The weekly Anglo-African., 1859-09-03
From the American Presbyterian. ]
A THRILLING INCIDENT.

One beautiful summers afternoon, I, in
company with my wife and child-a little
prattling fellow of six summers-started
out for walk. A little dog, that was
very much attached to the child, persisted
in following us. Twice had 1 driven him
back, the last time, as I thought, efectually
The afternoon was very fine, and, as /
slowly followed the serpent-like windings
of the railroad, conversation very naturally
turned to the scenes and little incidents of
our walk; the gaily -plumed songsters, the
chattering squirrel, and the humming 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 be-
low 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 grow in profusion
around, and we soon lost sight of him al
together.
My wife was engaged in perusing a copy
of Bakers Saints Rest" while cast
myself on the grass beside her, enwrapt in
the beauty of the landscape spread to view.
There field of tasselling corn gently waved
to and fro, while here a field of sweet
scented clover shed its grateful fragrance
on the air. Twas like some enchanted
bower, the silence broken only by the
tinkling of Sleeps bells, or the lowing of
kline, as they peacefully grazed on the dis
tant pasture. l was thinking of the inf
mite wisdom and goodness of the Great
Creator, in thus making earth so beautiful
for poor, sinful man, and how the thou
sands are swept away from its charms for
ever and forgotten, when L was aroused
from my reverie by the shrill whistle of
the approaching train. Instinctively l
turned to look for little Harry, when
quick exclamation from my wife caused
me to 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 wandered up the track
UNDECIDED, and had sat himself down on
one of the oaken sleepers to Gull his flow
ers, just below the curve, unconscious of
the death that lowered near him.
started up the track towards him, beck
oning him to come to me as l advanced.
Instead of doing so, he, apprehending some
playful sport, commenced running directly
up the track, and laughing gleefully as he
went. The smoke from the advancing en-
CINE was at this instant distinctly visible;
it was not possible that I could overtake
him in time to save him from that cruel
death; as it was, was but hurrying him
on to his doom. No, it was evident my eff
forts 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 grasp
ed the little woolly intruder in his arms
The train rushed round the curve with
a 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 followed 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.