Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-09-28
THE FATAL PIN.
A Pin, A Pln. My Kingdom for a Pin
rconohllled from Tuesdan,s Commercial.

/ was speaking Ill u lhnBuhBe WHICH Is IN
telligible, / believe, to guards of all tribes,
and nations. The half-crown was a mere
word. but uttered in the language of money.
lie saw and understood, but looked strangely
at me.
WAf-er-crown for pin !" he said with a
grin, 81 amt got such thing. (The impa-
patient englne-driver gave sharp expostu-
iating whistle) 'But wher we get in I'll
ave one for you, sir, never fear"
''lt won't do" said desperately; ask some
woman, female, LADY, must have 1t now.
(Again two sharp remonstrances from engine
Inan.) Give shillings," said, feeling at
my waistcaat pocket, ''shall be yours"
Though he saw was "queerish gentle
man." the exhibition of the tNo "'alf-er-
crowns" amounted TO conviction, to the most
cogent argument he had met with TO day.
Regardless OF the interests of his train-a
feature | have remarked in officers of his
class when thus tempted-l saw him on the
step of an adjoining carriage, making his
request. The curiosity of the passengers
was unbounded. They all thought it had
8 mething TO do with the train, the expresses,
etc. The benevolent man alone, who had
heard, was In q rage. Its scandalous pas
sengers' lives to be trifled with in this way.
I'll write to tue company. You're not fit TO
be a guard, running about taking money
from the passengers. Guard, returning In
triumph, bat looking guilty, called all his
effronIery to his aid.
II amt doing nothing of the kind. Don't
YOU interfere with me, and shan't with you.
Here you are, sir. l managed II, be said as
II he had performed service of danger We
understood each other; the reward was TO
be reserved till the end of the journey he
should have seven-and-siX then. Here was
the pin was saved. threw myself back
relieved, and we went on.
As all the hopes of Rome rested on this
little scrap of wire, went TO work cautious
ly. Why-why? When 1 looked at ii,
found ii was a frail fragile ghost of pin, a
little delicate cOnsumptive article, without
stamin or backbone. Its function was to p, 8
through four pieces OF stout starched linen
The Idea was ludicrOus In spirit of con-
fidence that seems childish, l set myself TO
make the attempt-it bent double in second,
and was so short and feeble that, on my at
tempting to straighten it, it bent back again
the other way like an acrobat.
On this l gave way to moody despair,
which increased as we came nearer and yet
nearer to the place of meeting. Then as the
engine houses and signal posts began to null
tiply, and the carriages to reel and jolt lit
Tie as we passed over switches and crossings
reused myself and, through sheer despair,
once more Strengthened the pin, and by some
mysterious balancing, or supernatural power,
succeeded in forcing it into two or perhaps
three of the folds. 1t did not go through,
hut II held somehow-would hold for few
seconds, until | could secure stout strong
pin, that would make all fast Then tying
my handkerchief very tightly over all,
waited without motion.
Here was the terminus-here were Belinda
and her mother. | am sure they thought me
cold, ii not surly for only smiled, instead
of leaping up, thrusting my body half out
of the window, and waving my hand till the
train stopped, as any other lover would have
done. When got and had remembered the
guard-who followed me with doubtful
eye, whispering to his fellow, and waiting to
see whom shall join, expecting no doubt tu
find keepers wailing-l found Belinda with
rather ''hurt" oppressed on her face. But
even then dared not relax or be empreSse, II
was too dangerous. l would make up all by
an effusion of tenderness later.
"What is the matter?" she said coldly /;
''you don't seem very glad to see me2 Have
offended your
''Offended !" exclaimed, so impetuously
that felt it had nearly given way; mo,
added more starchly, "but if you would let
ME go to Smith and Sons for moment
only for a single second"
''As many as you please" she said, really
angry "Mamma, we should have accepted
Captain Bridleman's offer; and it is not too
late yet; saw him at the door. Come !"
Brakeman was rival, and dangerous
one.
"Let us CO." said, seizing her hand ;
''never mind Smith & Son. 1t was nothing
after ALL
''And you could give me pain for nothing
after all This makes ii worse -
'Give you paint" said, vehemently, 81
declare solemnly-" Alas at that moment
felt 1t 20. The frail pin gave way-with g
sort OF snap, and the four ends of shirt and
collar flew apart. My ready hand barely
saved discovery.
"What is the matter ?" said my Belinda
mamma-''are you II"
"No-not at all, on the contrary, said
scarcely knowing what was saying
mo sore throat, trust Good gracious
with diptheria so fatal and so contagious !"
Belinda looked at me now steadily. Sht
was always u cold meditalive girl, that like
working out things to a conclusion.
Then why do you keep your hand to you
neck in that way Z"
well, l have a sort of cold, or think
"And that will cure 1t, or prevent 1t 2" sait
she in the same chilling way.
''Give me nin," | whispered to Belinda
mother-' quick -
She started. "a pin! What an odd re
quest What do you want 1t fOr2 Goo'
gracious not"
''Yes, mamma" said Belinda, 81 suppos
to prick my arm, he is looking so wicked
at mel declare am so glad to see you
Captain Bridleman."
A sort of ''hawhaw" gentleman had com
up, with large mouth and whiskers, and wa
bending over her.
why, good gracious !" he said, $50 com
plimeniary, declare. don't know what t
You must come to the meeting with us,
she said. ''The gentleman on whom W
counted, Is too much engaged with his sthroat.
''Alr. Bridleman turned on me a hal
amused half-insolent stare.
''Why, yes, SO it is, he said seems somt
thing in the throat. Go to Hooker at once
great doctor" And he looked as though
would go, at once, TO that eminent physician
at is not the throat" l said, smiling tet
bly,, 'when l explain--which | will later
"Well, l do say it is odd" said the captai
critically, "becsuse, you see, no person eve
heard of a soIe throat down there on I'll
collar-bone."
saw Belinda was shocked at the allusiOl
yet was 80 puzzled at my behavior that Il
latter sensation Overpowcred the former. Sti
dared not remove my hand. However mi
cradle the present situation, what would fo
low would be more disastrous. The CAPITA