Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1898 — Gentle Courtesy. [ARTICLE]

Gentle Courtesy.

Lady Camilla Gurdon, in her memDries of Suffolk, tells a true story of a society woman who was sweet-natured ind generous enough to give the poor »f her very best. She used to visit the 'arge, dreary workhouse in the manufacturing town near her country , home. For this, she dressed herself carefully in her best clothes, and wore all her brightest jewels. “For,” said Gertrude, jimply, “poor people care much more to see one in one’s best things than rich people do. I wonder why everybody generally puts on common, dull old clothes to visit cottages!” One night we went together to a parly, my pretty Gertrude dressed in every color of the rainbow, with diamonds iparkllng on her wavy hair and shining nbout her soft, round throat. As we blighted from our carriage, the Prince and Princess of Wales happened to arrive, and we stood aside on the steps to let them pass. As usual, there was a crowd of people |rsiting to? enter the fconee, 4 poor

woman, Just behind us, was vainly endeavoring to lift her child, a little cripple, so that he might see the Princess; but each time she pressed forward a policeman pushed her back. The child broke into a wail: “Ob, I can’t see her! I can’t see her! You promised I should see her, mammy!” Gertrude turned quickly. “Give me your little boy,” she said, and she took the astonished child in her arms. “I will hold him up. He can have a much better view here.” With a queenly gesture, she waved aside the bewildered policeman. The little cripple put his tiny, wasted arms trustfully about her neck, and leaned eagerly forward to’ see all that was to be seen; and when the sight was over, and Gertrude gently disentangled herself from his poor little hands, to give him back to his mother, the child pOt his pale lips her rosy cheek and kissed her.“Pretty lady! pretty lady!” he said, admiringly. His mother broke into a torrent of thanks and apologies, while gathering up her brilliant train, passed Into the house.