Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-09-22
A Thrilling Incident.

| One beautiful summers afternoon, ], in
company with my wife and child--a little
prattling fellow of six summcrs-st started out
for walk. A little dog that was much at
tached to the child, persisted in following us.
Twice had | driven him back, the last
time, as | thought, effectualy. The after
noon was very fine, and as followed the SER
pent-like windings of the railroad, CONVERSE
ton very naturally turned to the scenes and
little incidents Of our walk:-thc gay-plumed
'songsters, the chattering squirrel, and the hum
ming bee, all conspired to take our attention.
Becoming wearied, at length, we sat our
selves down on grassy knoll by the side OF
railroad, about two hundred yards below
where sharp angle occurs hiding it from
view Our little boy was higher upa bank
buisly plucking the blue bells and dandeions
that grew in profusion around, and we soon
lost sight of him altogether.
My wife was engaged in pcrusing copy
of "Baxter's Saints Rest" while had cast
myself on the grass beside her, enwrapt in the
beauty of the landscape spread to VIEW
There field of tasseling corn gently waved
to and fro, while here field of sweet-scent-
ed clover shed its grateful fragrance on the
air. Twas like some enchanted bower-thc
silence broken only by the tinkling ofshoeps
bells, or the lowing of kline as they peacefully
grazod on the distant pasture. | was think
ing of the infinite wisdom and goodness ol
the Great Creator in thus making earth SC
beautiful for poor sinful man, and how thou
sands are swept away from its charms and
forever forgotten, when l was aroused from
my reverie by the shrill whistle of the APP
Iproaching train. IEstinctyely | turned tC
~ E,rl xuhn claTY
Ition from my wife caused me to turn.
She was as pale as death. civilian, look
at our child" family whispered. ! did So
wrung my heart at that instant! The little
recreant had wandered up the track unheed-
cd, and sat himself down on one of the oaken
slcepers to Gull his flowers, just below the
curve, unconscious of the death that hovered
near him.
started up the track towards him, beck.
oning him to come to me as / advanced. In
stead of doing so, he, apprehended some play
full sport, commenced running directly up tn,
track, and laughing glcefuly as he went
The smoke from the advancing engine was
at this instant distinctly visible; it was moi
possible that could overtake him in time tc
save him from that cruel death. AS it was
was but hurrying him on to his doom. No
} it was evident my efforts could be ofno avail
breathel prayer to Him on high, and stag.
gcrcd back.
At this moment the sharp bark of a dog
broke upon my ear. With one geefrl bound
our boy cleared the track and grasped the lit,
tic woody intruder in his arms
The train rushed round the curve with q
whizzing sound. The iron monster was cheat
ed of his prey. am an old man, but must
confess that as | once more held our little
truant in my arms, safe, the tear of fgratitud,
started to my eye. The little dog had per
severingly followed the child unseen, to be thu
means of saving his life. Blind, blind indeed
is he who could rot see the finger of God il
his.-Ame,ican PreSbyterinn