Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1902 — KINDLY ACT APPRECIATED. [ARTICLE]

KINDLY ACT APPRECIATED.

Courtesy Shown a Poor Blind Colored Man in a Street Car. People are so busy nowadays they have often not time to be polite, and a considerate act at once attracts attention. There was such an occur rence a few days ago in the Fourth avenue car. Among the passengers was a blind negro. His clothes were the veriest rags and were held to his emaciated frame with pieces of wire and bits of string. A broom handle served as a cane. Over one shoulder was suspended a gunny sack, giving him the appearance of a cotton picker. He continually picked at one band with the fingers of the other, as though he were playing the banjo, humming softly to himself the wthile and patting his foot. As his face was wreathed In smiles—not a grin—all eyes were turned in his direction. Many of the passengers looked at him regretfully when the car reached Stanton street and he arose and made his way toward the door. The hour was a busy one on the Bowery. People wondered whether the old man would reach the sidewalk in safety. A young man standing on the rear platform did more than wonder, however, for he alighted and guided the negro safely to the sidewalk. He then as rapidly as possible ran after the car, which was disappearing down the street Several of the passengers who had noticed the Incident called on the conductor to stop the car, but as he did not do so one of them rang the boll violently, and the motorman reversed the lever and brought the car to a sudden stop. As the young man climbed on the platform, eays the New York Times, many smiles of approbation were cast in his direction. But he seemed to be almost ashamed of what he bad done, and he pulled his hat down over his eyes and continued his ride In silence.