The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-04-02
WITH THE TRAVELLERS
DOING IT TO ZONE
OF The LEAST"
TRAVELLING MAN MADE HIS OWN
HEART LIGHT AND THAT OF A
LITTLE GIRL STILL LIGHTER
WHEN He GAVE WAY TO
PRoMPTlNcs or HIS HEART.

It was chilly, windy day in early
November. Pedestrians walked brisk
ly, avoiding the wind where possible.
and buttoned their coats more close
" about them, says A. w. Darby in
The Sample Case. A small crowd had
assembled at the depot, for it was
nearing train-t time, and train time once
each day in Il was an event
worthy OF consideration. And it was
as habitual to go see the train come
in as to go TO dinner, with a good part
of tine population. Two or three FAM
lilies were moving to Texas, and while
the men hustled about indentifying and
checking rope strapped boxes, nonde-
script trunks and dog-coops, their
wives were huddled around the wait
ing-room stove exchanging snuff and
feeding the bevy of various aged chill
dren's from their weeks supply lunch
baskets. A couple of pretty girls going
for a week end visit were buying tick
cts at the window, while behind them
impatiently awaiting his turn stood a.
peddler. Outside, on the sunny side
of the platform. shielded from the
wind, sat a. lonely commercial traveller,
using his upturned grip for seat,
while here and there were groups of
the regulation hack drivers, hotel port
ers and curious loafers gliding and
lounging.
Threading In and out among the
crowd came thinly- clad little girl
of about 8 years. On her arm she car
ried a basket of peanuts which she was
offering for sale to the crowd, but no
one seemed to buy very readily. She
was rudely jostled around until she
caught sight f the travelling man sit
ting apart from the crowd and as she
ran down to where he was she said
with a confident smile, mister, / just
know you'll buy some peanuts, won't
you?" Eyes, little girl he said, "but
why did you come out I'm this cold
without your shoes? Arn't you afraid
you'll be sick?' Maybe So" replied
the child, "but I have no shoes. You
see my papa is blind and hasn't any
money to buy me shoes with yet. He
roasts the peanuts and stay with him
and sell them. He says maybe by
Christmas he can get me some shoes.
Don't you want two bags of peanuts,
Mister?"
For moment the travelling man said
nothing as his eye took in the thin
little figure, noting first the eager ex-
pectant face and then the bare, blue
little feet.
Then he Strengthened up, looked at
his watch and said, cit is ten minutes
yet to train time. Come with me, lit
tie girl" and together they went across
the square to a general store. The
merchant came up and the travelling
man told him to fit the little girl UP
with good warm stockings and shoes,
and give him the blu. This was quick
| Iy done and as the salesman handed
over the money the merchant said,
Friend. you are surely very thoughtful
and generous but can you afford to
give away so much"
"Do you see that smile?" said the
| travelling man, as he looked into the
beaming face Of the little girl "That
is my reward, and ii is certainly worth
the price"
The train pulled into the station and
as he swung aboard 1T was happy lit
| tie girl that waived him goodbye and
ran to tell her father of her good
fortune. With his heart pulsing light
and free the traveller took his seat as
the train pulled out and the crowd
wondered why he smiled.
This is a true story and this man
was a u. G. r. He wore the button
on his coat and its teachings in his
big generous heart, Charity--a little
| thing, and yet we have read that in
s-much as We have done it unto one
| of the least of these my brethren We
have done it unto nae.