The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-01-14

that followed his appalling announce

quickly as he had, in the moving
sprung to the falling form Of the
poor woman, and her child, did he
while the last words passed his lips,
iplace himself in the aisle by the side
of Leila's seat.
She startled, bewildered by the
lquick rush of events, and terif-
ed by the imminent danger, would
have sprung out into the aisle, fol
lowing the example of some of her
fellow passengers, had he not gently
but firmly held her back; and, as il
to allay her fright, he took from the
seat beside her, the travelling bag ly-
ing there, thus tacitly, constituting
himself her protector.
Even then in the horrible uncer-
tainty of the moment, she felt a
thrill of exultation. that he, her
hero of the morning, should have
singled her out as the one to save
for, singularly enough, she had no
doubt of his power, to do so. Had
she looked, more closely at the white
set face, resolutely turned away from
her, bracing himself where she stood
meanwhile, she would have been less
hopeful of escape.
All this, had occupied but a very
short space of time, and the next in
slant the crash came.
Leila felt herself seized, and held
firmly in her place, but she instinct
lively closed her eyes, and sac no
thing.
When she opened them, she heard
in front the groans, of the wounded,
and the clear voice beside her say
ing.
''Thank God! 1t IS as 1 hoped.
They had slackened sufficiently to
save the rear cars"
All around them, was cofusion.
Indeed, some of the excited ones in
this car, who had not needed the in
junction so wisely given, had been
prostrated by the shock, and we're
hurt-but none seriously.
Brace Clifton said, hurriedly to his
companion.
Il must go to the assistance OF
the others. 1 will return, and he
was gone.
Leila Lawrence was not merely, a
fine lady: She was brave, gener-
Gus, and tender woman, albeit, a
proud one, and she, too, struggled to
the entrance of the car, and followed
where she heard the cries of pain.
1t was a sight to linger in the
memory forever. The engine, and
at least half of the cars had been
thrown entirely off the track; and
while some of the ill-fated passen-
gers, had been crushed against the
side of the cars, others we're fastened
down beneath the heavy portions of
the shattered mass, and, still others
had been driven partially through
the windows, and, unable to extri-
cate themselves, were in danger of a
horrible death from fire, fol. the Goals
from the broken stoves had quickly
kindled the woodwork into flames,
and those wo were humanely endeav-
oring to save their misfortunate fel-
lows from death, had this powerful
enemy to deal with.
Leila stood appalled,: but she did
not lose her presence oflnind, They
were bringing out from the now
burning cars, some of the wounded
and helpless,
/ She took her place, quickly and
silently, where they carried them
and bound up the bleeding limbs, as
best she might.
/ Others came too; and she had help
Once "her hero" came, staggering
under the combined weight of a
woman and her child,-both insensi-
i ble-and both somewhat burned, but
unhurt seriously otherwise.
As he saw Leila, his face brighten
ed; but he quietly gave his helpless
burdens into. her care. She recog-
nized in them, the same he had be-
friended in the morning.
See she said, invOluntarily,
1T is the same poor woman, whom
you gave your seat to this morning.
1t was no time for sentiment; but
both remembered the exclamation
afterward. Now, he to whom it was
addressed, hurried away, to relieve
others if he could.
It's interesting to note how the
presence of real danger, will demol
ish, with unsparing hand the sham;
of society.
Meantime, both did what they
could to relieve and to save. No
were thty alone, Many, who haC
not suffered any hurt, were equal,
useful, but endurance has an end.
81 A gentleman, who had been in th'
: front car, was so wedged in: and fast
, ened to his place, that no powe
could save him from the swift ap
t preaching flames.
2 To the last, he essayed to cOmfor
those around him, and to urge th'
men engaged in futile efforts to saw
2 him., to bestOw upon others the worl
e which was lost upon him.
at is useless, my friends" said tn
l brave, untremulOus voice.
81 shall perish here" "Save thos
: who can be extricated."
/; The next moment the flames swep
2 over him.
Leila fell in a dead faint, and thu
! Brace found her, and conveyed her t
her old place in the car.
y CuApTER L