Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-08-07
CHE Story Trller.
RISkING HIS LIFE.

lOy, grum0leu lOm OTIol us He looheo oo'
of the window upon the snow.cumbereo
streets. "How wish could be at home to
night and take care of you and the babies
jenny. And would, only for
He thought how much poverty was pinch
ing them, and would not sadden the hearts Of
those he loved by mentioning it.
"Only that they'll be wanting me" he re,
piled. "You know it is Christmas Eve, and
we've COTTON up an extra entertainment.
Eyes, Tom; and sorry day for US, now
that I am sick, and the children wanting
medicine and" she would have said stood,
but could not bear to add a feathers weight
to his load-"so much depends upon you.
81 know" he replied, hastily brushing the
moisture from his eyes and striving to con
ceai his anxiety; "but I'm we'll and strong
Jenny, and the winter is nearly over, and
you'll be well again" %,
"Bat if anything should happen to you 2
she questioned, with a heavy sigh.
"Dont think there is much danger, ne
said, repressing sob as he thought how des-
perate would be their situation-of the rent
due, the scanty store of provisions, the little
of fuel remaining, the more than month OF
hard winter yet before them, the needs OF
family that a poor man learns by the most
bitter experience.
"But there is, dear Tom. No one is ever
safe leading the life you do There are so
many chances for accident.
"Don't fear. I'll take care of myself
won't run any extra risk ; and as | have moth
ing to do in the latter part, will be home
early"
He stepped to the bedside; drew the COZ.
ers more closely about his wife and children,
kissed them, put more coal on the stove, at
tended to everything possible for their com
fort, and prepared to face the cold and 60 to
his nightly employment. Yet an uncom.
mon spell seemed to charm him. He linger-
ed, fdgeted, and glanced uneasily at the clock.
'sIsn't it time you were off, Tom p question
ed his wife. "You know it is quite late"
ayes, Jenny, but somehow l don't feel like
leaving you alone
ooh 1 am used to staying alone" So she
was, poor thing. "And you said you'd be
home early
ayes, yes" .
An active, sober man was he, and skill
ed performer. He had been trained to the
profession from childhood-knew no other,
and under ordinary circumstances could easi-
" keep his head above water But the
'tenting" season" had closed exceptionally
early, the winter was hard, money was "tight,"
and every place of amusement suffered IN
consequence. 70 these were added sickness,
and brave hearted as he was, he could not
suppress shiver Of anxiety as the near fu-
ture stared him in the face.
He passed along the narrow street, through
more pretentious ones-passed the houses OF
millionaires and entered Broadway. That,
at least, was brilliant and gay, as if there
was nothing of poverty or human suffering
in the word-as if none in the great city
were familiar with hunger and cold, and
sickness =! ttrc-ueves was to be any
awakening from golden dream of luxury
and pleasure.
"Ah! thoughtless wealth and fashion," he
murmured, bitterly, as he saw fur clad forms,
and pampered steeds, richly-mounted harness,
and gilded sleighs, and costly robes dash
along, show much will ye have to answer
for in the day of final reckoning, for neglect
ing your poor, toiling, suffering brothers and
sisters?'
But no time had he to linger-the clock in
the window told him that, and, with sigh
that his wife and little ones should not have
their quota of the good things of this world,
he PASSED on.
Suddenly confused cry-a wild tumult-
the drawing away of teams on either side, or
dashing into the cross streets startled HIM,
and he knew something unusual was taking
place. Then came the shout Of RUNAWAY y
and he felt that life or property or both were
being whirled on to destruction.
care you mad Do you want to be kill
ed?" hurriedly asked several, as they ran to
places. of safety and he remained standing
upon the curbstone
He gave no heed to the warning. He had
braved death too often to shrink from 1t IN
any event, and most certainly when at such
distance His eyes were fixed up the street
upon team of noble bays that were tearing
along, mad with fright, and swaying 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 sprang to and
half climbed lamp post, and so obtained a
clearer view-one that thrilled his heart to
the very core, caused his breath to be more
deeply drawn, and his pulse to momentarlly
cease to beat.
In the sleigh was a young and beautiful
woman, pale with terror, and clasping two
l,,yolx, chi ld ran tn har hreast Orion thOupht
of his Jenny and their little ones, and resov-
ed to save them. The impulse was noble,
but how was it to be accomplished? Far
beyond any human control were frantic
horses To attempt to seize the reins as they
dashed past, and to stop them would be mad.
ness-would be to be dragged down and
trampled to death He saw this-saw that
the course of the horses would bring them di-
rectly upon him, and though the crowd furi-
ously warned him back, and warned him of
his danger, he stirred not, only braced mus
cles and nerves, and set his teeth with deter
mination.
"My, Godw exclaimed man, who holder
than the rest, sprang forward, grappled and
would have drawn him away. "You will be
killed instantly killed!'
Tom Orton shook him off just as the hor-
ses reached him, watched his opportunity, seiz-
ed upon the harness as they were sweeping
past, sprang lightly upon the back Of the
nearest, grasped the rein, and turning to the
affrighted woman and screaming children,
shouted:
"Keep quiet. I will save you"
And save them he did. Before a block
had been trayersed the horses we're made to