The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1881-03-19

each side Of thsroad we were trav-
cling, was thicklY covered with
luxuriant growth 81 poplar, elm and
ash trees, whose branches were
clothed with a charming verdure
indigenous to the South. The sur
rounding forcstawas filled With null
titudes of native songsters, whose
sweet warble greeted our ears with
ravishing music; whilst the deli
cious fragrance arising from innu-
merable wild flowers impregnated
the air with an intoxicating scent.
The enchanting scenery caused my
mind to wander away to Lottie's
little naradise, where had so often
/, s.fayed by her side, listening to
the doye-like 'onas of her voice,
drinking the rcI draughfs of de-
light which her sweet lips bestow-
ed. Then my thoughts flew back
to the good old days Of my child
hood, reviewing the happy hours
when | was tramping along the dus-
ty road, watching with eager de-
hight the rise and fall OF Lottie's
little feet as she walked by my side.
Well did remember with what de-.
votion | had loved her then, and
how my love had continued to in.
crease untilit had become a part of
my existence. My mind was busy
with a review OF the happy scenes
through which | passed. with my
darling. Then when the awful
present came up review, | closed
my eyes and tried to shut out the
dreadful reality. When we were
within five miles Of the railway sta
ton, Harry looked at his watch and
then observed:
"lf we get to the station in time
for the up-train, we will have a close
race indeed; we have only twenty
minutes to make the five miles"
don't believe any man ever liv-
ed who had a more tender regard
for good horse than | have. But, |
while | held such views, did not
believe that | was doing wrong on
that occasion when | urged my no.
bic horse forward to the very top of
his speed. knew 1t would distress
and press him both, to make 1t in
time; vet believed he could do it, |
without endangering bis life. My
conclusions were correct; for we did !
dismount at the station as the train
dashed into the streets Of the little
town. We gave our horses IN charge
Of the livery stable keeper, and
stepped on the 4latIorm just as tie
tram began to move. | wish could
convey to my audience a correct !
idea OF my feelings, when | began
10 hope i woutd rta6in nome IN time
10 see Lottie, before death claim
ed her. hastily wrote a dispatch |
with my pencil intending to have 1t
sent forward from the next office, |
notifying Doctor Dodson that we
we're on the train and would reach
home that night. Here is lhe iden-
tical telegram | have been care
ful to preserve them:
"DEAR DocToR: We are aboard of
the tram, @@and will be home to-
night. Fer heavens sake don't let
my darling die before We come.
Send an answer, 50 it will meet US
at Grenada. We are due there at
eight o'clock. Tell Lottle that we
are begging God to spare her dear
life. Cheer her up with hope; |
can't bear the thought OF loosing
my precious darling. | shall not
try to live if she dies"
This dispatch was handed to the
operator at The first Office we came
to, who promised to forward it with
out delay. Then dropped doWn
on my seat, sal spent every mo-
ment in earnest prayer Harry
buried his face in his hands and
groaned aloud. / could hear his
agonizing groans above the rafting
noise made by the swift moving
train as it dashed on. TAe conduc
tor was an old acquaintance and
friend Of mine; he had heard Of the
troubles.by which was surrounded
and when he came to collect the
fare, he gave my hand gentle
press with his owA as he observed:
Il hope It is not as bad as you
seem to think, Demar; you deserve
d better fate; and | earnestly hope
you will meet it.
| saw a sympathetic tear trem-
bling in the eye Of this generous
friend. A party Of young ladies and
gentlemen occupied seats Just in
front al me, and among them was a