The following incident is vouched for by a correspondent of the Christian Register:
A daughter of Massachusetts, living in New York, was riding in a crowded street-car. An intelligent young soldier, suffering from lameness, was standing. The lady kindly offered him her seat, which he as politely declined: whereupon a city dame, occupying the next place. gathered up her robes, and scornfully said she thought things had come to a pretty pass, when a New York lady offered her seat to a man, especially to a soldier. “Shame upon you, madam!” rejoined our humane friend: “have you no dear ones in the army?” “No.” was the reply; my husband should not go.” “Indeed!” was the patriotic answer; “I had rather be a soldier’s willow than a coward’s wife!” An outburst of applause greeted the speaker.
There was a happy finale to the incident. The lame soldier soon obtained they very next seat to the unfeeling woman who had so insulted him.
“Glory to the woman who shows such spirit!” adds the writer.
The Manchester Journal, Manchester, VT, September 29, 1863
