The Osceola times., 1877-08-25
OsCEOIA, ARKANSAS SATURDAY AUGUST 25, 1877.

suddenly 1t came upon her that 1t was
neither more nor less than murder that
she was waiting there to see---that in ly.
ing quiet while il was done she helped TO
do it.
"God forgive mel" said poor Maggie.
"Tll not do il; but what am l to do ?
How will stop themg It's my own
death I'll bring about nothing clse-"
And Just then the soud OF a steam
whistle far away caught the ear. The
train was coming.
Ready for theml" said the voice
she had heard before. "Come into the
bushes"
She heard them tramp away, and
arose to her feet and looked about her.
There was no house in sight and no
help near. Suddenly thought struck
her. She had matches in her pocket,
and her dress was thin calico---it
would burn like finder. In a moment
more she had tern it off and had the
matches in her hand. As she struck
a light she heard a pistol click.
"They see me-" she said, and held
the match against the old calico, and
as it caught aourished it over her head.
She felt bullet whiz by her shoulder,
another struck her, but now the glare
was bright, and the train was close at
hand---she rushed towards it, waving
her burning dress. Thank Godl they
saw her. The train slackened its pace
lit stopped. Men with lanterns in
their hands sprang from it and hurried
towards her. Aud the old dress, burnt
to tinder, dropped to the ground, and
che sank beside il, the bloed flowing
from wsund in her arm.
They've killed me, behave" she
said, family, rs a man bent over her.
81 can't show you the place, but it's
---beyant there---the rails---they've rip
ped them up, the villains!" Then she
tainted.
When she came to herself she was by
the roadside, and lights fell over her,
and she heard people talking of the
hairbreadth escape they had had and of
her bravery.
"You risked death TO save U.S." said
one woman. "Yon shall be rewarded.
My little children were with me-"
"And / am going to meet, my wife"
said gentleman. "She will not let me
forget you IL have 30 ungrateful
heart. You shall be well cared for now,
and when you are well you shall never
know want"
"Indeed, then said another voice.
one that sounded familiar TO her---'in.
deed, am not rich, but I'd have been
loath to he killed tonight. I'm just
on the road to what I've been seeking
two years / found out yesterday
where my missus is and Pa goin' TO
her-.-she's breakin' her heart for me. ]
haven't muca; but there's a couple O.
pounds If you'll take 'em good wo-
man, and Gods blessin', too, for the sake
of Maggie Ryan, that you've saved from
bein' widow"
Anda strong hand folded over her
weak one, and would have left money
in it, but she caught it tight.
'It's Pat Ryan," she cried; "come
back at last, Don't you know Maggie,
Pat?"
And two great arms folded her close
andItherspoor soul who had tramped the
road, desolate and forsaken, an hour
before, was happy as angels are in
heaven.
1t might not be great good luck"
to you TO be fiagman's wife, and live
in little cottage on. the roadside, but
Maggie thinks it.so.
"And oh, Pat" she often says, chow
little did think when Satan was in my
heart, and was willing TO lie still and
let happen what might to the heartless
gentlei0lk, ~hs. / was doing to myself
and TO you; and after all, it's kind
hearts they bad, and gave you the ILL
CANT place, and me the shanty, and the
COW, and all. Good luck to them"