Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-08-14
gaI's arD gketebes.
A RAILROAD SMASH


Whoever has travelled much or little by
railroad knows how the faces of his fellow
travellers interest him, how in the absence
of anything else to occupy his mind, be
will study them, trying to imagine the
character anc history of its owner. Such
was the case Of Charley Reymart, who was
on his way to Chicago from New York.
In the next seat in front of him sat 4 girl
whose beaut, would have attracted his
attention anywhere but here he studied
her youthful perfect features, her dark,
luminous eyes, her golden brown hair, and
her perfectly round neck and shoulders
until she seemed perfection to his
enraptured vision. Drinking in visually
all these things he fell into kind of day
dream, Of which the fair creature was the
heroine, and matrimony the climax.
Suddenly he was aroused from his revery
by screeth Of the locomotive whistle, a
terrible crash, and a sensation of being
thrown vioently forward into the debris of
the smashed car. AS soon as he had re-
covered from the first shock, he realized
his position. A violent collision had piled
the train il confused mass, and he WAS
buried beneath it. 1t was dark, and as he
| felt about with his hands he found that he
was, although uninjured and able to move
a little, completely wedged in by the wreck
of car. His hand, in cropping, came in
contact with another hand, and as it clasp
ed his in its trembling, sacred grasp, he
knew it to be the soft, small hand of wo-
man. 1t clung to his tenaciously, as if its
owner felt safely in the contact.
Are you hurt p asked Reymart.
No, sir, think not. At least l feel no
pain.'
The voice was low and sweet, although
its tone attested her agony of fright.
Can you move your body freely p ques-
toned Reymart.
Yes she replied, but have no space
to move in much. Do you think we'll eve
get out alive p
Almost certainly so, he said with an
assurance Of unconcern tho ne scarcely
felt. 1T may require so-.e little time for
them TO remove the ~feck, but think we
have little dancc-to fear, having escaped
the frs, sbo~s Of the collision. Have you
any .panions on the train p
No, am alone
The thought that she was the beautiful
girl who had occupied the seat in front of
him made his heart bound, inasmuch as
the soft hand that clasped his had been
joined BY its mate, and both clung with
nervous pressure that made his blood tingle,
even amidst the surroundings.
Already the sound of vigorously applied
axes began to mingle with the groans of
the less fortunate passengers, and Reymart
knew that the wreck was being removed as
rapidly as possible. Yet it seemed an age
before they drew near his vicinity. He
shouted to them, and they worked slowly
in his direction. After awhile q ray of
light streamed in, and fell up the face of
his companion. His conjecture was cor
rect-he saw the admired features of the
beautiful passenger.
A few minutes later and they were both
lifted out uninjured, save by q few scratches
and bruises.
Reymart led his fair companion to sta
ton which was but few rods distant from
the scene of.the accident, and found her as
comfortable seat as possible. The other
rooms were half filled with wounded, and a
train was momentarily expected to convey
them to the nearest city, which was Buffalo.
Very soon it came.
Il presume we had better take this train, }
said Reymart.
If you think best replied the lady.
He was fa.tered by her Difference to his
Judgment, and politely escorted her to a
seat in the train.
4 suppose it would be useless to attempt
to learn the safety of your baggage he
said, when they were seated.
Il had none,' she said my journey was
not very long one. live in Cleveland,
and have been on days visit to some re-
latives.'
And my baggage he added, laughing,
is not bulky, although tolerably valuable.
/ carry it all in my breast pocket, and it
consists of several thousand dollars in bills,
which was taking to Chicago
The ride to Buffalo was not long, and
the strangely introduced pair talked glidly.
Before they had reached that city, Reymart
had been informed by his fair companion
that her name was Lydia Mapleson, and
that her father was clergyman in Cleve-
land. In conversation her delicate beauty
was lighted up with the radiance of intelli-
gence and he was entranced under the
spell of her presence-by the casual touch
Of her hand-the pure, warm breath that
fell upon his cheek.
The train had been sent especially to
bring the passengers off the wrecked train,
and went no further than Buffalo. They
could 60 no further before morning, and
the railroad officials had them conveyed to
hotel.
Good night said Reymart, as he press
ed the girls hand, as they parted in the