Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1878-12-05


in fifteen minutes. Up with the
rails, Hill Wen have them this
time.n
Hold your tongue, you fool, "
said the hrst w ice. "Ynu're half
drunk; tell you I Thought it was
step"
Aud now Maggie, who had sunk
fiat upon the grouud, knew all.
TnoSe who whispered near her were
train wreckers.
"I'll make no noise" said she,
Its none of my busint ss."
But lying in the grass the sharp
strokes of steel suote her ears she
could not forget them. And sud
denly it came upon her that it was
neither more nor less than murder
that she was waiting there to see -
that in lying quiet while it was be-
ing done she was helping to do it.
''God forgive me I" said poor
Maggie, "I'n not do it but what
AIN to do ? How will | stop
them It's my own death {; III
bring about nothing else -"
Aud just then the sound OF o
steam whistle far away caught her
ear. The train was coming.
"Ready for them" said the voice
she had heard before. Come into
these bushes."
She heard then tramp away, and
arose 10 her feet and looked about
her. Sle had matches in her peck
ct, aud her dress WAS thin calico
it would burn like tinder. In
moment more she htd torn it off,
and had match in her hand. As
she struck the match she heard II
pis tol click.
They see me-" she said, and
held the match against the old cali
CO. and as it caught fl'urishei 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 toward it, waving her
burning dress. Thank GID they
saw her. The train slackened it's
pace-then stopped. Men with
lanterns sprang from it, and hurried
towards .er. The old dress burned
to finder, dropped to the ground,
and she sank beside i, the biool
flowing from a wound in her arm.
They've killed me, believe"
she said, family, as man bent over
her. II can't show YOU the place,
but it's beyant there-the rail'5-
they've ripped then up, the viii
lains Then she tainted from loss
of blood.
When she came to herself she
was hy the roadside, and lights fell
over her, and she heard pen pie talk
ing of the hairDreadth escape they
had had. and of her bravery.
You risked death ~ save u.s."
said one woman. "And you shall
be rewarded. My little children
were with me-"
And am going to meet my
Wife" said a gentleman. "Sle
will not let me forget you if have
So ungratrful a heart. You shall
be we'll cared for now, aud when
you are well, you shall never know
d want.''
Indeed, then," said acother
voice-one that sounded familiar ~
her-''indeed I'm not rich, but I'd
have been lOath To be killed tO-niEht.
I'm just on the road to what I've
been seeking two years. l found
out yesterday where my missus is,
and Pm goin' To her-She's hreakin'
her heart Cor me. l haven't much
bnt there's couple o. pounds, if
you'll take 'en, coed woman, and
Gods blessing, too, for the sake of
Maggie RYAN, that you've saved
from bein' a widow"
And a strong hand folded over
her weak one. ard would have left
money in it, but s. e caught it tight.
ITS Pat Ryar," she cried come
back at last. DON'T you know Mag
gle, Pat 2"
And two great strong arms fold
ed her close. and the po )r soul who
had tranped the road desolate and
forsaken an hour before was happy
as angels in heaven.
Ii might not be great good luck"
to be flagman'S wife, and live in
little cottage on the road side, but
Maggie thinks it is so.
"And oh, Pat" she often says,
show little Gid l think when Satan
was in my heart, and / was willing
to lie still, and let happen what
might to the heartless gentle, what
L was doing TO myself and to you 4;
and after all, it's kind hearts they
had, and gave yOu the iI1igent place,
and me the shanty, and the COW and
all. Good luck 10 them"