The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-12-12
SAVED BY SYMPATHY.

Like So many OF our youths, start
ed to college with but few dollars in
my pocket, determined to work my
way through. After a month had
gone by, in which 1 had not succeed
ed in getting any work, my money
was gone, and my hope was we'll nigh
bankrupt. But before giving up COM
pletely, made one more attempt to
find something to do. I had been at
dozen back doors where piles of cord
wood promised task, only to find
that some early rising Chinaman had
secured the contract for saving, split
ting and housing the winters fuel.
With sad heart could see nothing
ahead but the necessity of going back
to my native hills. There was surely
no college education for me, or it must
be postponed unreasonably.
On the very verge of despair tried
again. 1t was home of wealth where
l applied, and l was met at the door
by fine looking young lady who
seemed very much surprised to see
this stranger applying for China
mans job. She asked my name and
inquired why I was doing this. When
explained that was trying to sup
port myself in the university, she
said: Come again, and will speak
to father about it, and I think he will
give you the work" Her plea Sc
cured it for me, with the added priv
ilege of doing it piecemeal as I was
able without interfering with my
studies, only so l kept their fires
going.
With satisfaction somewhat alloy
ed l went to work, for there was a
ranking in my proud heart, feeling
or a suspicion that this way of going
through college interfered with my
social standing among my fellow stu
dents. One Saturday, while other
freshmen were enjoying game of
baseball, 1 was breaking my back over
pile of oak knots. But a knottier
problem was running through my
mind. l stopped to get breath, and
with deep and bitter thoughts con-
cerning the hardships of my position,
l stood resting and thinking. My
meditations were broken by the COM
ing of the bright young woman of the
house. She leaned over the fence and
talked with me. Her queenly man.
ner allayed my bashfulness, as she
found out all she could about me and
my ambitions. Then she told nue. she
was graduate of the university, that
she had the books of her course, and
would be glad to lend me any want
ed she invited me to make myself at
home at their house, and offered to
help me in any of my studies If I wish
ed it.
Such kindly interest in a perfect
stranger, such sympathy on the part
of young woman of education and
wealth for a raw freshman in poor
garments, was like the opening Of
new world of vision to me. Hope
lived again, my courage came back,
and my poor pride was rebuked as l
saw what was true worth in gentle
man or lady, and my self-respect was
created anew. AS l remember my
feeling, must have grown foot in
that FIVE minutes. No self.deprecia-
ton, depression or despair could exist
in the presence of such kindliness and
sympathy. That queenly girl had
conferred a knighthood and did not
know it.
After that, what did l care though
my clothes were plain? What matter
though my social standing should be
discounted because | "kept bach, >
and wore the same threadbare suit
weekdays and Sundays! Suppose |
didn't have time for the athletic field !
In yonder rich mans house l had
welcome, and there lived friend OF
mine. who had passed with honor the
whole college course. That generous
sympathy, that friendly hand reached
to stranger, had famed the fires of
expiring ambitions, and they famed
again. Unconsciously to herself her
influence changed the current of a
life.-UncIe Tim, in EpwOr1h Herald.