Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1870-08-05


still for while.
did you have a good run down p
Nancy inquired. as she poured a cup o
tea. with a little tremOr shaking hel
hand.
Pretty fairish, replied John, putting
in a large mouthful of potato 'only We
came mighty near having a smash-up al
Brighton
"Oh John, how did It happen p
There was a broken rail. We don't
often stop at the station to coal but we
happened to yesterday, and it was all
that saved US from kingdom me''-
This time he put in a mOuthful of extra
size.
"How can you be so cool, John Ii
makes me shiver to hear you talk
Its easy enough to be cool, Mamie,
sitting here with you. Everybody on the
line knows we are bound to have Just so
many accidents a year. It's thing that
can be ciphered on. Yesterday l saw a
! poor fellow lying stretched on a truck,
with both legs cut clean off below the
| knees. 1t was his own carelessness.-
He tried to jump on after the train got
underway. 1t turned me sick and giddy.
Sometimes lately I've been thinking that
I'm hardly fit for this business. The
| thought of you here, little woman, makes
me squeamish. l never used to know
/ that I had a nerve in my body /; but now
nights, when drive the train through
the dark, get to feeling your arms
around my neck, and a deuced queer
feeling it is too. Men who have more
than one life depending on theirs have
no right to run into dangerous SER
vice"
The little woman flushed then paled
suddenly, at Johns last words. ''You
must get out of it, John. There's more
reason now p And then she stopped,
ard laid down her knife and fork, and
the canary-bird began to sing as if he
had Just walked up and was repeating
his dreams in music.
THAT is Just what has been bothering
me sight lately. You see I used to
have the reputation of being a cool
steady hand. But l shall make mess
of it one of these days: know l SHALL
1t don't do to be forever thinking of
home, and dreading danger, and setting
big price on your life. What's your
opinion about farm out West, Mamie?
Don't you think you would be as happy
as a queen among the pigs and chick
ems p
I've always Ionged for it, John; for
then l could have you with me all the
time. and l should get rid of the old
dread that l feel like load right here,
laying her hand upon her bosom.
Courage, little woman! Well fetch
it before the year is out. Then l shall
have enough saved to start on some
where. l wouldn't mind if it was far
away on the border; for, big fellow as I
am, don't think should be as much
afraid of wild Injuns as l am getting to
be of the road. So, if nothing happens
before another spring comes round, we
will be living in our own shanty."
Something is going to happen,
John" The little woman spoke quick
ly, as if it cost her an effort and the
unwonted color came in a gush to cheek
and brow
John had finished his supper and
showed away from the table, and was
sitting now tilted with his back against
the wall, with his pipe in his hand. He
leaned forward and took long look at
her. Then he said, very low: Come
here Mamie
mot now, John. Let me clear away
the things and wash the dishes; and then
we viii have a long talk.
There was not mHcA more said until
the little woman had tIdied the ROOM
John sat in the same place, breathing
out thin blue wreaths of smoke, that rose
and Curled about his head. The moon
light began to shine 5throagh the muslin
curtains, and lay in still, bright squares
upon the floor. At last John reached
up to take down a lamp from the
shelf
"Dont," said Nancy. coming to him
now. :'Let US sit awhile in the moon
light" And then she toyed awhile with
the 6ngres of his big hand. and got her
arm arond her neck, and pressed her
two hands softly over his eyes, and the
secret was told.
John sat still, and held her close to
him. Something profoundly good and
sweet welled up in his bosom, and would
not let him speak. 1t seemed as though
the angels must be looking down at
them there in the hush of the moonlight
He was glad the lamp had not been lit
For big, womanish tears rushed to his
eyes; and a solemn, tender, religious
feeling came over him, such as he had
never experienced before.
God is very good to US. Mamie" he
said when he could command his voice.
1t will be a boy, of course. The first
always ought to be a boy-a little
healthy, rosy fellow, with pair of eyes
in his head just like his mothers.
Don't say that, John, Nancy whis-
pered ''for then you might grieve if it
was a girl-a blue-eyed haxen haired
thing. They say girls are better than
boys, John, and easier to rear up. She
shouldn't tease you nights for | should
never tire of hushing her. Just think
how like a picture it would be. with the
cradle in the corner, and playthings
scattered on the floor, and the little shoes
and stockings printed and creased with
her tiny feet. You should always see
her at the window John.
They sat in the moonlight, with hands
clasped, until the fire all went out of
Johns pipe; and he said, at last, break
ing the delicious silence:
"The new prospect little woman. puts
me out with the road more than ever
A man hasn't any business to be rash
when there are them depending on him
who are nearer than his life. 3"
Next morning John was up long be-
fore dawn and the little woman was up,
too, busying herself with his breakfast.
There was a shadow cnsher face. And
at last she came out of the cloud by the
stove, where the steak was broiling and
the coffee steaming. and said John, 1
had mothers warning last night.
'rWhat's that p inquired John, rather
sharply, turning around from where he
was doing up his bundle.
'sPast midnight | woke with a start.
and something seemed to go by me in
the dark. Mother used to say it was
| sure sign of danger ahead"
Fudge! !" returned John, snappishly.
''Your mother is an old gran-I mean
old women are full ofsigns and wonders
Don't go to filling your head with such
notions every time you happen to have
a nightmare.
"Never mind, - said Nancy, waiving
the subject. in a tone which exasperated
John more still ; for he was certain she
put faith in the warning, and would
brood upon it after he got away
81 want to go to the station with you. -
she added, quietly. 81 can stay in the
waiting-room by Mrs. Crockett until it is
broad daylight; and you will have few
minutes for me after the train is made
,,r, -