Smyrna times., 1878-08-14
have their quota of good things of thi

him and he knew something unusual was I
taking place. Then came the shout of
RUNAWAY run-awayl and he felt that I
life or property, or both were being whirled !
on to destruction.
care you mad? Do you want to be 1
killed?" hurriedly asked many, as they ran
to places of safety, and he remained stand
ing upon the curb-stone.
He gave no heed to the warning, He
had braved death far too often to shrink
from it in any event, and most certainly
when at such a distance. His eyes were
fixed up the street upon a team of noble
bays that were tearing along, mad with
fright, and surging the sleigh from side to
side-were running at their utmost speed,
each striving to outdo the other, straining
every nerve-were running away driverless.
Had that been all he would not have
troubled himself, deep as was his affection
for blooded steeds, for he was not at the
moment particularly in sympathy with
wealth. 1t was quite another matter that |
chained him.
At the first outcry he had sprung to and
had half climbed q lamp.post, and so OBJ
tanned clearer view-one that thrilled his |
heart to the very core, caused his breath to
be more deeply drawn and his pulse to |
momentarily cease to beat.
woman, pale with terror, and clasping two
lovely children to her breast. Orton
thought of his Jenny and their little ones
and resolved to save them. The impulse
was noble, but how was it to be accom-.
plished? Far beyond any human control
were the frantic horses. To attempt to
seize the rains as they dashed past, and to
stop them would be madness-would be to
| be dragged down and trampled to death.
He saw this-saw that the course of the
horses would bring them directly upon
him, and though the crowd furiously
warned him of his danger, he stirred not,
only braced his muscles and nerves and set
his teeth with determination.
"My Godr' exclaimed a man, who,
bolder than the rest, sprang forward, crap
pied and would have drawn him away.
" You will be killed instantly killed !"
Tom Orton shook him off just as the
horses reached him, watched his opportu.
nifty, seized upon the harness as they were
sweeping past, sprang lightly upon the
back Of the nearest grasped the reins and
turning to the affrighted woman and
screaming children, shouted:
keep quiet. l will save you"
And save them he did. Before q block
had been traversed the horses were made
to realize that he was their master, and the
sharp curb cutting deeply into their mouths
brought them to a stand-still.
r The crowd cheered lustily-the police
, assisted the woman and children out and
: carried them to neighboring store, and
/ as soon as the former had in q measure re-
i covered her senses, she asked for her pre-
: server that she might thank and reward
him. But he was not to be found. All
S that could be learned was that as soon as
e the trembling steeds had been taken charge
i. of by others he had disappeared.
e "Who could it have been?" questioned
S the lady, with still CHASTITY face and blood
less lips.
e Can't say" answered policeman, con
}, stituting himself spokesman, "but he was
l. a brave fellow, anyhow. | wouldn't have
taken the risk he did for thousands"
v "a brave fellow, indeed, was the re
g sponse, "and l would give very much t.
o know his name and where he is to b.
o found"
So would the policeman, that something
G of the glory might attach to himself. Blu
o the lady departed homeward without OF
d tanning the desired information, and tn
er sensitiveness of Tom Orton caused him t
lose the opportunity of his life to hav
10 risen above ron-handed poverty.
Meanwhile he was hurrying to business
he more time had been occupied in the rescu
w than he thought possible, and though al
ne plause was dear to him las to ally, yet b
he could not stay to listen, and as risking h
a life for money, he had not even dreame
ne of such thing.
ms Out of breath he dashed into the dres
ingroom, and was received with repro
is for being late.
re Couldn't help it" he replied; 81 saw
pair of fiery horses running away with
= sleigh and a woman and two children
We thought of my Jenny and children, al
be had to stop and save them"
He told the story very briefly and mo
he estly while getting ready; didn't seem
nd fancy he had done anything wonderfU
en- upon spirited steed, "witching the wor
at with wondrous horsemanship."
cir The audience applauded to the echo al
nd carried away by the excitement, he rash
ln- determined to execute his most daring az
He those given only upon the greatest ocC
at sions, forgetting that the horse he rode b
not been trained to them-was young a
lp wild.
is The result was soon painfully appare
Though some were accomplished in safe
EEL yet when he attempted leaping over b'
ner the futtering frightened the horse,
bolted suddenly, and Tom Orton was hurl
AID heavily to the ground.
He endeavored to rise and make light
pain, but strange sickness came o.
kill him, the light fickered, and grew dim,
to gasped for air, and knew nothing M
no until somewhat revived in the dress
ices room he heard familiar voices.
er." 40 God what shall become of Jer
ex- and the babies" he gasped, family?
ard, am done for, and-and-" his tears g
of sobs choked him.
To "Don't fear for them, Tom," said do
and hearty voices, and as many grasped
sup hands as could obtain hold, swell see t
lure you are taken care Of"
Many senselessly and causelessly C
'eet, denim the ring and the stage, but in
the law of want and suffering their hei
oad- shine upon the surface, and such cha
y as is shown that none upon the earth
man brighter. All if all humanity was tru
the the brother and sisterhood, whose j
and are given for the amusement and inst
IS to ton of others, there would be far les
m of trial and suffering in the world. 1t
charity that lasts beyond even the
on" scenes at the "Little Church Around
clad Corner" and is blessed by widow
chly- orphan.
and hThanks, thanks" murmured the
! ye iured man. But tell me the worst"
final "a broken leg is all that appears
ling, ous," answers gray-headed mai
strange physician who had been summo
slock although cannot account for the m
sigh upon your side, my man."
not "Probably he hurt himself when