Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-09-16
From the American Presbyterian.
A THRILLING INCIDENT.

"A 1n1AAAAAAS0 AANOAD6AtAs
One beautiful summers afternoon, !,
ia company With my wife and child--a
little praitling fellow Of six summers
started out for a walk. A little dog thar
was very much attached to the child,
persisted in following Us. Twice had
driven him back the last time, as
thought, efFectually. The afternoon was
very line, and as | slowly followed the
serpen,-like windings Of The railroad,
conversation very naturally turned 10
the scenes and little incidents of our
walk :--ihe gaily-plumed songs,ers, tue
chaitering squirrel, aud the humming
bee, all cons2ired to bake our attention.
Becoming wearied, at length we sat
ourselves down on a grassy knoll by the
side of a railroad, about two hundred
yards below where a sharp angle occurs
hiding il from view. Our little boy was
higher up on the bank, busily plucking
the blue bells and dandehons. that grew
in profusion around, and We soon lost
sight of him altogether.
My wife was engaged in perusing
copy of Bakers Saints Rest while /
had cast myself OF the grass beside her,
enwrapt in the beauty Of the landscapes
spread to view. There field of tassel-
ling corn gently waved TO and fro, while
here fed OF sweet scented clover shed
its grateful fragrance on the air. Twas
like some enchanted bower-the silence
broken only by the linking Of Sleeps
bells, or the lowing of kline, as they
peacefully grazed on the distant past
ure. was thinking Of the infinite wis
! dom and goodness of the great Creator.
in thus making earth so beautiful for
poor sinful man, and how thousands are
swept away from its charms forever
and forgotten, when vas aroused from
my reyerie by the shrill whistle Of the
approaching train. Instinctively turn
ed to look for little Harry, when quick
exclamation from my wife caused me to
n turn.
She was pale as death. William,
look at our child she family whispered.
| did so; and, my God who can tell
!, the agony that wrung my heart at that
= instant The little recreant had wand
!, cred up the track unbeeded and had sat
-, himself down on one OF the oaken Sleep
ers to Gull his flowers, just below the
curve, unconscious Of the death that how
cred near him.
started Up the track towards him,
beckoning him to come TO me as ad-
vanced. Instead Of doing so, be, ap-
:. pretending some playful sport, common
) eed running directly up the track, and
laughing gleefUily as he went. The
smoke from the advancing engine was at
this instant distinctly visible it was not
possible that could overtake him in time
TO save him from that cruel death. As
it was, was but hurrying him on to his
doom. No. II was evident my efforts
could be of no avail. breathed pray
er to Him on high, aud staggered back.
AT this moment the sharp bark Of a
:" dog broke upon my ear. With one gIee-
ful bound our boy cleared the track and
:" grasped the little woody intruder in hi,
arms
The train rushed round the curve
= with whizzing sound. The iron mon
:" s,er was cheated Of his prey. am at
~ old man, but l must confess that as
once more held our little lruani 10 N,
'u arms, safe, the tear Of gratitude starte,
Ct to my eye. The little dog had persey
eringly followed the child unseen, to b
the means Of saving his life. Blind
blind indeed, is be who would no, see th'
finger Of God in this.