The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-02-01
BEING COURTEOUS.

EVcIyOuc loves mautys COultCouS
boy. As rule they are sure to make
good, IT not great men. In the CzzfT
d,en's Vlyit0r we read that several
passengers, on hot day In June, en-
tered the train on the Columbia &
Augusta Railroad. Among them
were several young college boys, who
were on the way home for their sum-
mer vacation. They were stylish,
we'll dressed lads, and were as gay
and happy as boys usually are who
have put books aside.
A party of merry girls already oc-
cupied the car, and in little time
the train seemed flooded with youth
and sunshine. A very lean woman,
with an ample lunch basket, divided
her time between eating chicken and
boiled eggs, and tanning vigorously
with turkey-tailed fan, while a
stout man in the corner mopped his
face with a red bandana, by way of
emphasis, ''Hot, very hot !''
The girls and boys took in every
incident, laughing and tittering all
the while. Just across the aisle, op-
posite the boys, sat woman holding
baby. A pale, tired, despairing look
was on her face, and her eyes were
full Of suffering. The little one was
fretful and cried piteously, but the
young mother was too exhausted to
try to quiet the baby.
"Oh, just listen to that young one !
l think crying babies ought to be put
out Of the car, one Of the girls said,
pertly.
eyes, my head begins to ache, !"
said another, while the boys laughed !;
and the louder the child cried the
more merriment it caused among the
young people while the lean woman
and the fat man scowled and COM
planned.
I do not see any cause for ridi-
cule, " said Fred Weston, as he arose !;
and, to the amazement OF all the pas
sengers, he crossed to where the wo-
man sat, and, with a courteous bow,
extended his arms. please let rue
hold your baby a while" he said !;
IT have little sister inst her age.
ana she loves me dearly. You look
so tired ma am"
The child opened wide her big
brown eyes and gazed into the hand
some, bright face of the boy. as with
out hesitation she sprang forward into
the outstretched arms. She ceased
crying, and her lips puckered into a
plaintive sob.
"Oh, how good you are! p the
mother said, with a sigh of relief.
"Thank you T. and she pressed her
eyes to keep back the tears of graft
tude. You are a brave boy" she
said, ito show such an act of kind
ness while your companions jeer and
ridicule. Thank you," she said again.
"Ah, she loves you dearly already -
and the once beautiful face of the wo-
man was bright for moment as she
saw her baby laugh with Joy.
Now" said Fred, "since you see
what good friends we are, suppose
you lie down and rest. I will take
care of the baby. Come, Iow, we
will see the brides fy." And with
his little charge held tenderly in his
arms, he took seat beside the win
dow, and soon had the baby's atten-
tion riveted on the passing, fitting
scenes as the train sped on its way.
The passengers looked on in sur
prise, and Fred's companions ceased
laughing and became quiet. The
effect of this kind, manly act was
electrical; it was a silent rebuke to
every person in the car. In a mo-
ment the ladies and thoughtless girls
each offered to assist Fred in caring
for the little one. "Cute little dar-
ling |" was the exclamation of the
girls and with motherly tenderness
all fondled and petted the child. But
she clung to Fred tenaciously, as if
resenting her long neglect and their
sudden overtures of devotion. The
lean woman put aside her turkey tail
fan and went deep into her lunch
basket for a drum stick" for the
baby. The stout man forgot it was
a very hot day and looked on with
interest. Calling Fred to him, he
chuckled the baby under the chin.
Pretty child she is. Now, say,
young man, why doesn't the mother
go into the sleeper, ! wonder! She
looks mighty uncomfortable over
there. She is fast asleep, with her
head on that hard leather satchel. I
hadn t noticed the poor woman before.
She looks more dead than alive"
Eyes, sir; she's very bad off, I
think" Fred answered, "and l Judge
she has not money enough to take a
sleeper. 1 have little change, and
1 thought I would just offer it to her.
From what she told me, sir, / think
she is very poor"
Indeed, indeed r. said the man,
going deep into his pocket. Nov,
my boy, you keep your money. Here,
Brown Eyes, you and your ma be
comfortable. +" So saying he pushed
a roll of bills into the chubby fist oi
the child.
Nov 1 want your name," Fred
Weston said.
Here's my card, Fred, and want
you to keep it, and if you ever want
situation, ever want assistance In
time of trouble, ever want recon-
mendation, just come to me. You
are a noble, manly little fellow
little gentleman. Your attention tc
that poor woman, and the courage
you have shown In helping her, are q
guarantee that you are sure to make
a great and good man." Here the
| train stopped and he arose. Good