The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-09-10
Thrilling Incident.

One beautiful summers afternoon l. in
company with my wife and child-a little
prattling fellow Of six summers-sta started
out for walk. A little dog that was
very much attached to the child, persisted
in following us. Twice had driven him
back; the last time, as | thought, efec-
tually. The afternoon was very fine, and
as slowly followed the serpent-like wind
ings of the railroad, conversation very
naturally turned to the scenes and little
incidents of our walk The gayly plumed
songsters, the chattering squirrel, and the
humming bee, all conspired to take our
attention. ...,9 ....-.
Becoming wearied, at length we sat
ourselves down on a grassy knoll by the
side OF the railroad, about two hundred
yards below where sharp angle occurs,
hiding it from view Our little boy was
higher up on the bank, busily plucking
the blue-bells and dandeliOns, that grew
in profusion around, and we soon lost
sight of him altogether.
My wife was engaged in perusing a
copy Of "Baxter's Saints Rest" while |
had cast myself on the grass beside her,
enwrapped in the beauty of the landscape
spread to view. There field of tasseling
lorn gently waved to and fro, while here
and there a field of sweet-scented
clover shed its grateful fragrance on the
air Twas like some enchanted bower
the silence broken only by the tinklng of
Sleeps bells, or the lowing of kline, as
they peacefully grazed thedistant pasture.
was thinking of the infinite wisdom 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 / was aroused from my reverie by
the shrill whistle of the approaching
train instinctively turned to look for
little Harry, when quick exclamation
from my wife caused me to turn.
She was pale as death. civilian, look
at our child, she family whispered. l
did So and my God who can tell the
agony that wrung my heart at that Instant
The little recreant had wandered up the
track unheeded, and sat himself down on
one Of the oaken sleepers to Gull his
flowers. just below the curve, unconscious
Of the death that lowered near him.
" started up the track toward him,
beckoning him to come to me as | ad-
vanced. Instead of doing so, he appre-
hended some playful sport, commenced
running directly on the track, and laugh
ing gleefully as he went The smoke
from the advancing engine was at this
instant distinctiyely visible; it was not
possible that | could overtake him in
time to save nim from that cruel death.
AS it was, l was but hurrying him on to
his doom. No, it was evident my efforts
could be of no avail. breathed a prayer
to Him on high, and staggered back.
at this moment the sharp bark of dog
broke upon my ear. With one gleeful
bound our boy cleared the track and
grasped the little woolly intruder in his
arms.
The train rushed round the curve with
whizzing sound The iron monster
was cheated of his prey. I am an old
man, but | must confess that as / once
more held our little truant in my arms,
safe, the tear Of gratitude started to my
eye The little dog had perseveringly fol.
lowed the child unseen, to be the means
Of saving his life. Blind, blind, indeed
is he who could not see the finger of God
In this American Presbyterian.