Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-16
Winner of SIS Prize
A DAY COACH SAMARITAN
By Horace Lytton Varian

Id the Standard Drill Company of New Jersey, came
trudgng into car Of train Fortytwo pulling out of
Knoxville his fists full of grips, and dropped into seat
partly occupied by young girl. The latter was only
fairly well dressed, and OF charming, innocent
type. Jenkins spoke courteousy to her. he asked
permission to share the seat; but did not attempt to
force the conversation further He dug down into his
sample case got out his order and report books and
started to make up statement of his day business,
which had been a heavy
Subconscously noting the utter loneliness of the girl
beside him. and the fact that she had nothing to divert
her, he looked up after Bit and offered her magazine
of his bag. The girl thanked him in a quiet, shy
manner and for awhile glanced at the pictures list
less way, which Jenkins noted he kept at his figuring
Then he noted that the magazine dropped UNDECIDED
into the girls lap and there to his that
mistakable, disturbing sound of a girls sniffe. Look
ing coverty up Jenkins noted big tear coursing down
the girls pretty check.
He dropped his forms and asked quietly, Sick"
The girl shook her head without turning toward him.
Il don't want to butt in, Tom continued, "but is it
anything can help in?"
This time the girl spoke tearfuly. Il reckon
body can help me but myself-reckon nobody would
want to help me-I-I-oh-oh-" and the tears
started flowing more copouSly.
Feeling the glances of the other passengers upon
them, and the amused grins OF "the boys the
aisle Jenkins flushed up: but he stuck to it manfly.
ooh, pshaw!" he replied in his big, hearty voice.
"Now, by that know you be helped by somebody.
Little lady, what's up? Lonesome Homesick: LOST
Running away to get married!
At the last question the girl gave little start and
looked around at him fearfully, giving Jenkins the
first full view OF sweet pretty grlface typical of the
mountain towns of Eastern Tennessee.
How'd you guess she asked quickly.
Guess what" srningy asked Jenkins.
About running away to get married, the girl re-
Piled
is that the troubeo" asked Jenkins. But that
shouldn't be considered trouble in the game
and he smiled at his bachelor-lke joke.
Then bit by bit he got the story As it out the
smile disappeared and the twinklng eyes looked hard
and stern. The girls Marcy Cecil. her home
down Sweetwater way, and her tale the only too
frequent of death Of Mother the subsequent hard
hearted sepmother, the bitter. pickering home life with
Of employment in the local rnner shop, the loneliness.
and the accompanying heart hunger for love of
sort, from somebody
Then she told haltingly now of the advent into her
world of the fasllydressed drummer of glib tongue
and protestaos of sincerity; then the proposal that
she slip away and meet him at Morristown, and her
unsophsticated assent.
At this point Jenkins head came up with Jerk, and
a set look appeared on his face did this fellow say
ANYTHING about marrying you2" he asked.
"Whv-whv do YOU mean" stamnered the
GIRL blt,sfing furiouslv.
lust what said, )" replied Jenkins steadily. "Where
are you going to live: Who is this man. Do you know
him very well? What are his plans for you'"
At Jenkins pointed questions the girls face took
frightened look. "Why-why-I suppose he's going