Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-01-13
TOM ORION.

Broadway, brilliant and gay, as if
there were nothing of poverty or human
suffering in the world-as if none in the
great city were familiar with hunger and
sickness; as if there were never to be
any awakening from a golden dream of
luxury and pleasure.
"Ah, thoughtless wealth and fashion,
murmured Tom Orton, bitterly, as lie
saw fur-clad forms, and pampered
steeds, and richly-mounted harness, and
gilded sleighs, and costly robes dash
along. "How much you will have to an
swer for in the day of final reckoning,
for neglecting your poor, tOiling, suffer-
ing brothers and sistersw
Suddenly a confused cry, wild tu-
multi, the drawing away of teams OH Ell
ther side, or dashing into side streets,
startled him and he 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 madP" asked many, as they
ran to place of safety, and he starding
upon the curbstone.
He gave no heed to the warning. He
had braved death far too often to shrink
from it in any event, and most certain
ly when at such distance. His eyes
were fixed up the street on a team of no
BILE bays that were tearing along, mad
with fright and surging the sleigh from
side to side-running at their utmost
speed, each striving to Outdo the other,
straining every nerye-running away
driveIless. Had that been all be would
not have troubled himself, deep as was
his affection for blooded steeds, for he
was not at that moment particularly in
sympathy with wealth. 1t was quite
another matter that chained him.
At the first outcry he has sprung to
and half climbed lamp-post; and so
obtained clearer view-one that thrill
ed his heart to the core, caused his
breath to be more deeyly drawn, and his
pulse almost to cease to beat.
In the sleigh was young and beauti-
full woman, pale with terror, and clasp
ing two children to her breast. Orton
thought of his Jenny and their little
ones, and resolved to save them. The
impulse was noble, but how was it to be
Far beyond any human
control were the frantic horses. To at
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. tho |
the crowd furiously warned him of his !
danger, he stirred not-only braced his
muscles and nerves, and set his teeth |
with determination.
"My God~ exclaimed a man, who,
bolder than the rest, sprang forward |
and would have drawn him away. "You |
will be instantly killed."
Tom Orton shook him off just as the
horses reached him, watched his Oppor-
were sweeping past, sprung lightly upon |
the back of the nearest horse, grasping
the reins, and, turning to the affrighted |
and screaming children, shout
ed:
Keep quietl 1 will save youf"
And save them he did. Before a
block had been traversed the horses
were made to realize that he was their
master, and the sharp curb cutting deep
ly into their mouths brought them to
standstill.
The crowd cbeered lustily-the police
assisted the woman and children out
and carried them to neighbOring store,
and, as soon as the former had in a
measure recovered her senses, she asked
for her preserver, that she 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
"WhO e0nld it have been?" questioned
the lady, with still CHASTITY face, and
bloodless lips.
Cannot say" answered a policeman,
'but he was brave fellow, anyhow. l
would not have taken the risk he did for
thousands"
"A brave fellow" was the response,
'and L would give very much to know
his name and where he is to be found"
But the lady departed without obtain
ing the desired informatian, and the
of Tom Orton caused him
to lose the one opportunity of his life to
have risen above iron-handed poverty.
Meanwhile he was hurrying to busi-