Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-06-21

The sisters passed four years IN gayety
and fashion, skimming from one watering
place to another, aud then Ellen married.
Mr.. Nandecken came home one evening,
saying that he was going out west on busi-
ness that if Bessie could be really at seven
o clcck the next morning she might go with
him.
4 large Saratoga trunk stood in the pas
sage at six. They travelled in safery till the
last evening of their journey.
Only one night more, said Bessie to
herself, as size looSened her dress and un-
buttoned her boots, that | shall have to
crawl into this musty, draughty berth in
sleeping-car.
Tired out, she soon fell into an uaeasy
slumber She was suddenly awakened by a
terrible crash, as if two trains had rushed
together, followed by shouts, cries, groans,
and confusion. She was instantly thrown
forward, il seemed to her, out of the car
then she lost consciousness. When she part
lyssrecovered her senses she heard the same
agoniz ing moaning and cries, and thought
she had been killet and sent to perditlon :;
for above her head there gared great.
binding red light; she seemed to be lying
on u hard, iron hayrack, then demonlac
face bent over her, and two brawny bare
arms grasped her and bore her swiftly away.
Was it the arch feud himself bearing her
down, down to still more punishment?
Two trains had colided-one dashing into
and shutting up in the other like telescope.
By some miracle Bessie was flung uninjurcd
on the COW catcher of the engine which
burst in the end of her sleeping car Just
as she fell, the engineer managed to jump
out, seize her, and drag her off the perilous
place. He carried her to the nearest hotel
where soon the dead and wounded were
brought in heart rending numbers. Among
the former was Mr. Fandecken.
In the agony of her grief word was bro t
that the engineer wished to see her.
''iet him come in, said she tearfuly.
Though now my father is gone, cannot
thank the man for saving my life.
The engineer was tall muscular man,
with heavy beard. This time his tace was
not begrimed with coal dust Bessie saw at
once that he was not the arch fend, as she
thought on the COW catcher; but there was
something familiar about his features. Still
she felt sure she had never met him before,
As she had no acquaintances among men who
worked like that for living.
Don't you know me, Bessie? he said,
ialteringly, but with no touch Of shame.
She uttered cry, and straightway fell
sobbing into the outspread arms of the dir
ty engineer, who wore Il red flannel SHIRT.
shabby, coarse pants turned up at the ankle,
clodhopping boots, and worked Ike that for
a living.
Its Kitten it's Kitten! it's my dear
old darling Kitten ~
And so it ,oas Kitten; though no wonder
she did not recognize him till he poke. The
slight, smooth faced youth of twenty had
changed into a bearded man of powerful
build. The dainty hands which once wore
ladies sized kid gloves were now strong
enough to drive an engine and guide fly
ing train and the Kitten of fast horses and
swell clubs was now content, even proud he
said, to earn his living by the sweat of his
brow. 1t was an humble calling, but "a
man 5 man for a that -
To be true to nature, almost every story
ends with marriage, and so does this fer
in eighteen months after her fathers de
cease, Bessie, the heiress, but true hearted
little girl of the period, became the wife of
the stalwart engineer the once meek, pur-
ring little Kitten.