Year: 1868

J


" Yes, sir, in one moment and
Mrs. Herbert sought in her pocket
for her portmonie, in which she had
deposited the article in question:
But it had mysteriously disappeared,
and the lady arose hastily, and gave q
rapid, searching glance under and
about her seat.


90, sir l have lost my ticket, and
not only that, but my money and
check for my baggage"


| The conductor was a young man
who had been but few weeks upon
the road in his. present capacity,
and felt himself greatly elevated in his
new position. He prided himself in
his ability to detect any person IN an
attempt TO avoid paying the regular
fare, and had earnestly wished that an
opportunity might offer which would
enable him to prove his superior pow
ers of penetration, and the ease with
which he could detect position
| Here, then, was a case Just suited to
his mind ; and he watched Mrs. Her
bert with cold scrutinizing, suspi-
cious eye, while she was searching so
eagerly for the missing ticket. With
still extented hand he said. q
must have your fare, ma'am


" But, sir, [ have no money can
not pay you.


"How far do you wish to co." he
asked.


% I am on my way to Boston, where
| reside. | have been visiting rel
atives in Wisconsin"


+" Well, you can go no further on
this train unless you can pay for your
| fare"


a bright thought occurred to Mrs,
Herbert. " | will place my watch in
your keeping, she said. "W hen Ireach
Detroit l will pawn it for money to
pursue my journey. Ny husband Will
send for and redeem it.


d" That will do" said the conductor.
viii take your watch and give you
a check for Detroit. [ have no au,
thority to do so from the railroad
| company, but may upon my own re-
! sponsibility."


But Mrs. Herbert's embarrassment
was not to be relieved so readily as
she hoped. Searching for her watch,
that was also not to be found.


Oh, what shall | do?" she said,
her face growing very pale. my
watch is gone, too! [ must have been
robbed in Chicago"


" You can leave the train at the
next station, he said quickly and de-
cidedly; " that's what you can do"


The whistle sounded for " down
brakes" and the conductor stepped
out on the platform of the car. Mrs.
Herbert looked around her. There
were few passengers in the car, some
were reading, and some looking at
the town they were just entering.-
No one seemed to have heard the
the conversation between the conduc-
tor and herself, or at least TO have be-
come interested in her behalf.
The train stopped; the conductor
appeared, and, taking the shawl and
| travelling basket from the rack above
her head bade her follow him. In ten
minutes more the train had gone, and
| Mrs. Herbert sat alone in the l.. de-
pot, trying to decide upon the best
course to pursue. She had no money
to defray her expenses at a hotel
she had nothing with which to pay
hackman for taking her to one, but
after few minutes reflection, she re-
solved to inquire for the residence of
| the clergyman Of that church of which
she was herself member, and ask
him in the name of Christian charity,
and kindness, to give her home I'M
| til she could send telegram to her
husband and he could furnish her with
means 10 pursue her journey.
lnquiring of the check agent the
name Of the clergyman she hoped to
find, and being politely directed to his
house, she was soon at his door and
rang the bell. He answered the sum
mons IN person, and in few hurried
sentences she made known her mis-
fortune and her request.


The Rev. Mr.. Ripley wa. thin, tall
and straight. He was apparently
about forty five years of age polish
ed but pompous no particle of dust
could have been found upon mis- fine,
black broadcloth, or nicely polished
boots; the tie in his cravat was fault
less his hair was brushed carefully
forward to conceal coming badness.
Very dignifed, very important, very
ministerial, appeared the reverend
gentleman; but as Mrs. Herbert look
ed into his cold grey eyes, she felt
that benevolence was by no means as
strong an element in his composition
as selfshness Her heart seemed to
. chill IN his presence she could not
help contrasting him, mentally, with
the good Mr.. Weston who was pastor
of her own church at home. All, not
often had the hand now thrust into
the bosom of the tight buttoned dress
coat been prompted by the cold heart
beneath it to place bright coin upon
the palm of beggared childhood not
often had his footsteps found their
way TO poverty's door Yet this I'M
worthy representative Of the Chris
tian church preached charity to his
rich congregation. at least twice every
Sabbath, and so for as he himself was
concerned made preaching supply the
place Of practice


Madam" he said, after eyeing her
/ from head to foot, you have pret-