Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-20
A Thrilling Incident.


One beautiful summers afternoon, |, in
company with my wife aud child-a little
Prattlng fellow 81 SIX summcrs-started out
for Il walk. \ little dog that WAS much at
tached to the child, persisted i'll following us.
Twice had driven him buck, the last time,
lis thought. eticctually. The afternoon was
very fine, aud rs followed the serpent-ikc
winnings of the railroad, conversation very
naturally turned to the scenes and little IN
cidents ot our walk:-thc gay-plumed song
sters, the chattcriug squirrel, and the hum
ming bee, all consprcd To take our nttcn-
ton.
Becoming wearicd, at length, we sat our
selves down on II grassy knoll 10y the side "t
IL railroad, about tw" hundred yards below
where Il sharp angle occurs hiding il from
view. Our little boy WAS highcrup the bank,
busily plucking the blue bells and dasdellons
that grew in protrlsion around, and we soon
lost sight of him altogether.
My wite WAS engaged in perusimg il copy
of "Baxte-'s Saints Rest" while had cast
myself on the grass beside her, cnwrapt III
the beauty of the landscape spread to view.
There field OF tasseling corn gently waved
To aud fro, while here field of sweet-sccnt-
cd clover shed its grateful fragrance on the
air. Twas like some enchanted buwcr-the
silence broken only by the tnklng OF Sleeps
bells, or the lowing Of kline as they pence
fully grazed on the distant pasture. | was
thinking Of the infinite wisdom and good
Hess of the Great Creator, III thus making
earth So beautiful ior poor sinful man, and
how thousands are swept away from ITS
charms forever and forgotten, when | WAS
aroused from my revere by the shrIi whistle
of the approaching train. lnstnrtiveIy |
turned To look Tor little Harry, when quick
rxcnmatN n from my wife caused me 10 turn
She was pale as death. William. look at
our chiid, she family whispered. did So;
and, INV God. who can tell the agony that
wrung my heart ut that instant, The little
rccreant had wandered up the track unhecd'
rd, and sat himself down un one Of the oak
EN- slecpcrs to Gull his flowers, ust below the
curve. unconscious of the death that lowered
near him.
started up the track towards him, beck"n,
ing him to come to mo us | advanced. In
stead OF doing 81, he, experimenting some play,
iul sport, commenced running directly up the
track, aud laughing slreluly aS he went
The smoke from the advancing eng me was
At this instant distinctly visible; it Was not
pussihe that could uvertakr him i'll time IL
save him from that cruel death. As 1t WAS.
| was bur hurrying him Oh IL hI- doom. M,
II WAS evident my Efforts could be OF no avail.
breathrd prayer to Him Oh high, and
staggered back.
At this moment the sharp bark of n log
broke upon my ear. With one : leetul bound
nur boy cleared the track and grasped the lit
rle woody INTRUDER in his arm.
The train rushed round the curve with II
whizzing sound The iron monster was
hentrd of his prey. Am m old man, but
must confess that as once more held our
little truaut in my arms safe. the tear "t FRA
tiude started To my eye. The little dog had
prrscrermgly followed the child Unseen, To
hc the means of saving his life. Blind, blind
indeed. i. he who could not see the finger vi
tod in this .lmryTrdn Presbyterian.