The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-12-28
TOM oRToN.

= SGFA 0AVh SANs
Broadway, brilliant end gay, as if
there were nothing of poverty or human
suffering in the world-as if none in the
great city we're familiar with hunger and
sickness {; as if-theIe we're never to be
any awakening from golden dream of
luxury and pleasure.
''Ah, thoughtless wealth and fashion /"
murmured Tom Orton, bitterly, as he
saw fur clad forms, and pampered steeds,
and richly mounted harness, and gilded
sleiehs, and costly robes dash along
How much you will have to answer for
in the day of final reckoning, for neg
lect;ng your poor, toiling, suffering
brothers and sislers!''
Suddenly confused cry, wild tu-
mutt, the drawing away OF teams on
either side, or dashing into side streets,
startled him and be knew something un.
usual was taking place. Then came the
shout of Runaway! runaway" and he
felt that life or property, or both, were
being whirled on to destruction.
Are you mad ?" asked many, as they
ran to place of safety, and he standing
upon the curbstone.
He gave no heed to the warning he
had braved death far too often to shrink
from 1t In any event, and most certainly
when at such distance. His eyes were
fixrd up street on team of noble bays
that we're tearing along, mad with fright
ana surging the sleigh from side 10 side
running at their utmost speed. each
striving to Guido the other, straining
every nerve-running away driverless.
Had that been AL be, would not have
troubled himself, deep as was his afec-
ton for Hooded steeds,. for he was not
at that moment particularly in sympathy
With wealth. 1t was quite another mat
ter that chained him.
At the first outcry he bad sprung to
and half climbed lamp-post; and so
obtained clearer view-one that thrill
ed his heart to the very core, caused his
breath to be more deeply drawn, and his
pulse almost to case to beat
In the sleigh was young and beau.
tiful woman, pale with terror, and clasp
ing two children to her breast. Orion
thought of his Jenny and their little
enes, and resolved to save them. The
impulse was noble, hut how was it to be
accomplished Far beyond any human
control were the frantic horses. To al
tempt to seize the reins as they dashed
past would be madness. He saw this
saw that the course of the horses would
bring them directly upon him, and,
though the crowd furiously warned him
of bis danger, he stirred not-only
braced muscles and nerves, and set his
teeth with determination
"Mv Godr exclaimed man, who,
bolder than the rest, sprang forward and
would have drawn him away. "You
will be instantly killed.
Tom Orion shook him of just as the
horses reached him, watched his oppor-
tupity, seized upon the harness as they
were sweeping past, sprung lightly upon
the back Of the Aearest shorse, grasping
the reins auds turning to the atTightedE
woman and screaming children, shout
ed:
sKecp quiet! l will save yon!"
And save them be did. Before block
had been traversed the horses we're
made tn realize that he was their mas
ter, and the sharp curb cutting deeply
into their mouths brought them to q
standstill.
The crowd cheered lustilv-the police
assisted the women and children ont and
carried them to neighboring store,
and, as soon as the former had in a.
measure recovered her senses, she asked
for her prcserver, that che might thank
and reward him But he was not to be
found All that could be learned WAS,
that as soon as the trembling steeds had
been taken charge of by others he had
disappeared.
"Who could it have been 2" question
ed the lady, with still CHASTITY face and
bloodless lips. =
"Cannot say" answered policeman,
.'bnt he was 4 brave fellow, anyhow
I would not have taken the risk he did
for thousands
"A brave fellow, indeed" was The re-
sponse, "and l would give very much
to know his name and where he is to be
found"
Bat the lady departed without obtain
ing the desired information, and the
sensitiveness of Tom Orton caused him
to lose the one opportunity of his life
to have risen above iron-handed power
lty.
Meanvhile he was hurrying to bust
ness, more time had been occupied in
the rescue than he thought possible. and
though applause was dear to him (as to
all), yet be could not stay to listen, and
as Tor risking his life for money, he had
not even dreamed Of such q thing
| Out of breath he dashed into the
dressing.room, and was received with
|reproof for being late.
eCould not help it," he replied; ~
saw pair of fiery. horses running away,
with sleigh and woman and two
children; thought of my Jenny and
child en-, and had to stop 10 save them y
| He told his story very briefly and
modes,ly while getting ready. and soon
was dashins down the arena upon u
spirited s,eed, "charging the world with
wondrous horsemanship."
The audience applauded to the echo.
and, carried away by the excitement, he
rashly determined to execute his most
daring acts, forgetting that the horse be
rode had not been trained to !hem-was
young and wild.
The result was soon plainly apparen t
Though some were accomplished in
safety, yet, when be attempted leaping
over q banner. the futterinp frightened