The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1878-09-25

on a deeper saffron tint, if pos
sible.
That same evening Mrs. Nor
dant was promenading with hel
son, child Of four, and as heed
less as four-years-old's are, when
a runaway carriage came dashing
round the corner Of the main ave
nue.. The frcnzied horses feet
made the fire fly from the pave
ment. There was cry OF horror
when a sudden and awful hush
fell upon the spectators, who
turned their heads aside to avoid
witnessing what seemed ineVita'
bic. Oscar Mordant had with the
restiveness Of his age, darted
across the street. The crash OF
the flying horses hoofs frightened
him he paused, then turned, with
q cry, to his mother, who was
sprioging forward, when suddenly
she opened her eyes again, the
carriage was standing still, the
horses champed their bits angri-
ly, while at her feet nestled her
darling boy, not hair Of his curly
head harmed.
"Remarkable presence of mind"
said one:
sand such nerve=extraordlnary
nerve" said another.
"Then he must possess mar
ycllous strength to such a thing"
added a third.
"And he is as quick as light
ming"
"Tho bravest, coolest thing |
ever Witnessed"
AS the Widow Mordant listened
and lifted q hand to her temple.
the truth dawned upon her slowly
1t was to that ugly Captain Haw-
klns she owed the child's life.
A week later General Hooker
was attending the wedding Of the
daughter of an old-time friend.
The gallant general was the hero
of the hour. The Widow Nor.
dant was porring like a kitten
over her toilet, when she heard
voices below her window. The
window was open. Every word
rose to her distinct and clear.
Probably the fact that they were
uttered heartily enabled her to
hear the following:
"What! Ny dear old friend
Hawkins Here, Colonel Gar
diner, permit me to introduce
Captain Haw wkins, man who, as
much as any other, contributed
to our success at the Cape. How
you did plow them down with
your battery, Captain 1t was
fearful work"
"Never mind that, General. now .
began the voice Mrs. Mordant
now heard in her dreams.
:"The captain has one fault
said the general, she is modest tc
q degree. Now, for my part,
think modesty is very we'll in 8
woman, but I wager hundred tc
one nobody hereabouts knows the
captains record"
The widow had heard enough
Her husband, who laid down biz
life at the Cape, had frequently
y
alluded to a gala, biob.minder
ccclnmander Of a battery, and thi
was the hero-the man she never
deigned to look upon till b.
risked his life to save her sons.
The following day, as the cap
tain was sitting at the window
smoking, there was tap, a very
gentle tap, at his door.
"Come in," said the captain
But when be saw the beautiful
widow, his face became almost
coppery in color. II beg pardon
-I-really-"
She relieved him Immediately
by quietly seating herself.
"Captain Hawkins, l feel thai
1 ought TO thank you in person
for your action. One;can't trust
ones self to paper always. l in
tended calling when [ sent the
note. Now that it is off my mino
| feel relieved"
She laughed softly. The cap
tain ventured to look at her. He
had never contemplated such love
Iiness. The widow wisely re-
Trained from disconcerting him
but rising, bowed gracefully, and
walked off with the captains
heart as efectually in her keep