The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-09-17
HOYT g. CO., Proprietors.
A RAILROAD SMASH.

A RAILROAD SMASH.
Whoever has travelled much or little by rail-
~oad knows how the faces of his fellow travel
ers interest him, how in the absence of any
thing to occupy his mind he will study them,
irving to imagine the character and history of
its owner Such was the case with Charley
Reymart, who was on his way to Chicago from
New York. In the next seat in front of his sat
q girl whose beauty would have attracted his
attention anywhere; but here he studied her
youthful, perfect features, her dark, luminous
ewes, her golden brown hair, and her perfectly
rounded neck and shoulders until she seemed
perfection to his enraptured vision. Drinking
in usually 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
q screech of the locomotive whistle, terrible
crash. and sensation of being violently thrown
forward into the debris of the smashed car. AS
soon as he had recovered from the first shock,
he realized the position. A violent collision
had piled the train in 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 the car.
His hand, in grouping came in contact with
another hand, and as it clasped his in its trem-
bling scared grasp, he knew it to be the soft
small hand of q woman. 1t clung to his te-
nacously, as if its owner felt safety in the con-
tact.
care you hurt?" asked Reymart.
sNo, I think not At least feel no pain"
The voice was low aud sweet, although its
tone attested her agony of fright.
""Can you move your body freely z" ques-
dyes" She replied, s'but have no space to
move in much. Do you think we'll ever get
out alive?"
sAlmost certainly so," he said, with an as
surance of unconcern that he scarcely felt. 1T
NAV require some time for them to remove the
wreck. but think we have little danger to
fear, having escaped the first shock of collision.
Have you any companions on the train 2"
"No, am alone"
The thought that she was the beautiful girl
who had occupied the seat in front of him made
his heart bound, iusomuch as the soft little
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
as possible. Yet it seemed all age before they
drew near his vicinity. He shouted to them,
and they worked slowly in his direction. After
a while ray of light streamed in, and fell
upon the face of his companion. His conJec-
ture was corrcct-he saw the admired features
of the beautiful passenger.
A few minutes later and they were both lifted
out uninjured, save by few unlmportant
scratches and bruises.
Reymart led his fair companion to station,
which was but few yards distant from the
scene of the accident, and found her as COM
Portable 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.
"I presume we had better take this train"
said Reymart
IF YOU think BEST" replied the lady.
He was hattered by her Difference to his
Judgment. and politely escorted her to seat in
the train.
"I suppose it would be useless to attempt to
learn the safety of your baggage" he said,
when they were seated.
II had none," she said "my journey was
not a very long one. live in Cleveland, and
have been on a days visit to some relatives"
"And my baggage" he added, laughingly,
"is not bulky, although tolerable valuable. l
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 glibly. Be-
fore they reached that city Reymart had been
informed by his fair companion that her name
was Lydia Mapleson, and that her father was
clergyman in Cleveland. In conversation her
delicate beauty was lighted up with the radl-
ance of intelligence, and he was entranced un-
der the spell Of her presence-by the casual
touch of her hand-by the pure warm breath
that fell upon his cheek.
The train had been sent especially to bring
the passengers of the wrecked train, and it
went NO further than Buffalo. They could go
no further before morning, and the railroad
officials had them conveyed to hotel.
"Good night" said Reymart, as he pressed
the girls hand as they parted in the hotel par
lor; "it is now 10 o'clock, and we are to take
an early train in the morning. l hope to see you
fully recovered from the effects of the excite
ment of the accident when we meet at break
fast"
"Good night" she replied, "and many thanks
for your kindness"
Reymart went to bed and tried to sleep; but
for long time was unsuccessful. His mind
was full of Miss Maplesou, and when he did
fall asleep it was only to dream of her.
And how was it with Miss Mapleson? She
went to her room, and without undressing laid
down on the bed. She was soon asleep, and
soundly so, to all appearances, until daylight
Then she awoke with start, rubbed her eyes,
sat up in bed, and looked at her watch. Just
then there was rap at the door, and waiter
informed her that passengers for the early
Western train must get up for breakfast. Miss
Mapleson arose, smoothed out her travelling
dress, washed her face and hands, dressed her
hair, and looked lovelier than ever with the
flush of early rising. She met Reymart at the
- orI how gpQfS