Show how she tried 1 conceal the broniken Bri niken soa 1 I am reminded of an incident which I 1 witnessed a few daya ago on an outgoing train says a writer in the indianapolis news A plainly dressed olwe woman and a tali awkward young man evidently her son had been in the city and were going home there was au uncertainty in the boy s step as he came into the cars which indicated that he was intoxicated they sat down together and he at once began to talk in a loud voice his words were draveling driveling dri nonsense without a tinge of humor his mother however seemed strangely insensible to her sons disgrace ashe langhei freely at the incoherent remarks and replied to them though in so low a tone that her words were inaudible to the passengers people exchanged surprised glances and began to talk of the unusual scone some thought the mother indifferent to her sons condition and therefore little better than he herself others were more charitable and did not believe she realized his condition As I 1 listened it seemed to me the comans womans tones were not natural there was something that sounded strained and affected in her laugh her old bonnet was drawn down so that her face was entirely bidden and I 1 observed that she kept it so carefully then I 1 began watching her closely for I 1 wanted to see her features I 1 felt that a glance at them would assure me whether her cheerfulness was real or feigned the train hurried along and I 1 began to think my watchfulness was to go the young man rambled foolishly on with his talk and his mother continued to laugh at his pointless wit then the en gine whistled and the couple prepared to get of I 1 loaned forward and saw the woman fumble about searching for a package the hand she put out trembled like an aspen AB she rose from the seat she turned her head and I 1 caught a glimpse of her face her eyes were dimmed with tears and her furrowed cheeks were wet the expression of her countenance was so sad that it rises up before me day and night the poor woman in her pride bad preferred to appear unconscious of her sons disgrace hoping the strangers it not comprehend |