Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-11-08
Froih the Charlotte Observer.i ! ~,
A ROMA eE or THE RAkL-
IHE SINGULAR GA SEOF,
ID RUNA WArY,GIRL 80,

A case which has in it a geDu-
inc touch of romance, occurred
some nights ago on one Of the
principal railroads running into
Charlotte, and SO singular is il 10
all of it's details, that we venture
o, make it public, concealing
names and localities for reasons
which will become obvious to the
reader.i 1t was at AN early hour of
the morning. long before daylight,
onelof our railroads, had pulled ont
of the switch ct a small station,
coming toward Charlotte, and the
wind whistled sharply, through the
crevices in the Car windows us the
engineer "gave her steam" in Or
der to make his connection at
Charlotte. The conductor, as IL
his wont after leaving each sta
tion, had made a tour of his train
and examined each pla torn to see
if perchance tramp had climb up
to take ride and stepping out
upon the rear platform of the Sleep
ing Car, he discerned form
crouched npon the steps.
"What ale you doing there p
Come in here !" he demanded gruf-
fly, and he turned his lantern upon
the. almost nude fo,m of a fair
faced, slender girl of xteen, who
rose at the command and c6ufront.
ed the conductor, like Niobe, all
in fears." The heart of the cou-
ductor softened.
care you not Capt. --?"
the girl enquired sobbingly, and
receiving All Affirmative reply she
pleaded piteously, "Oh, captain |!
Spare me, spare me !"
He assured her that she should
not be harmed, ard then enqu;red
her name. Upon its being given
he was surprised to learn that it
was one with which he was famil-
lar and he asked for an explana-
tion of the gilrs strange conduct
where she was going, and
why she came in that scant dress.
Don't you see that l am run
ming away? am going to Char
lotte'to or work, and l didn't have
time to peS any clothes" When
asked how she expected to get
work or to go abont the streets
with only one garment upon her
body aud that thin one, her tears
flowed sfresh and her self-posses-
sion was entirely gone. The con-
ductor's sympathy had been won.
Long before this time he had
brought his strange guest within the
car, and commanding the porter to
bring a blanket the young girl was
wrapped in this, given a scat and
told by the conductor that he would
bring her Oh and then do for her
whatever hc could. He cudgelcd
his brain "a he took. mp his tickets,
and presently the ladies' Home and
Hospital i'll Charlotte occurred to
his mind. That Was the idea and
there, he determined, she should be
taken. He told the girl of his plan
and that there she wonlei be provided
tor; and arrived here, she readily
consented to be put in carriage,
wrapped in the blanket, and carried
to the conductor's home. He pre-
! scnted the modest, attractive crea-
ture to his wife and told her the
story. The lady, with heart as
kiEd as that of her hnsband, inter
esfed herself in the stray ones be
halt, and soon had her comfortably
and neatly clothed. Breakfast was
given her and all her temporary
wants supplied, and when the meal
was over she was conveyed to the
Home and Hospital, the story was
repeated to several of the lad d;cs
who are chief in the maintenance
of that bencticient institution, and
she was at once provided for.
The strange story caused exceed
ing interest to attach to her, and
before she had remained more than
3 or 4 days at her new.feund home,
there was found for her another
which can be permanent one if
she chooses so to make it. A lady
who was advised of the facts in the
case gladly took her in her family
and there she now remains, halt
companion, half housemaid, com
Portable and apparently happy.
The conductor in question has
since this time seen the step father
of his temporary charge and told
him Of her new surroundings. The
etep- father expressed hisrcgret that
the eirl should have fled her home,
which he said WIS -arhappy Ole, and
advised writing to her uncle who is
likewise her. guardian. The con.
ductor wrote accordingly, narrating
the same story which we have told
here, and has received a letter cx
preseivc of thanks and surprise.
This letter, which is now in the
hands of the ladies Aid Society OF
the Episcopal church, says that the
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