Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1898 — UNSPOKEN SYMPATHY. [ARTICLE]

UNSPOKEN SYMPATHY.

Children Who Were Careful Net to Hurt an Uncle's Feeling. ’ He was a big, burly, good-natured conductor on a country railroad, and he had watched them with much interest as they got on the train. They were two handsome, round-faced, rosycheeked boys, and three sunny-haired, pretty little girls of various sizes and ages. A grave, kind-looking gentleman, evidently their guardian, got in with them, and the conductor's attention was soon caught by the fact that the apparently eager conversation was carried on by means of a deaf-and-dumb alphabet, the gentleman joining ih so pleasantly that the conductor beamed on him with approval. Naturally kind-hearted himself, it pleased him to see this trait in others. But his honest eyes were misty as he thought of his own noisy crowd of youngsters at home and contrasted them with this prim little company who smiled and gesticulated, but made no sound. It was plain they were off on a holiday jaunt, for they all had satchels and wore a festive, “go-away” air, and the conductor, whose fancy played about them continually, settled it in his mind that they belonged to some asylum, and were going with their teacher for a vacation trip. He couldn't help watching them, and nodding to them as he passed through the car. They returned his greeting in kind, being cheerful little souls, aad he began to look forward with regret to the time of parting. At length, at one of the rural stations, the gentleman kissed the young ones hurriedly all round and got off the train. They leaned out of the windows and waved enthusiastic farewells as the car moved on; then the biggest “little girl” took a brown-paper bag from her satchel and distributed crackers in even shares. The conductor, in passing, smiled and nodded as usual, as the little girl held out the paper bag to him. “Do have some,” she said. He started back in sheer amazement. “Why,” he exclaimed, “you can talk then—all of you?” “Of course!” they cried in chorus. The conductor sank into the seat across the aisle. “I thought you were deaf and dumb,” he gasped. . “Oh, how funny!” cried one of the rosy-cheeked boys. "Why, that was Uncle Jack, poor fellow! He was born that way. We wouldn't talk while he was with us; it might hurt his feelings, you know. Hello! here's our station. Come on, girls!” And the five trooped noisily out, and waved their handkerchiefs from the platform as the train moved on.—St. Nicholas.