Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-07-14

OAAr 1OvON y0us 0OOi8Os
That was all; and the strong man who
listened, whose only crime was poverty
turned back quietly in the darkness
ed back through the low hedge and out
into the moonlit road. with pale face and
heavy heart. He had loved her with all
the grand strength of his strong, manly
nature-he never knew how much before,
as he did now, alone in his misery, his suf-
fering, and those cold, heartless, singing
words, "He's only freight-brakeman, y
ringing in his ears with every heavy step
he took. He was poor, was nothing but a
brakeman, had neither wealth nor lineage
of which to boast; but after all. he was a
man, and like one he suffered his loss-suf-
fered through the long, still night, patient
ly and silently. 4t
AS the long summer days faded into the
shorter ones of early fall, and his train
passed back and forth by the station on
its daily trips. l watched Tom. and know
ing so much as did, I could read his sIf-
ferings, though he tried so bravely to hide
it all and to appear outwardly as cheerful
and light-hearsed as ever. Poor Tom! the
blow was hard one struck by her little
hand, and the strong man bent beneath it,
whether he would or no
1t was nearly winter when the end final
ly came, and that ending was indeed ter
rible.
For several weeks heavy storms had been
raging along the entire line of the road,
and many fears were expressed by the rail-
way officials about the safety Of the road
bed between Carlyle and Farmersvllle, the
next station east. All along these few
miles we're heavy grades and numerous
small bridges and culverts already loosen
ed by previous storms. That night when
I went on duty 1t was raining hard-a
blowing, bitter rain, blown here
and there in gusts of heavy wind. The
night itself was intensely black from
swiftly scudding clouds, broken now and
then by vivid glares of forked lightning
that seemed almost to tear them in twain.
My instruments were almost unmanagea-
bic, owing to the electricity in the air, but
about midnight a message came through
in jerks from the division superintendent
at Balton:
"Opr. Carlyle,
s'Send Bond with extra east, to report
track at Farmersville for No. 2. Move
cautiously.
''w. B. c."
Bond was Toms conductor and hand
ed the order to him Immediately. An en-
CINE was ready at hand, and they soon had
the short train of ten cars made up in the
yard. Just as the engine backed down
from the tank and was being coupled on,
George Ballou, mufded up to his chin. and
holding small leather valise IN his hand,
came hurriedly around the edge of the de-
pot building.
"Bond,' he said to the conductor, who
stood there with his lantern raised forgive
the signal for starting. 81 want to 60 down
with you. must be home tonight"
Bond looked around rather surprised at
the request.
"We're more than likely to be wrecked
before We get there, Mr.. Ballou,'' he said
quickly. but if you must go. take your
own risk and get on. dom care"
sBallou, don't gol''-it was Toms voice,
speaking very low. "Take my advice. for
there's not one chance in ten of our going
through tonight without trouble
s'But must co." came in answer. my
mot her has been taken lila telegram just
received"
..Wait for No. 2, then-that will be
nearer daylight"
"Yes, it might be too late. No, l must
20 tonight, danger or not. Surely [ may
risk it if you can!"
II have no one to think Of but myself"
The words were almost lost in the wind
You have Kate, and it is my duty to go.
not yours" And the brakeman regretful-
~ turned away. Only moment did Bal
lou gaze after his lantern, as it went flick
ering down the wet platform, and then as
the short train started he stepped into the
cabeose, and 1 leaned from my seat to
watch Tom swing on the little iron ladder
and mount to the top.
Just exactly how it all happened to-day
do not know, but at the bottom OF the
second grade the earth had been washed
away from beneath the rails, and they
hung almost unsupported just below the
surface of the water. Thundering down
the grade in the rain and darkness. every
brakeman at his post on the top, the great
freight engine plunged into the water and
went crushing down. Car after car was
piled up there and hurled to one side down
into the ravine. Clinging to brake just
back of the engine. and psering ahead
through the storm, his hands wrenched
clear by the shock. Tom was hurled out