Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-05-27

nlghtful shrlek-WOmen's voices. The paSSen-
gers for the first time saw their danger.
1t was but point of time, yet it seemed like
an hour. The train did not abate its speed.
The man, short fellow of powerful build,
threw the strength of giant into his strain
ing muscles, his white face with its distendcd
eyes was close in front in the red glare of the
engine KIns, .,u. ii. ava, NJ
about JoevJoe was his little boy.
The train Jared with long serunching rasp,
and-stepped. They were saved.
Great God" prayed Hurst. flight squeak
for your life, lack, p" he said aloud, wetting his
lips with his tongue.
The people poured out of the train. They
went up to the car, some laughing, some
swearing. But every man there felt as if Death
had taken his soul into his hold for moment,
and then let it go.
Three stout men tried to move the car. They
could not do it.
"Who is that fellow!"
A workman on the road?'
"NO," said Hurst.
"Where is hea" asked several.
For he had vanished as if the earth had
swallowed him up.
GO He was a youngish, light complexioned
fellow" said lack. "Most likely Deutcher
from Walhalla."
whoever he may be, he saved our lives"
said director of the road. Il never saw
such desperate courage. l vote for testi-
mOuial.f
The American soul exults in testimonials,
and the SOutherner is free with his money.
There happened, too, to be delegation of
New York merchants on board, who valued
their lives at pretty figure. More than all,
there was a widow from California, the owner
of millions and of the pretty boy who had
looked out of the window. ale saved my
baby" she said with sob, as she took the pa
The testimonial grew suddenly into sum
which made Hurst wink with amazement when
he heard of it. "That fellow will be king I'm
Walhalla," he said.
It was near morning when Hans came home
He went to his room, said his prayers, and
slept heavily. The next morning the village
was on fire with excitement. The inn was full
of passengers from the train the story was in
everybody's mouth. The director of the road
had driven over from the station. When Hans
went down to the pasture that morning he saw
playcard stating the facts and the sum sub
scribed, and requesting the claimant to present
himself at the station that evening for identifi-
cation by Hurst.
Hans went on to the pasture. When he came
back and was at work in the garden he could
hear through the palings the people talking as
they went BY.
Gle win be the richest man in Walhalla."
" The director says the company will give
him situation for life. So they ought! ~
Nothing else was talked of. The contests of
yesterday and all the Flights into Egypt were
forgotten.
''Ah, how lucky that fellow ISL he heard his
mother say on the sidewalk. And there's
Heller! Some people are born to lnck ~ look
ing over the palings with bitter disappointment
| at Hans digging potatoes.
But blind Father Becht listened in silence.
He knew but one man in the world brave enough
for such deed Il give that lad my bless
ing ~ he said, striking his cane on the ground.
He, too, turned toward Hans digging pota-
toes.
"Heller is packing to be off to London"
somebody said. ''They say Vogel's pretty
daughter is to follow in the spring.
Hans stuck in bis spade and went to his
mother. 81 am going to salt the cattle on the
north mountain" he said
very well: He does not care to know who
this brave lad is" she said to his father He's
a good boy, but dull-dull. They say there
is woman from California at the inn. She
says she must see the man who saved her boys
life. She is rich and has her whims, no doubt"
Night came, but the man did not present
himself. The next day the director, who was
of a generous, impatient temper, offered a re-
ward to ANYBODY who could make him known.
1t was certain he had told nobody what he had
done, or they would have come forward for the
| reward The excitement grew with every hour.
Hans returned late in the next day. He went
to his spade and began to dig the rest of the
potatoes. His mother followed.
"Well," she exclaimed, she is not found!
The story is gone by telegraph to all parts of
| the country. Here are fame and riches wait
on lucky Sundays. There is Heller, the drunk
| en- beast, gone Oft to London. And you must
dig potatoes! There's no justice in heaven!"
She clicked away, knitting as she went.
Now l may, as well say here that although
this happened years ago, the missing man is
| not yet found. He is the mystery and pride of
all that region. The director put the money
out at compound interest, but it is yet I'M
claimed.
Concerning Hans, however, who digs his
potatoes in the same patch, we have something
more to tell. When he had finished digging
that morning he went into the house. The
stout fellow had lost his ruddy color, as though
boh o1 l,fo lx,cr fhrn oh or ~,
of body or soul. He sat on the kitchen steps
| and played soft air on his violin. The earth
he had been digging lay in moist, black heaps.
He liked the smell Of it, How like whisper
ing voice was the gurgle of the stream through
the roots of the sumachs Yonder was Peru
Wan tree, raising it's trunk and branches in
blood-red leaves against the still air; far beyond
were the solemn heights. He had just come
| from there. He knew how quiet it was yonder
near the sky-how friendly. All these things
came as he played, into the music and spoke
through it, and a great stiffness shone in his
eyes.
And at that moment-he never forgot il in
all his life-a woman's hand brushed his cheek
and a red rose came before his eyes.
"You did not come for the rose, so brought
it to you," said Christine.
Later in the morning they went to the well
together; all their neighbors were there and
| it was soon known they were betrothed. Ev-
erybody took Hans by the hand. He had never
guessed he had SO many friends. There is
no better fellow IN the WOrld, tney SAID TO one
another. He deserves luck"
'That is why L was impatient with you,"
whispered Christine. " / could not bear to see
that miserable Heller carry away all the praise
and the money!
"These are not the things in the world that
| count" said Hans, quietly.
Presently an open carriage drove through the
street.
''That is the lady who was in the train, the
people whispered. "That is her boy. She says
she will not go until she finds the man who
saved them"
The lady, smiling, held her baby up that it
might see the women. She was greatly amused
and interested by the quaint German village.
When the boy caught sight of Hans he laughed
and held out his hands. The mother nodded
kindly. 1.-The brave man who saved us also
wore workman's dress, am told" she said.
"My boy saw him as he passed"
Hans took the child in his arms for moment,
and kissed him. When he gave him back to
his mother his eyes were fun of tears. Then
the carriage drove on.
He stood at the door Of the home that was
SO dear to him. Christine held his hand, the
sun shone cheerfully about him.
ITO think" said his mother, that we are
not to know who that brave fellow was"
HE blind fat bar took HANS her hand SOFTLY