Year: 1862

A clergyman, giving In the Ladies depository
an account of some his experience in a trip
from his own comfortable parsonage" to New
York City, refreshes his readers with the fol-
lowing exhibition of practical Christianity
which comes under his observation


My journey to Boston was as monotonous
as possible, and the two hours detention there
was not particularly exhilirating. There was
no time to visit places of interest, and | felt
too misanthropic and gloomy for social inter
course, although other gentlemen were wait
ing like myself. More than once nearly de-
termined to 90 home in the return train, but
| was ashamed to do that after Mary's geDer-
Gus selfsacrifce. We were half way to
Stonington before began to rouse up and
look about me. was awakened by the cries
of a child, and l saw that the seat in front of
me was occupied by young woman, plainly,
but decently dressed, but with an expression
of anxiety upon her face that instantly at
tracted me. She had baby in her arms,
and another just big enough to walk, on the
seat by her. He was bright little fellow,
with great flashing black eyes, and thick coils
of chestnut curls clustering all over his head;
but he did not seem to be WELL and fretted
continually for the soothing attention that he
saw bestowed upon the more helpless babe in
his mothers arms There were several bun
dies and a carpet-bag piled one above another
on the seat next to the window, and the little
boy, in his restlessness, often displaced them,
and they came rolling down upon the floor.
1 would like to see the men who would not
have succumbed and hauled down his flag be-
fore such complication OF miseries.


The young mother bore up bravely. While
hushing the baby and lulling it with sweet
lullaby to temporary quiet, she contrived also
to coax the little boys curly head to pillow
on her knee, and thus doubly burdened, found
means to divert his attention with cheap
picture book.


But the weather outside grew dark and un-
pleasant Thick clouds were closely gather
ing their forces, and the wall of the wind was
often heard above the noise of the engine.
The anxious expression of the mothers face
deepened As she watched the ominous signs
that foretold stormy night upon the Sound.
There was quick, tremulous motion of her
lip at times, as if she were representing the
inclination TO have hearty cry" over her
troubles.


had Just thought of what should have oc-
CURED to me long time before, that il was
possible for me to relieve her of part of her
burden, and was trying to drive myself out of
my selfish isolation by calling up all the good
Samaritan thoughts that had ever used IN
my sermons on practical beneyolence, when
an accession of passengers at a way station
obliged me to resign my seat to lady, who
actually thanked me for the civilty.


Left again TO myself, leaning against the
door OF the car, resumed the thread of con-
temptation that had of late become habitual,
and was soon lost in the old weary labyrinth
OF coniectures in regard to the state of my
parish. its spiritual deadness. and the meas
ures to be used to awaken anv interest in re-
hgious things. grew more and more sad
and desponding "a | meditated and my cogi-
tations were as fruitless as ever. | did not
again think of the babies and their mother till
we were about leaving the ears at Stonington
Happening then TO glance down the car be-
fore getting out. saw her looking about hei
in evident perplexity. The heavy rain wa
already pouring down. and the darkness cut
side was not very attractive, even TO unlncum-
bered travellers.


| am ashamed 10 own that / did not offer
my assistance. Mary saws she never will be,
lieve it-that it is impossible for human nature
TO be so boorish, but all the humiliating truth
must be told. Nv own wretchedness and my
sense of utter uselessness in my profession
made me almost Indifferent for the time tC
chains of humanity. Still / was sensible of
feeling of surprise, which gradually became
indignation as l saw one lady after another
unconcerned pass by, and other gentlemen a
heartless as myself, ignoring her silent appea
TO our sympathy. The car was emptied a
last, though still stood in the door, hoping tt
see another do the Christian duty that wa
50 reluctan, to perform | could not leave
her TO her fate as the rest had done.


Just then some one entered the door at th,
other end. and saw the young woman lool
eagerly round. She had again failed to ar
range babies and bundles for transportation Il
the boat. The new conner was a stout look