The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-05-17

yelling mist, the lights on the other
shore. II was quieter walk; she liked
ii always; apd tonight the stiffness and
grayness suited her. She watched, with
a kind of fascination, the iron rails that
stretched so far away and out OF sight,
and fancied a resemblance TO the life-path
marked out for her travelling.
In upon her musings broke roaring,
rumbling sound. She had been slow to
hear it, and when she turned, the great,
fiery eye of an approaching engine was
blazing full upon her. She quickened
her pace for few rods, to reach a more
convenient place for leaving the road,
and was turning aside, when she caught
sight of dark form lying full upon the
track, yard or two in advance OF her.
a second glance made her heart beat fast
with terror. She sprang forward and
reached the PROSTATE tigure-a man, not
dead, but utterly insensible from intoXi-
cation. She tried to arouse HIM, but
touch and voice were alike unavailing.
She thought wildly of some way by
which to stop the approaching train; but
it was too late for that; OF help, but there
was none. Then exerting her utmost
strengths strength intensified by des-
peration-she succeeded at last in draw
ua
Just out of his position of peril, and sank
down herself upon the bank, as the train
went rushing by with its merrily flying
sparks, and its long row of brightly
lighted windows, revealing thecomforta-
BILE passengers within.
Not until the red lights had entirely
/ faded in the distance, did she leave her
seat; then pausing for a moment TO look
upon the one she had rescued, she went
slowly on her way. She had recognized
I the stupid, bloated face even in the half
| light, and knew that it was one for
which a home in the village waited that
night-sore troubled when it came, fear
| fully anxious when it did not. Not n
valuable life, whether saved or lost,
would have been the comment of the
neighborhoOd. 1t was the remark made
| in tue village store by those who went
out to look after the man upon Lucia's
information. But Lucia, glancing up at
the great, still sky, where the first stars
were beginning to come out, slIuddered
at thought of what might have been the
souls sudden awakening.
Life grows so wide, so deep, so solemn,
when one stands for a moment at the
open door that shows it stretching far
away into the Beyond. The current OF
thought in the girlish heart that bad
changed, as she walked homeward. The
| little vexations that had changed just
now. seemed great enough TO cloud all
the sky, sank into their proper insig-
nificance. Mrs. Doon's vapidity, MOlly's
carelessness, wOrn-out shoes and old
cloaks-were these the chains TO bind q
spirit knowing the ''power of an endless
! life ?"
There can he no sorrow like that which
sin brings. She realized it glaneiDg NJ
at the light from the home windows, and
thinking of the mothers sweet face
Aunt Samantha's good, kindly one, anc
the careless merriment of the children
who would welcome her; remembering
regretfully, too, the hours that had passeC
i'm gloomy silence, when they might have
been filled full with tine dear hOm,
warmth and cheer.
And so she went in to be brave, patient
and faithful always afterward? No; bu
to remember for little while, TO STUN
ble, grope, and rise again. y clear ey,
for perspective is not taught i'm one les
son, either in drawing or in life. Ye
are the lessons not useless; and the pic
ture shall stand forth fair and true a
last-the dusty, uneven road holding il
appropriate place, and high green hills
afar off.-Ctristidn Union.