The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-05-02

shrill whistle sounded over the country,
announcing our coming. As we swung
around the curve, l repeated it.
GOOD heavens, Harry Look look
look p And Joes hand struck me blow
as he sprang to my side in sort of ter
ror, and, grasping the whistle rope,
sounded, repeatedly, "Down brakes"
l had seen it, too-the figure of
woman upon the track. running toward
us, as she wildly waved her shawl in
the air, one arm upliited warningly, her
face turned full upon us in an agony of
terror, her flowing golden hair lit up in
the light of the engine, as we rushed
down upon her at fearful speed.
1 reversed the wheels again and again,
the whistle hoarsely shrieking out its
warning; but too late too late We
were upon her as she uttered wild cry
of terror, turned from the track, and
stumbled, the engine striking her with
fearful shock, hurting her far into the
air, mangled and torn.
Amid the shrieks of the whistle we
rushed around the curve, our speed fast
slackening, when, with great bound
that shook the engine in every joint. it
sprung from the track. plunging into
and ripping up the ties, twisting the
rails, lunging from side to side, and
then pitching into the ditch, with
shock that flung me insensible from my
hold.
When came to, 1 was lying on the
floor Of a farm house, while close around
from whom escaped a general exclama-
tion of joy as l opened my eyes and
looked up at them. What did it all
mean!
l raised myself up on one arm, and,
passing my hand across nay brow, tried
to comprehend why was here and who
were these people about me. All was
bewilderment and confusion in my poor
brain, and it was some little time before
1 gathered my scattered thoughts.
Then, realization of what 1 had passed
through came back to me, and cry of
horror burst from me as they told me 1
had killed the woman 1 had seen upon
the track.
buried my face in my hands, as the
vision of that upturned face came before
me, so full of agony and dumb pleading.
Then 1 reused myself, but they told me
to lie still until the doctor came; then,
as 1 insisted l was uphurt, beyond
few ugly bruises, they assisted me to
rise, when found myself sore and stiff.
My first thought was for Nellie. /
knew how anxious she would be. l
knew all she would suffer until she
heard was safe, so asked for pen and
paper that might send her telegram,
telling her 1 was WELL and would be in
Linden that night, where would re-
main. This was forwarded at once.
They told me, then, in rambling way,
each one adding an item, the story of the
accident.
A broken rail had thrown us from the
track; and the girl whom we had killed
had evidently discovered it while walk
ing home upon the track, and, hurrying
forward, had hoped to warn US, had mis-
calculated the distance and speed of the
engine, and had been caught under the
great wheels before she could turn from
its path, having nobly sacrificed herself
in order to save the great train and its
precious load.
So much had been surmised of her in
tentions, and Joe and 1, of course, con-
firmed the story. She was lovely girl
OF seventeen, the only daughter, they
said, of neighboring farmer-John
Dixon.
Poor girl Dear,noble-hearted girl %
said wiping away the tears that filled
my eyes and choked my utterance.
L sat silent for moment, thinking
what I could do to show my sympathy
for the poor parents in their terribly sad
bereavement. At last called man to
my side-one who seemed to be giving
ORDERS and to have the direction of
matters, and, steadying my voice, said,
quietly:
Where is she-the poor girl, yoa
know"
"They have taken her home they
took her home as soon as she was identi-
fled, poor dear"
"If you please, I would like to go
there, if you think they would see me.
God knows / did not do it, and He
knows that I would give this right arm,"
I said, bitterly, thrusting it up into the
air, ito have saved the poor GIRL but l
cannot rest easy; can never have an
easy heart until 1 have gone to them
and heard them say, with their own lips,
that they forgive me. You see," said,
sorrowfully, II didn't do it-of course
not-I didn't do it. Heaven knows how
hard l tried to stop up short. But-the
poor thing is dead. 1t is all over now ;
and it was 'Firefy' and I who did it.
So, if you please, if you wsuld be good
enough to go with me, would like to
go down to them and tell them, in such
words as can, how their sorrows mine,
and how completely my heart sympa-
thizes with them tonight"
was very stiff and sore, and it was
with some difficulty that walked across
the room, but he kindly gave me his
arm, and knew could manage to walk
down to the Dixon farm-only spare
mile, he said.
was putting on my hat in the hall,
and adjusting my arm in sling, prepar-
atory to starting, when the tramp of
many feet was heard on the piazza, and
the door was flung open. A man step
ped into the passageway, and held the
door open for those to enter who were
carrying the remains of some poor vic
tim upon a bier.
"Who is it 7" asked, softly, address,
ing him who had held wide the door.
"The girl" he whispered, as he raised
his hat.
All, poor creature! All could do for
her new was to bow my head reverent-
ly, as they bore her past me, while my
heart swelled with emotion, and in adj
miration of her noble conduct. They
laid her down gently, and then, taking
off their rough caps, waited silently for
further orders.