The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-12-29


part, and everything Looked cheerless
and apprehensiye. 1n,this mood, one
gray September day, strolled down to
the Point. had NOT expected fafy one
would be there, but as 7 turned aulhngie
Of the path. aaw Florence in water
proof cloak and hood, in her old seat;
and caught out in the surf the gleam
of Mr.. Wayne's red bathing suit. Even
as I gazed, and before I had spoken to
her, sharp cry broke from Florence,
and saw with dismay that Mr.. Wayne
had got beyond his depth, and not being
able TO swim, the under-tide-which was
very strong at that time-was sucking
him under, in spite Of his efforts to re-
sist it. In moment, was buffeting the
waves, and though am strong man
and an extra good swimmer, must con-
fees that more than once, I was on the
eve of giving over and letting fate dis
pose of both myself and the helpless
burden with which was trying to reach
the shore. But the sight of Florence
standing on the sands, her face white ms
death-her arms extended towards us,
gave me strength, and by and by, more
dead than alive, succeeded in laying the
old man at his daughters feet. And l
would have risked my life over and over
again, for the sake of hearing her say, as
she said then
"William Morton, may Heaven ever
bless you! You have saved all have to
love-"
Paul Stanford was on the spot almost
immediately-very much out Of breath
and very profuse in his protestations of
sympathy. He had witnessed the dan
ger Of Mr.. Wayne from Colney's Hill, q
quarter of mile away, and had come
with all haste, but too late to be of ma
terial assistance. He hoped, however.
that Miss Wayne would not refuse him
the pleasure Of supporting her father to
the cottage. And so by his superior tact
and address he managed to secure for
himself what was dying to ask for, the
privilege of accompanying them to their
residence. But Mr.. Wayne remembered
with gratitude the service I had done
him. Three days afterwards received
letter from the President of the Short
ing that I could have the situation of
station agent and signal tender at Bach
ly's Bridge. The salary was O liberal
one, considering the duties to be per-
formed, and was indebted for the offer
of the situation to Mr.. Wayne who was
the personal friend of the President. Of
course, 1 accepted the proposition. 1
was in need of employment and this
place would pay me better salary than
l could hope to earn anywhere else by
manual labor alone. It was trust of
responsibility, but prided myself on no
fear in regard to being able to perform
my duty. The management of the
switches came under my supervision, and
also the draw which had been fixed in
the bridge to allow vessels to pass
through. BY day we used balls rs sig
nals-if the draw was open, two green
balls were hoisted from the standard
few rods below the draw-if it was closed
and all was right, two red balls significd
that fact to the engineers. BY night,
red and green lanterns were substituted
for the balls. So you will readily under
stand that any failure on the part of the
station master to attend closely to his
duties might send some passenger train
to destruction in the twinkle of an eye.
For two months everything went like
clockwork. 1 had an efficient assistant
in John Stitson, porter who had been
employed ut the bridge for ten years,
and new all the ropes. I saw Florence
not unfrequently-she often went into
the city-and always came to the Office
for her ticket. One day when the car
riage did not come for her from tho cot
tage, had the felicity of holding her
soft hand for moment in mine rs I
lifted her out.
From the time l took possession of the
railway station, Paul Stanford had begun
to manifest a sort of friendship for me.
I had strong suspicious that it was us
sumed, though it seemed real enough
And indeed what particular object he
could have in feigning friendship for
me he did not feel, was at loss to
imagine. received his advances with a
coldness which would have repulsed m ost
men, bnt it seemed to have no effect on
him. He smoked his cigars in my little
private room, and read his papers there,
and talked to me in genial, off-hand
way-so thoroughly friendly that at
times I was ashamed of myself and my
suspicious. Thinking it over now, I
know that "by hook or by crook he
managed to worm out of me all the Sc
crcts of my business-if indeed they
may be called secrets; but at that time 1
did not take notice of his inquiries, SO
gradually were they put up. Meanwhile
I gained the confidence of the company
+ was trusted with larpa aums of nonov