Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-04-30

He was personally very neat; but
one morning, in particular, Ijoked him
considerably about his purple and fine
linen.
"'The fact is, old boy he said, with
that happy laugh OF his, there is to be a
grand excursion to-day, and when we
get to Denton we may have to take a
passenger in the cab, the cars will be
SO crowded.
81 understood in moment who he
referred to, and therefore was not sur.
prised when, as we stopped at Denton,
he assisted Winnie Clyde into the cab.
"She was looking her very sweetest
that day-as the girls say, she was per.
tect'y lovely, from her white hat to her
little walking-shoes-and no wonder
that Melton had hard work to keep his
eyes in the right direction. But he was
faithful; for there were twenty cars be.
hind, overcrowded with excursionists,
whose safety depended on his watchful.
ness.
"Vinnie was just as gay 8 a bird
full of laughter and merry chatter, that
was so droll it amused Melton and my.
self extremely, and made the time pass
away SO pleasantly and fast that before
knew we had reached the curve.
just as we were rounding it, Winnie
came quickly over to the window by
which | was sitting, and clasped hel
hands at the pretty view. ~ b1
"'Is it not lovelyp' she said. y.
"And | was about to answer, wher
the engine gave sudden plunge for
ward. looked ut Melton in surprise
for we had been going fast enough, anc
| thought il reckless and dangerous tc
put on a full head Of steam in that way
but the sight of his face stopped the
question that trembled on my lips. L
was just as gray and set as if cut out O
granite, and his eyes had strange, DIES
perate look in them, as that of mar
who is facing death, and has made W
his mind to grapple with him.
81 glanced ahead, and | saw sight
sir, that drove all reason from my mine
and filled it with wild, blind terror.
"That long tunnel was mass o
flame. The strong current of air tina
was drawing through it would push ou
great volumes of lame. hecked smoke
and give glimpses of red-hot tongues o
fire that Tapped eagerly in every direc
ton; and the train was plunging TOWARD
it with the speed of u race-horsc, as i
eager to run that hideous gauntlet o
death.
"Are you mad, manp' 1 screamed
to Melton. Whistle for down brakes |!
"And | attempted to catch the corr
but he pushed me back. r.
"' Would you stop the train in tn,
midst of that tunnelP' he said, fercely
"And then he flung a rubber Goa
over Winnie, who had crouched in lit
tie white heap on the floor of the cab
Another instant and we had entered tn
burning tunnel. Melton said that w
were but seven seconds going through
it; but it seemed to me as if | heard tn
roaring of the fire, and felt its heat an,
suffered the horror of it, for half al
hour. g
"But at last the cool, sweet air, un
tainted by smoke or the hot breath o
the fire, famed my face and | opene,
my eyes with feeling of thankfulness
as | knew that the burning tunnel wa
behind US and we were unframed.
tried to thank Melton-rather brokenly
| confess but he was so busy in kissin
the color back to Vinnie's lips that h
gave me not whit of attention.
"The train slowed-stopped the pas
sengers, full of excitement, came crowd
{ ing out and massed about us as W
, stepped from the engine. Melton wa
obliged to tell his story over and owe
, again, but he did it so modestly that
5 felt called on to add word.
"And such time as they all had owe
him Such flood of compliments an
J thanks, and hand shakings would hav
wilted most any one.
? "Just then the conductor came along
winked at Ray, and sung out, "A
aboardn giving him chance to escape
ave had very pleasant time whe
: the excursion party stopped at the gre'
. Wyatt Grove. Ray was the hero of til
hour, and all the ladies envied Vinni,
/ who couldn't help showing how prou
she was of him.
: sin short time they were married
and as Winnie persuaded Ray to brea
off railroading, he took her and h
Testimonial to California.
Last year | went to see them, an
r found him a successful farmer, with or
= of the finest ranches in the Golden Stat
t and extremely proud of his pretty wi
t and two lovely children.-Sat,udC