The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-11-07
SAVED By TWO MINUTES.

Joe was not half as good-looking.
but Jennie liked him great deal
better and, indeed, it was only some
times that. in q caprice, she tancied
she liked Mark Maldon at all
Joe Thurs;on was the driver and
Mark Maidon the fireman of freight
train No. SO. which stopped regular
liz all tie year round at Redwood
Station to let lightning express No
20 pass.
No. 90 whis.led at 1885 P NJ,
Invariably ; at IL Joe had Jennie in
bis arms. kissing her almost TO death
This was of course, after they were
married
Jennie lived in the only house, aud
kept the only store there was at Red
wood, aud all the company she had
after dark was her old grandmother
and the little dog-at least, till the
train arrived, aud then Joe and Mark
made their appearance.
Thus the eouTting was done.
Somehow, although each Of Jennie's
lovers kept sharp eye on the 9th
er. vet both found opportunities to
propose. Size accepted Joe, and
when she informed Mark next night
what she bad done. be turned pale.
aud hen congratulated her, aad
when be got aboard Of his engine be
was unsober.
IL was the beginning Of his ruin f;
and on the night Jennie and Joe were
married-wbich was but a brief GER
emony. as Joe was pressed for time
Mark Maldon was not in condition to
take bis place on the train, and on
the day following the company dis
pensed With bis future services.
From that time Mark, as The ex-
preston is, went 10 the bad His
iirle savings be proceeded rapidly TO
drink up, and this dissipation made
the usual changes, and soon, in ap-
pearance, manners and speech, aud
the rest, be was different man.
Sometimes he dropped into the
little shop, and aore than once ,Ien-
ME spoke to him in reproof, but with
gentieness; and II was only whom
she perceived that those well-meant
reproaehes made him a great deal
worse that she ceased to offer them.
1t is a terrible sight to see a hu-
man being sinking in the dark and
dreadful pool in this way; but down,
down he went, and no mortal hand
could save him.
| don't know when or how it was,
but bv impercepiible degrees Jennie
grew afraid of Marx Maldron. He
had never uttered one word OF love
TO her after her marriage, nor bad be
seemed TO like her husband the less;
but somehow whenever she saw
Marks white and swollen face com
ing in at the door, or beheld in the
distant woods bis bent and furiive
figure gliding softly over the broken
twigs and dry grass like ghost. her
heart felt o nervous paDg, and she
wished be would go away to live
somewhe else or-wss it wicked
that be might even die and be at
rest.
Matters went On much as usual till
one evening in October, when, about
10 O'Clock, looking up from her sew
ing, Jennie beheld paid face at the
window staring at her intenily.
Something jumped into her throat,
and she could not stir or speak But
then tie face went away, ano pres
emily the door opened and Mark
came into the shop.
Didn't you know me ?'' be said,
advancing and leaning across the
counter. a hope you are not
frightened, Jennie. Ii was thought
lees of NE but | just wanted to peep
al 6reside comfort, a happiness ! fear
| have missed, eh? You look so CO.
Nv and con,ented sitting there, and I'd
give something handsome to have a
pretty wife waiting al the hearth for
me; and really you mustn't mind my
eavesdroppiDg, Jennie. will you p
There was something mournful 10
bis looks. voice and words tha, touch
ed ber deeply; and this was :be
more noticeable from the fact that sor
once be was entirely sober.
~Yes, Mark, you frightened nae
terribly but it's gone now. Why
don't ; on do better-you know what
| mean-and | am sure yoL will not
6Dd it bard to get the pretty wife
and domestic happiness both"
He shook his head.
"Too late I've missed my Zip. ]
don't blame any body, though-only
nv luck you know Joe is due pref
ty soon now, isn't be 7" He glanc.
ed at the clock and nodded, and then
said: "I've felt awfully tired AID
cold ali the evening. and-and lone
some. l don't believe / ever knew
myself to he so lonely before and
he laughed in melancholy way,
hddilpg al tne sam tiuie Win tbe
scales on the counter. And | de-
clare.r he went on oddly, this is
such pretty scene, that tit makes
nv heart ache, Jennie. to think
have no share 10 IT, The pleasant
glow of the chimney corner for Joe,
and the cold snow for Mark. Such
is fate, and fellow cughtn'tto com
plain, ought beg"
Jennie never felt SO uncomfortable
in her life. She was not afraid CT
him any longer but she wished be
would gc.-Still be stood there,
talking 10 the same melancholy 1
stra n, and at length came tie sbrill
scream Of The engines whistle out
r..