nt a gentleman rushed into the
station, jumped into the first available carriage, that in which she was
seated, and had just time to close the door when the train started.
Bessie was a little disturbed by this incident. As her companion did not
address her, she knew him to be a stranger. She soon found that he was
reading a newspaper, and as it was an express train she remembered that
she must have his company as far as London. Her companion was not aware
that the train was express, and when it dashed through the station at
which he had hoped to stop, he----

At this point, when she recounted the adventure, Bessie paused:

"What did he do?" was asked.

In an awe-struck voice she answered, "He swore----an _oath_."

The look of startled pain with which she must have heard that oath
passed over her face, and the sensitive mouth quivered. She knew nothing
about an oath; she had been told that sometimes there was bad language
in a book or in a newspaper, but no one had ever said an oath to her, or
read an oath. And now in the solitude of this railway carriage she was
shut up with a man,--swearing.

"What did _you_ do?" was asked.

"I held on tight to the arms of the seat. I was so frightened. I did not
know what he might do next."

"What _did_ he do?"

"He was very quiet; it seemed a long time; then he said 'I beg your
pardon;' and after that he did not speak again, and he jumped out as
soon as we reached London."

She referred to this as one of the most painful adventures of her life,
and said she passed through an agony of apprehension and suspense until
the train arrived at the terminus.

This journey took from her all desire to travel alone, and she made no
further experiment in that direction.

The success of her efforts on behalf of the blind began now to be spread
abroad, and institutions in many parts of England were disposed to
consider the possibility of not only teaching but permanently employing
the blind. Many inquiries were made of her, and she gave cordial
encouragement to all who asked her advice. Levy was often sent to teach
a trade, and to give information as to the best manner of carrying it
on.

One letter from him may be given as a sample of many, and of the fresh
interests that were being opened out:

127 EUSTON ROAD, N.W., _26th October 1857_.

DEAR MADAM--On Monday the 19th inst. I left home for Bath, where I
continued till the following Thursd