South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-05-14

had ever dode In my life-not rs before.
for so.called goodwill and good fellow
ship, but 70 drown memory.
Il did mot 10 near Mary for month.
To me It seemed . year. Ouce, after a
nights caroasal, passed her on the
street; but not until long AFTER did
learn Of tho bitter tears nv hagyarl
face and dissipated air hai cost her
Finally, my better nature triumphed,
and went 70 her, repentant, to ask her
forgiveness, and perhaps her love. /.
On long, lonely night ride 1 made
up my mind TO do this. though like a
thousand mocking devils, memories OF
the moments had spent in the last few
weeks crowded around me, IS though
haunting me In contrast to her purity
but with Gods help would make my
self worthy, said aloud, and thought
the hours would never drag along until
l could lind myself once more in her
presence. She came in to see me, hold.
ing out hcr hand with sweet smile al
welcome. as though we had parted only
yesterday, AMI yct-and yet there was
a change. ALI, learned It, all too soon
In those first few moments / told her
the story of my life for the past few
months, OF what had been before |
knew her--of what it should DO II she
would give me the assurance and prom.
ise Of her love. Then paused. For a
moment silence fell between US; then
she spoke. A bright flush was on hor
checks, her lips trembled. her lashes
yci.ed her eyes, but her lips faltered
not.
John. she said. Il am only a girl, it
is true, but the man marry must be a
man. Perhaps might have loved you
here little trenb!e crept into her
tone-'but have almost ceased TO re-
spect you. Were you my husband, l
would fear for you, and fear and love
go hand.in.hand.
Stop. said. Do you want to drive
me back TO the life had hoped l left
behind meY Oh, Mary, do not be so
cruel. Be my wife, and let me prove
the stuff that is in me.
NO, john she answered, softly; but
the blue eyes she now raised To mine
were swimming in tears. III you have
seen the wrong, surely you will not re-
turn to il. Rather. if you indeed love
me, prove yourself n man. 1t does not
take a battlefield to make n hero
'Prove yourself man. These were
the words that haunted me in the weeks
that followed. saving me from the ruin
| would else have driftcd into. but tor
turing me with their hopelessness.-
What hope had in my daily routine OF
duty of changing Mary's mindp Yet,
spite OF her words, something in her eye
lao, t,,l.l ,t.t H. 81.
something gave me strength to live, and
to withstand the daily temptations of
my life.
SO six months passed, when one
morning mounted my engine TO take
the express train to C. We were
going along at the rate Of thirty miles
an hour, when suddenly, right ahead of
US, it seemed, tiny speck Of red hut-
tered on the track.
Il strained my eyes-I blew my whis.
tie. What could 1t be 7! Merciful heav-
en-! Another instant il was made clear
to me. 1t was little golden haired
child, playing in the very face OF the
huge monster OF death my hand was
guiding to destruction.
Il whistled Down brakes but rs
did so knew that 1t was OF no avail
Before tue order could be obeyed, it
| would be rendered useless. Then some
thing within me said:
Your life is worthless. Give it for
that innocent life il it must BE-, hut save
it at the peril OF your own. Had you
been better man. you might have had
little child like that praying for you
| at home
1t takes long time, sir. 10 tell all
this, but in reality not one second had
passed. At such times men think
quickly. One bitter sigh rose in my
breast. could never have chance
OF proving to Mary my manhood by
some great deed in the future, or long
years OF penance. But IL did not make
my duty any the less clear. Bill, tile
fireman, was behind me.
Take the engine ! screamed to him.
'Good-by Mary whispered low TO my.
self.
The next minute, hardly conscious
OF what l was doing, was down upon
the cow'catcher OF the train, cliDging by
one hand, the other outstretched to
grasp the child, now paraIyzed with ter
ror. Then we were upon it. IL was
killed, crushed, mangled. No! look
ed down. It was safe, held with one
strong arm, its red dress huttcring In
tue wind. its golden head close pressed
against my shoulder. How was il doneg
! cannot tell you, sir. God, they say,
does not let the sparrow fall.
Then the train checked its speed,
stopped, the passengers came crowding
about us, men grasped me by the hand,
women cried over me, and stood dazed
and bewildered, in their midst. the child
tight-held within my arms. II was such
a simple thing; yet, sir, they gave me
this throwing back his coat aud show.
ing a gold medal.
4 wear IL in Thanksgiving for The lit
lie life saved. They raised for me
purse OF gold TO a large amount. but the
nirl ..hinh nonrnnl o.. Gil -. L -. -