Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-12-21

Europe-sighed over desolate Rome
walked upon the lava of Vesuvius
bcheld the magnificent prospect from
the highest peak uf Mount Blanc
foated on the waters of Lake Con
stance, and admired the impregnablt
fortress of Gibralter, and sojourned
for some months in the French Capt.
tOl.
At last they took passage from
Liverpool TO New York, and with
melting hearts looked out daily to
wards the blue distance where they
Rnew home was. A prosperous pas
sage was theirs; and from the bust.
ling American metropolis they took
the Express train on the eastern rail.
road which would set them down at
home before sunset.
But alas! how little do we know OF
coming events! How little do we re-
alize upon what a slender cord hangs
our destiny. AT lightning speed, the
train bore Eva, joyous and cheerful
in view of beholding once more the
dear old place, her father rejoicing in
his daughters happiness. In crossing
bridge on a broad, but shallow river,
the machinery of the engine became
disordered and in an instant the foam
ing monster plunged into the river
dragging the train after it.
At the first shock of the overthrow
a young man, who for the whole Jour-
ney had been regarding Eva with q
fixed attention, dashed towards her
and clasping her in his arms, reached
the tottering platform just as it was
going over. One frantic leap, and he
with his senseless burden, went down
beneath the water To rise almost in
stantly and strike for shore.
Boldly he swan On, and at last in
safety reached the land; after giving
Eva into the care of some benevolent
people who dwelt near the bridge, be
returned to the scene of the accident
hoping to be of some service in rescu-
ing those yet imperriled.
Sad to relate Mr. Philips was among
the killed, and Eva, on the return to
consciousness, found herself orphaned
and alone in the world among stran-
gers 1t was a new and terrible ex-
perience to her, and her shrinking
spirit was nearly broken by the shock.
She suffere1 herself to be guided en-
tirely by the advice of her unknown
prescrver. depending upon him with
the trust of a helpless child. Uuder
his protection, Eva set out for home;
home no longer, now that there were
no more on earth to care for her
The house at Wheathold had been
closed the greater part ofthe time du-
ring the absence of lis owners, and
had only been opened few weeks
before in expectation of their coming.
Everything was damp and mouldy-I
the curtains were falling TO pieces in
the continued moisture of the atmos-
phere-everything bore the impress
Of gloom. Still heavy fell that gloom
when the closed coffin holding the
of Mr.. Philips was brought
INTO the long, dark parlor awaiting
the funeral service of tomorrow
morn.
Eva's afliction was dreadful to wit
ness. She took notice of nothing,
neither ate nor slept, and refused all
Attempts of consolation from her
;ympathizing neighbors. The young
stranger who accompanied her home,
-ook charge of everything, and the
people supposing hun to havo been
IN intimate friend of the deceased,
made no inquiries concerning his
light to act as he saw fit.
Mr.. Philips was buried by the side
If his wife; and Eva on the arm of
he plying old clergyman, went down
o the grave icily, tearless-like
stone statue, exhibited no EN- otion-I
lttering no sigh; her eyes looked
'aguely into vacancy with fixed i'm
stare.
Tho funeral over, the stranger en-
,aged two trusty servants, a man and
lis wife, to take charge of the domes-
ic Affairs about the place, and then he
made preparations for immediate de-
The morning upon which
ie was TO leave. he sent message to
Eva, requesting private interview.
t was granted, and she met him in
he little boudoir attached to her
where she had passed the
-reater portion of her time since her
eturn. He came in with a little
Iesitation is his step and took the
hair her silent nod indicated. AS he
i'd so, his eye fell involuntarily upon
he dipper, which still retained its old
lace upon the dressing bureau. He
tarted up and approaching it took it
nto his hands and examined it long
nd attentiveDy Still retaining the
anne to Eva's side.
"Miss Philips"
She looked up dIoarily on hearing
er name spoken, but her face bright
ned instantly when she beheld her
lvorite plaything.
"May ask you how you came by
bis, Miss Philips?"
alt was given to me by q peddler,
cry many years ago dis name is
n the side"
"and you have preserved it through
IL this time? Strange? You evi
emily prize it."
"Prize it! sir it has saved my life
But who are you, that questions me
hus?"
"Would you like to see the giver of
hat trifing toy? Would it please
'ou to see Eugene Fuller?"
"Yes, IL would crafty me above all
hings. Then l would thank him,
Or the pleasures his gift has procured
le."
"Then Eva Philips, look up in my
ace and thank mel 1 am Eugene
Eullers"
The girl arose hurriedIy to her feet