Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1870-12-01

'SA oAA1 oAsh CfiO- III ohOo SOC u
so tight that l feared the chains
would break, did not seem to
have the slightest effect
upon the train. On, on it went,
at its dangerously rapid speed.
i stretched my neck out as far
as possible, clinging nervously
to the railing. ] could see that
Brown was at his post, looking
out as l did, and moving his
hand energetically, while whis-
tie and bell, were uniting their
protest.
What was the matter, / could
not conjecture, but was anxious
to know. Springing upon the
rail, | made my way to the top
of the car, and the mystery was
revealed. There on the track
was a sight that sent a thrill of
horror through me. Only a
few feet ahead of us on the
track, stood a mere chiId-un-
conscious Of its danger-paral-
lied so that it could not move.
just clear of the track lay a
woman, evidently helpless. /
looked for Gardiner, to see
what he was doing ere | closed
my eyes to shut out the horrible
sight. The poor fellow had not
been idle. Plainly seeing that
he could not drive the child
from the track and that its COM
panion was helpless, he left his
cab and climbed forward on the
on the extreme end of
the cow-catcher, leaning over,
and while clinging with one
hand, reached over with the 9TH
Ell. There did not seem one
chance in a million to save the
child-not one-but anxiety
oyercame horror, and | looked,
and shuddered as / looked.
How my heart leaped into my
very throat as | saw the train
dash. on, but saw that as it did
so, Gardiner, with almost su-
perhuman effort, raised the child
by its arm from the track and
it toits bosom. Thenhe
sank down upon the cow-catch-
er, faint and powerless. His
fireman climbed out to his side,
and you may rest assured | was
not long in getting to their as
sistance. The unusual noise
of the steam had brought every
person in the village out to wit
ness the sight, and as they real
ized it they shouted their JOY
until their throats must have
been hoa1se. The fireman and |
chung to Gardiner; there was
no need to hold to the child, for
though rigid and helpless Gar
diner held the little one to his
breast with an iron grasp
Very soon we crossed the bridge
and struck the upgrade, when
the train slowed and finally
came to a full stop. nearly in
front of Gardeners house.
With the help Of sCme Of the
We took by force the
child from Gardeners arms and
carried the engineer into the
house and laid him on the bed.
As he sank down the little life
in him seemed to come back,
and he whispered: "W hose
child is it p
2 superintendent Browns" )"
said a neigbbor, to my astonish-
ment. a
:. as it alive ?" gasped Gar
diner. 75i.
a'1t is aliveand well-thanks
to your bravery" / ansN cred,
and Gardiner sank back upon
his pillow.
The child which Gardiner
had so miraculously saved was
a son and only child Of our Su-
perintendent. 1t seemed singu-
lar that the morning talk of the
two men should have so singular
an ending, but SO it was. The
wife of the Superintendent with
their only child had gone out
for a walk. The little one run
ming on ahead had strayed upon
the track. Hearing the whistle.
the mother called the child TO her.
hun the child happy in Its frre
dom, ran on laughing and shout
ing, child like, into the jaws oi
danger. It was too much for the
mother; she made an effort to
save her darling, but before she
could overtake the little one. hrl
strength failed her and she fell
Our engine was injured so that
it was impossible TO go on. and
RAbther was telegriphed Ior-
We Tried all we could to bring
Gardiner back, but the physician
said that the excitement u del
which the noble fellow had la