Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1880 — Retribution. [ARTICLE]

Retribution.

A quietly-dressed lady passed down the aisle of a crowded car, looking for a seat. Presently she came to one occupied by a finely-dressed young woman who sat directly in the middle of it, talking to a friend in the seat before her. The young lady looking for a seat said very politely, “Is this seat engaged?” The young woman, without offering to move along, or rise to let her pass, said, in a careless and exasperating tone, looking impudently in her face, “ No. Do you want to come in?” Offended by hey tone and manner, the lady blushed with displeasure and passed on. By this time a gentleman acquaintance had found her a seat, which she accepted. “ Did you hear how that woman answered me?” she said, indignantly. “ I could not have believed that one of my own sex would be so rude. And the best of it is I know her by name, and, if she had known who I am, she would- have been very polite to me. She is enamored of my cousin, and is doing her best to secure him as a husband. lam afraid she has made a mistake in not being civil.” Mark the sequel : The young lady during the day joined her cousin, and in the evening they were returning home on the train, when in came the other young woman, and, at once catching sight of the young gentleman as she entered the door, smiles wreathed lier countenance. He, not knowing what had happened, rose and saluted her cordially, and at once introduced her to bis companion. Why did Bhe turn pale, then red ? She simply saw what a fool she had been, and, if she failed to see the immeasurable depth of her folly, it was revealed to her when, afterward, tho favorite cousin of the man she wanted for a sweetheart said coolly to her, “I noticed you on the train this morning.” There was no longer any doubt that she had been recognized, and that her rudeness would be reported to the ears to which of all others she desired it njt to come. So, you see, if you are not polite from principle, it is well to be so from policy. Tho man or woman who is invariably civil and obliging need fear no awkward adventures like this one.