The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1867-11-28

"My little, Joe! She spoke from her
heart, and bent over and kissed her.
One club night, as was dressed to 90,
Joe stood before mo.
"Ned," said she, 81 never had a fault
to find with you before. You've been
Kind, and good, and loving, always; but
shall be sorry We ever met ifyou go on
in this way. Don't ask me what
mean. You know"
"Ioe," said I, "its only club night"
at will grow" said she.
Then she put her arms around my
neck. ..'. ..... .
Don't be afraid, child. I'll never
pain you 30 again"
81 meant it; but at IL o'clock that
night | fel. that l bad forgotten my pro.
mise and my resolution.
couldn't 60 home to Joe made M
my mind to sleep on the club sofa and
leave The place for good mex. day. Al.
ready feIt my brain reel as never had
before. In an hour / was in land Of
stupor
1t was morning. A waiter stood ready
to brush my coat. saw grin upon his
face. Ny bead seemed ready to burst;
my hand trembcd looked at nv
watch | saw that had only five min,
utes left to reach the depot!
Joe'a words came to my mind. Was
fit to take charge Of the euginol Twas
not fit to answer. ought to have asked
some sober man. As it vas, + cnlv
caught up my hat and rushed away. I
was just in time.
The San Francisco glittered in the
morning sun. The cars were filing rap.
idly. From my post could hear the
talkirg-bddiog each other good bye,
promising to write and come again.
Among them was an old gentleman
knew by sight--one Of the shareholders 4:
he was bidding two timid girls adieu.
Good bye, Ki.tie-good bye, LuC," |
heard him say ; "don't be nervous. Tho
San Francisco is the safest engine on the
line, snd Gueljon the most CAREFUL en-
gineer. | wouldn't be afraid to trust
every mortal love 10 the world to their
keeping. Nothing cou'd happen wrou :
to the two together"
said, "ril get through it somehow,
and Joe shall never talk 10 me spain."-
After all, it WAS easy enough. reeed
as | spoke. | heard the signal. We
we're OF.
Five hours from L to D; five hour.
back. On the last should be myseli
again, know. saw p red fiu,ter. ard
never guessed waa. it was until we were
| past the down Vsin Mt the wrong place.
Two minutes more and we should have
had collision. Somebody told me. |
laughed. heard him say respectfully
or course, Mr.. Gue'don, you know
wEa. you sre about r.
Then | WAS alone, aud wondering
whether should 90 slower or faster
did something, and the cars rushed on al
fearful rate.
The same man who had spoken TO mc
before, was standing near me. | heard
ONE questions.
How many miles An hour were we MAJ
kingl did not know.
Rattle, rattle, rattle. I was trying 70
slacken the speed OF the San Francisco
l could not remember what should do.
Was it this or thatl Faster-onlv las,
ter. | was playing the engine like a
child.
Suddenly there was horrible roar
crash Was flung somewhere. +. was
into the water. BY miracle | was only
sobered-not hurt. gained the Shore
| stood upon the ground between the
track aud the rivers edge, and there
B"beu ~ my own WOTh'
The engine was in fragments, the cars
in splinters dead, dying aud wounded
were strewn around-men, women and
children, DID age and tender YOUTH
There were groaus and shrieks Of despair.
The MANNED cried out 10 pain the un-
injured bewaiIcd their dead; and voice,
unheard by any other, was in my ear
whispering, Murder -
The news had gone back to a, and the
people came thronging down to find their
los. ones. Searching for an old mans
daughter, I came TO a place under the
trees, and Eve bodies were lying there in
all their rigid horror--sn old woman, q
young ono, baby and two little children.
II was fsncy--it was pure fancy, born to
nv anopish--ihev looked like-oh o,oat