Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1893 — Polite. [ARTICLE]

Polite.

For a town to be mentioned particularly on account of the civility of its inhabitants is no small honor. Philip Gilbert Hamerton thus distinguishes the village of St. Jean de Losne, in his book, “The Saone.” When it rained they invited him into their houses, an attention which he contrasted favorably with the rudeness of the people in a northern city. I went into a case and found myself unable to pay for what I had taken, so 1 explained my case to the lady. I owed five sous, and possessed but four. Having paid all but the last sou, I was leaving when by accident I discovered just one sou in another pocket, which enabled me to clear myself of debt Then the lady said: “This is a disappointment for me, monsieur, for so long as you were my debtor I was sure to see you again, whereas now I am no longer sure. ” A trifle, but pretty in the thought and extremely neat in the expression. Another trifling incident pleased me. I was drawing the Saone with a steam-tug in the foreground, and the tug was ready to start with its train of boats. The captain, however, saw me at work, and came ashore to say he would postpone his departure a little if my sketch was not yet finished.