The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-04-17
AN ANGELS VISIT.
pY HTLLIAM 3. RUsHNErr.

could stay at home tonight and take
care Of you and the babies, Jenny. And
would only for"
Ee thought of how much poverty
wa pinching them, and would not sad
den the hearts of those he loved by
mentioning it.
"OnIy for what, TomP" asked his
wife from the bed, where, i'll herself,
she was taking care of their two sick
children.
"Only that they'll be wanting me" he
replied. You know it is Christmas
eve, and we've gotten up an extra en-
tertainment."
"Yes, Tom, and sorry day for us,
now that I am sick, and the children
wanting medicine and" she would
have said food" but could not bear to
add feathers weight to his load" and
so much depends upon you"
al know" he replied, hastily brush
ing the moisture from his eyes and
striving to conceal his anxiety; 4" but I
am well and strong, Jenny, and the
winter is nearly over and you'll all be
well again.
"But if anything should happen to
your" she questioned, with heavy sigh.
"Don't think there is much danger"
he said, REFRESHING a sob as he thought
of how desperate would be their situa-
tion-of the rent due, the scanty store
Of provisions, the little of fuel remain
ing, the more-than month of hard win
ter yet before them, the needs of a
family that a poor man learns by the
most bitter of experience.
"But there is, dear Tom. No one is
ever safe living 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 I
have nothing to do in the latter part,
will be home early"
He stepped to the bedside, drew the
cover more closely about his wife and
children, kissed them, put more coal in
the stove, though every lump was as a
golden ducat to a Shylock in his then
situation, attended TO everything posi-
bic for their comfort, and prepared to
face the cold and go to his nightly en-
ployment. Yet an uncommon spell
seemed to chain him. He fingered,
fidgeted, glanced uneasily at the clock.
Isn't it time you were of, Tom?"
questioned his wife. "You know it is
quite walk"
eyes, Jenny, but somehow I don't
feel like leaving you alone"
"Oh, I am used to staying alone"
So she was, poor thingl "And you said
you would be home early"
'Yes, yes"
An active, sober man was he, and
skilled performer. He had been trained
to the profession from childhood-knew
no other, and, under ordinary circum-
stances, could easily keep his head
above water" But the "tenting season"
had closed exceptionally early, the win
ter was hard, money was tight" and
every place of amusement suffered In
consequence. To these things were
added sickness, and brave-hearted as he
was he could not suppress a shiver OF
anxiety as the future stared him in the
face.
He passed along the narrow street,
through more pretentious ones-passed
the houses of nillionaires, and entered
Broadway. That, at least, was brilliant
and gay, as if there was nothing of pow
erty or human suffering in the world
as if none III the great city were familiar
with hunger, and cold, and sickness
as if there never was to be any awaken
ing from a golden dream of luxury and
pleasure.
he murmured, bitterly, as he saw fur
clad forms, and pampered steeds, and
richly-mounted harness, and gilded
sleighs, and costly robes dash along,
show much We viii have to answer for
in the day of final reckoning, for neg
Letting your poor, toiling, suffering
brothers and sisters"
But no time had he to hnger-the
clock in a window told him that, and,
with a 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 tu-
mult-the drawing away of teams upon
either side, or dashing into cross streets
startled him, and he knew something
unusual was taking place. Then came
the shout of runaway runaway" AMI
he felt that life or property, or both,
were beng whirled on to destruction.
"Are you mad2 Do you want to be
killed." hurriedly asked many, as they
ran to places of safety, and he remained
standing upon the curb-stone.
= $40 uT1 iisa=afi IA Giisz 5v~rr,ir"
mad Draved 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 team of noble
bays that were tearing along. mad with
night, and surglng the sleigh from side
to side-were running at their utmost
speed, each striving to Guido the other,
straln1ng 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 particu-
laEly in sympathy with wealth. It was
quite another matter thet chained him.
At the first Outcry h, had sprung to
and half climbed a Ian 2-post, and so
obtained a clearer Yiew-one that
thrilled his heart to the very core,
caused his breath to be more deeply
drawn and his pulse to momentanly
cease to beat.
In the sleigh was young and beauti.
full woman, pale with terror, and clasp
ing two lovely children TO her breast
Orion thought of his Jenny and their
little ones, and resolved to save. The
impulse was noble, but how was It to be
accomplished? Far beyond any human
control were the frantic horses. To at
tempt to seize the .reins as they dashed
past, ana 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 directly upon him. and,
though the crowd furiously warned him
Oack and warned him of his danger, he
stirred not-onlY braced muscles and
nerves and set his teeth with determine
ton.
my Godi" exclaimed a man, who,
holder than the rest, sprung forward,
grappled and would have drawn him
away. "You viii be killed. instantly