The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-28

oign to the real SUI Ject, 1t belongs to it for
it became n matter of most heartrending
thoughts to us afterward. This question,
asked in joke, became a trightful fact
The woman was so overcome she could
scarcely continue, and her eyes turned
mute appeal for help toward her husband,
but he only shook his head mournfully,
making motion with his hand as if to bid
her speak on, looking into her eye loving
ly, MS if to cheer her.
"Well, the story we told at the time of
the accident was true in every particular up
to our arrival ut the railroad track There
it was n little different, and we hesitatcd in
giving the exact manner of the horrid occur
renee. We have never fully understood
ourselves why. 1t would have been better,
] think, if we had not made secret of this
weary shadow that has couded our lives
1t would have worn away, had we talked it
over with another person. That is why we
give you our confidence now, hoping al in
telligent, right-minded man like yourself
will advise and Judge if | erred.
at happened that as Anton and | led
father toward the track, | imagined heard
the locomotive, but could see nothing, as
a heavy log lay on the ground, and | sup
posed the monster was far, far away from
us, and the moments were precious. My
poor Thomas suffered terribly, saying his
foot was burning like caustic, and it was
only step and we would be, over, ard had
Thomas not had the misfortune to stumble,
we would have crossed safely.
"Ihey both lay in the middle of the road,
Anton to the right of me, Thomas to the
lett and in that instant their startled cry
and the shrielSing roar Of the iron monster
fell on my ear, and through the dense fog
saw his burning, greedy eye fastened on my
dear ones, while the frey sparks were
thiclSly scattered about, rs if he'll itself had
opened to devour them.
"Ohl if live thousand years the hor
rOr of that moment will remain, as | real
lied could save only ono of them. only
one
"Ahl sir, sir Human nature may be
suhicc; to million different distressing
henrtaches and mental struggles, but heap
them all into life time, it is nothing COM
pared to what | endured in few seconds.
have often wondered since how it was
possible the mind could comprehend so
much while subject to such intolerable suf-
ferings and fright, as now, thought after
thought flashed through my brain in so short
n time.
MY mother heart ycarned for my child,
and | leaned to grasp it, while the hand of
God himself seemed to hold me toward
Thomas. / thought, was he not thine be-
fore the child? Did you not swear at the
altar never to forsakc him? 1t seemed
then, as if | loved him best; he was more
useful on earth; then thought, oh horri-
bic, craven mother! TO desert your child !!
But the thing was upon us. | heard mems
voices warning through the mist. 1t was
as if they tired to stop it but failed. 1t cut
the darkness and rushed toward us With
one bound | turned from my child, grasped
for my husband, and, with the strength of a
giant, raised him of the track, turned, but
the awful monster had passed, leaving me
the crushed remains of my child"
She stopped short, as if suddenly frozen
in body and soul. Her husband trembled
in ever limb, clutching his beard as if it
could steady him | sat a speechless wit
ness of this fearful grief My sympathy
had no words; my eyes must have told them
how deeply | entered with them into this
touching history.
Thomas recovered himself first Going
to his wife, he tenderIy placed his arm
around her. She started with the magnetic
touch, looked up at him and then at me, as
if waiting for me to pass judgment.
l could only take her hand between my
own and say:
"Poor, poor mother! Noble woman !
Righteous wife ~
At this her eyes beamed as if suddenly
relieved of dark veil a flush of genuine
happiness covered her face the whole coun-
tenance of the woman changed from slug
gish horror to an incompatible relief.
Thomas stretched his hand toward me
his eyes flashing with joy his head erected
with manly pride, and for the first time in
years his broad, shining teeth appeared
through a smile again.
God reward your kind heart and good
words, sir" she cried ut seems as if we
dared to be happy once more"
She embraced her husband looking low
ingly up to him, and softly asked
do you think so, Thomas?"
"Just so, just so, wife He could
scarcely articulate the words for the emo
ton that conquered him now. Hot tears
fell on his Nife's hands and face; she, too,
sobbed and wept with him. They were the
first tears. None were shed during that
horrible time.
You see what il was that changed me
so, all these years, sir. The question con-
stantly appc red before me, Have you not
committed an objectionable sin against your
own flesh and bood?' | could find no rest
My peace was gone forever. and ! told
Thomas never again would dare become a
mother"
deep flush mantled her face, and she
paused, / thought here was the time to
advise and restore harmony to the dis
tes'eu i''ni'y' s",u reproac'lu'ly 10
NO e, gu "ppc'i ohy 10 '''iuH OF your
sei'' CIV ioUNyu "Sp'''''eu' anu ra'her
"'. 4.Wr lep''su
90 w., Or cur nu was ''iStraple 10 see me
80 pu., as ne couiu ho' help me, ne let me