The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1877-08-09

where at hand, and though Maggie ieli
that the world was a poor place, she did
not feel ready to meet death yet.
IN just drop down in the grass some
where" said the poor woman. And
God between me and harm. IL / could
find bit of hay now, I would be com
fort"
She stretched forward, peering through
the darkness, and her foot struck some
loose branches that lay upon the ground.
with a cracking sound.
whats thatT said a voice very near
her, in a sharp whisper.
"It's an imp of a squirrel" said anoth-
er voice. Go on with your work, Jim
The train will be along in fifteen minutes.
Up with that rail III we'll have them
this time"
Hold your tongue. fool, said the first
voice. You're half drunk. tell you j
thought it was a step"
And now Maggie, who had sunk fiat
upon the ground knew all. Those who
whispered near her were train-Ereckers.
"I'll make no noise" said she. "Its
none OF my business"
But lying in. the grass. the sharp
strokes of steel on steel smote her heart;
she could not forget them. And sudden
ly il came upon her that il was neither
more nor less than murder that she was
waiting there to see-that in lying quiet
while il was done she heIped to do it.
God forgive me, said poor Maggie,
"Ill not do it; but what can | do2 How
will / stop them2 Its my own death /;
I'll bring about nothing else"-
And Just then the sound of a steam
whistle far away caught the ear. The
train was coming"
a. Fo- L1r - AAor
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 a thought struck her She
had matches in her pocket. and her dress
was q thin calico-it would burn like
tinder. In a moment more she bad torn
it off and had the matches in her hand.
As she struck a light she heard pistol
click.
"They see me-" she said, and held the
match against the old calico, and as il
caught fourished it over her head She
felt a bullet whiz by her shoulder, an
other struck her, but now the glare was
bright, and the train was close at hand
she rushed toward it, waving her burn
ing dress. Thank God they saw her.
The train slackened its pace-it stopped
Men with lanterns in their hands sprang
from it and hurried toward her. And
the old dress, burnt to a tinder. dropped
to the ground. and she sank beside it,
the blood flowing from a wound in her
arm.
They've killed me, behave" she said
family, as a man bent over her. 81 can't
show you the place, but its-beyand
there-the rails-they've ripped them up,
the villainsF Then she tainted.
When she came to herself she was by
the roadside, and the lights fell over her,
and she heard people talking of the hair
breadth escape they had had and of her
bravery.
You risked death to save us" said
one woman. You shall be rewarded.
Ny children were with me-"
And l am going to meet my wife"
said gentleman. "She will not let me
forget you if have so ungrateiul a 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 |
10th to be killed tonight. I'm just on |
the road to what I've been seeking for |
two years. / found out yesterday where |
my missus is, and I'm goin' to her-she,s |
breakin' her heart for me. / haven't /
much; but there's a couple o'pounds il
you'll take EN-, good woman. and Gods /
blessin, too, for the sake OF Maggie Ryan,
hat you've saved from bein' a widow"
And a strong hand folded over her |
weak one, and would have lett money in |
Il, but she caught il tight.
Its Pat Ryan, she cried; come
back at last. Don't you know Maggie,
PatP
And two great arms folded her close;
md the poor soul who had tramped the
road, desolate and forsaken, an hour be
lore, was happy as angels are in heaven.
1t might not be great good luck" to
you to be a fagman's wife. and live in
little cottage by the roadside. but Maggie
thinks il so.
And oh, Patl" she often says, "how
little did / think when Satan was in my /
heart, and | was willing to lie still and
et happen what might to the beartless
what | was doing to myself
md to you; and after all. it's kind hearts
hey had, and gave you the Elegant place.
and me the shanty and COW, and all Good
uck to them"