The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-08-27

| y.
Minute after minute passed away, and
at last when I began to be certain that
some accident hnd occurred; it hove in
sight, just fvo minutes before the ex-
press was due, which I knew could not
be more than two miles behind. 1 saw
at once the cause Of the delay; the train
was unusually long and heavy, and the
engine, number forty-two, which the
fremen had christened Old Ricketty, ;
was the worst on the road. The switch
was NIL ready, but the train moved so
slowly that the Inst car had hardly left
the main trnck when heard the whistle
Of the express, aud the next moment
she rounded tho bend at full speed. I
knew that [ didn't have my too much
tlme to get the switch in position, aud
went at my work with will, when sud
denly heard ch;l;ls scream, mud turn
ing around, I saw little Willie struggling
in the water. For an instant the sight
OF fny child's danger overpowered every
| other consideration, and sprang for the
! river, but before I got hnlf the distance,
! the hoarse whistle OF the approaching
trnin rang in my ear like trumpet, and
the thought of my duty, md the hun
dreds Of lives that would be sacrificed if
deserted my post, went through my
brain like fash of lightning, while all
the time there was feeling about my
heart [ can't tell in 80 many words-I
only know it was worse than death-be--
seeching me to save my boy.
"The whole thing couldn't have lasted
moro than two seconds, and how the one
feeling got the better of the other, I
mover knew. I have no recollection of
turning back, but the next thing I re-
member I was at the switch working
away like mad. I never had such
strength. I felt that I could have
wrenched MP the solid iron rails in my
agony, and bent them like straw; and I
did not seem to see anything about me
distinctly, neither rails nor ties, but
dimly and vaguely, as if in dream, or
at great distance. What did see as
plainly as l do now, although it was be-
hind me, WAS the clear and beautiful
river, flowing on in the morning sun,
and in the midst OF it little Willie weakly
struggling for help, while the bright,
cruel waves smote him in the face and
laughed. I had no ear for the nearing
train, but all heard-or seemed to, for
l can't rightly say-were his cries to his
father Tor help, growing fainter and
fainter; and then the horrible bubbling
sound, as he sank finally, and his last
breath found its way to the surface.
en"At length, the switch was in position.
and although it's short job at best, and
I must have accomplished it at that time
with quickness can never again equal.
yet it seemed longer than tho longest
summers day; but it was done, and 1
rushed to the river and gazed eagerly
around for some sign that might tell me
where to plunge in to rescue my child:
but there was nothing, nothing but the
sunlight that glistened brightly on the
little wavelets that smiled mockinRly in
my face as they hurried onward. don't
remember anything further. There was
q great choking in my throat. huge
weight Of lead seemed to fall on nv
brain, and all was blnck. When came
to my senses, it was three weeks after
ward, with my old woman-God bless
her-sitting along side of me, holdin'
my hand in hers. The doctor said I had
made close miss Of it, and st first I felt
sorry that I had lived at nll; but that
didn't last long, for I knew there was
another one-she who sat beside me
who had suffered more than I had, and
stood it nobly, so tried to get better in
order to console her. It was two weeks
more before l got out Of bed, and quite
two months before I was able to 90
around. will never be the same man
again.
"Ihe company pensioned me, md
didn't want me to do any moro work at
oil. But couldn't bear to be idle-you
see. sir. l wasn't brought up to it, and,
strange as it may appear, 1 didn't feel
like working anywhere save in the old
place; seemed to bo closer to nv boy
there. [ found the lily lie had gathered,
just. ns l had placed it in my jacket
pocket, and gave it to his mother. She
has 1t yet. all withered and colorless, in
little glass on the mantle piece, and
there' SIR, it shall remain in sight of us
ooth, until our time comes to join him..
II blush for YOU" as the rouge pot
said to the old dowager