Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-02-11
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Life on q Rail Road

II .
There Is saying that the friendship Of q dol
Is better than his ill-will, and for many year
In my capacity as railroad conductor, hav
found the above true to the letter-but mind,
am not saying that have no enemies, l un
doubtedly have a few, and do not think ther
Is man that lives but has more or less. A liz
tie kindness now and then to the many ones
conductor will find almost every trip over hi
road, will not be lost--and he will in many cas-
es, find, from his "bread cast upon the waters,
return four fold. Yet he must use grea
deal of judgment in bestowing his charity upol
even those be thinks entirely vortey Of iti be-
stowal. Twill in connection, relate little in
cident by which little kindness saved my life
and the lives of all thepassengers on board nj
train,
The western division Of our road runs through
a very mountainous part of Virginia, and the
stations were few and few between. About
three miles from one of these stations the road
runs through deep gorge Of the Blue Ridge,
aud near the center 10 O small valley, and there
hemmed In by the everlasting bills, stood q
small one and half story cabin. The few acres
that surrounded it we're cultivated as garden
and upon the products thereof lived widow and
her children by the name of Graf. They we're in
deed, untutored In the cold charities Of an out
side world. / doubt much II they ever saw
sunshine beyond their own native hills. In the
summer time the children brought berries to
the nearest station to sell, and with the,money
they earned they bought few of the necessi-
ties of the outside refinement.
The oldest Of these children / should Judge
to be about twelve years, and the youngest
about seven. They were all girls, and looked
nice and clean, and their healthful appearance
and natural delicacy gave them ready welcome.
They appeared as if they had been brought up
to God, and to love an humble home and moth.
er. | had often stopped my train and let them
get off at the station some three miles from
home after disposing Of their berries.
had children at home, and knew their
little feet would be tired in walking three miles,
and therefore felt that it would be the same
with those fatherless little ones. They seemed
so pleased to ride, and thanked me with such
very hearty thanks, after letting them off near
home. They frequently offered me nice tempt
ing baskets of fruit for my kindness, yet
never accepted any without paying their full
value.
= Now, If you remember, the winter of 1854
was very cold in that part OF the State, and the
snow was nearly three feet deep upon the noun
tains.
On the night of the 26ih Of December of that
year it turned round warm and rain tell in tor
rents. A terrible storm swept the mountain
tops, and almost filled the valleys with. water.
Upon that night my train was winding its way
at Its usual speed around the hills and through
the valleys, and as the road bed was of solid
rock, had no fear Of the banks giving out
The night was intensely dark, and the wind
moaned piteously though the deep gorges OF
the mountains. Some OF my passengers were
trying to sleep, others we're talking in low
voice, to relieve the monotony of the scene.--
Mothers had their children upon their knees, as
II to shield them from some unknown danger
without.
1t was near midnight, when q sharp whistle
from the engine brought me to my feet. 1
knew there was danger by that whistle, and
sprang to the brake at once, but the brak eeme en-
were all at their posts and soon brought the
train to q stop. seized my lantern and found
ny way forward as soon as possible, when what
, sight met my gaze! A bright fire of pine
ogs illuminated the track for some distance,
ind not over forty rods ahead Of our train,
lorrible gulf had opeued its nav to receive US.
The snow, together with the rain had torn the
whole side of the mountain out, and eternity
tself seemed spread out before us. The widow
jraR and her children had found it out, and had
brought light brush from their house, and built
arge fires to warn US os our danger. They
lad been more than two hours, watching that
beacon of safety. AS went up where that old
ady and her children stood, drenched through
y the rain and sleet, she grasped me by the
Irm and cried:-- a3g
"Thank God! Mr. Sherbourn, we stopped you
n time. would have lost my life before one
lair Of your head should have been hurt. Oh, |
prayed to heaven that We might stop the train |
md my God, thank theer'
The children were crying for Joy. confess,
don't very often pray, but / did then and |
here. kneeled down BY the side Of that |
,ood old woman and offered up thanks to the |
All Wise Being for our safe deliverance from |
most terrible death, and called down bless |
ngs without number upon that COOP old woman !
nd her children. Near by stood the engineer,
lreman and brakesman the. tears streaming |
own their bronzed cheeks.
Immediately prevailed upon Mrs. Graf and
he children to 60 back into the cars out Of the
torn and cold. After reaching the cars re-
ated our hair breadth escape, and to whom we
rere indebted for our lives, and begged of the
nen passengers to 60 forward and see for them
elves. They need no further urging, and a
reat many ladies went also regardless of the
torn. They soon returned and their pale fa-
es gave full evidence of the frightiul death we
lad escaped. The ladies and gentlemen We'd
nth each other in their thanks and heartfelt
ratitude towards Mrs. Graft and her children,
nd assured her that they would never, never,
orget her, and before the widow left the train
be was presented with purse Of four hundred
nd sixty dollars, the voluntary offering of
1hole train of grateful passengers. She refus-
d the proffered gift for some time, and said she
ad only done her duty, and the knowledge Of
aving done so was all she asked. However,
he finally accepted tho money, and said it
hould 20 to educate her children.
(, The railroad company built her new house,
ave her and her children life pass over the
oad, and ordered all the trains to stop and let
er of at home when she wished. But the EN-.
loyees needed no such orders, they can appre-
late all such kindness more 30 than directors
themselves. .JA "a
The old lady frequently visits my home at
II, and she is at all times welcome Wis
TOR at my fireside. Two of the children are at
ending school at the same place,
So you may soe that little kindness cost me
othing and saved my liie.--Lancasier Intsth-
eneeT. -~s