Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-07-10
~TRANsIENT BILLs-oAsH.

upon her that il was neither more nor less
than murder that she was waiting there to see
--:hst in lying quiet while it was done she
helped to do IL.
God forgive me r. said poor Maggie. IN
not do it bus what am 10 do? How
will l stop them It's my own death IN
bring about nothing else li 0olsE sessf
And Just then the sousd of 4 steam whistle
far away caught her ear. The train was COM
ing, ....., -.
"Hsady for them," said voice she had
heard before. "Come into the bushes" 'si
81 She heard them tramp away, and arose %
her feet and looked about her. There was
no house In sight aud no help near. Sudden
ly 4 thought struck her. She had matches
10 her pocket, aud her dress was thin calico
lit would burn like finder. Ia moment
moro she had torn it of aud had the matches
in her hand. AS she struck light shs
heard pistol click. ~,
.'They see me-" she said, and hold the
match against the old calico, and as il caught
fourished it over her head. She felt the
bullet whix by her shoulder. another struck
her, but now the glars was bright. and the
train vas close at haud-she rushed toward
it waving her burning dress. Thank Godl
They saw her. The train slackened It's pace
lit stopped. Men with lanterns in their
hands sprang from it and hurried toward her.
And the old dress, burnt iEto finder. dropped
to the ground, aud she sank beside il, the
blood flowing from o wound in her arm.
"They've killed me, believe" she said.
as man bent over her. aa.s1se1f
81 can't show you the place, but its
beyond there-the rails-they'se ripped them
up. the Williams II Then she tainted.
When she came to herself she was by the
roadside, and lights fell over her. and shs
heard people talking Of the hair breadth e.
cape they had had. aud Of her bravery. ;s'a
.tYou risked death to rave US" said one
woman. "YOu shall be rewarded. Ny liuls
children were with me-" a1t
..Aud au going to NEE, my wife," said
gentleman. "She uill not let mo forget
you if have so grateful heart. You shall
be we'll cared for now. and when you arc welt
you shall never know n want"
"Indeed, then" said smother voice--ops
that sounded familiar to her-"Indeed. am
NOT rich. burihen I'd have been 10th TO hsss
been killed to>night. I'm on the road to
what I've been seekin' two years. ] found
out yesterday where my uiissus 10, and lin
goin' to hcr-she's breakin' her heart for
me; haven't much, bat there's q couple o
pounds If you'll take 'em, good woman. snd
God blessin' you, too, for the sake of Maggie
Ryan you've saved from beirg widow"
And n strong hand folded over her weak
one, and would have left money in ii, but she
caneht Il tight. ~sf +' sati'H
"It'sr Pat Ryan T' she cried. "coms back AZ
last. Don't you know Maggie. PATTI" r1isd
Aud two great arms folded her close and
the poor soul who had tratnped the road, des>
olate and forsakcD, an hour before, was as
happy as angels are in heaven. -
II might.pot be "grcat good luck" to be
fagman's wife. and live in little cottage on
the roadside, but Maggie thinks so. 81
"And oh, Pat, she often says. "how little
did think that when Satan was in my heart,
and was willing to lie still and let happen
what might to the heariless gentlefolks, what
vas doing to myself and you aud after all
its kind hearts they bad. and gave you the
Elegant place, aud me the shsnty. and tbs
COW and all Good luck to them"