Silver Cross.