Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-07-27
What the Train Brought.
SC4ibner.

express Gfa1n ruSn6U across Ln6 DrluB6
that sranned the narrow river on the
Derwent farm, near c. C.ncord, and Alice
Derwent, the farmers pretty, dark-eyed
daughter, stood on the vine. shaded
porch, looking after it with an uncon-
scious sigh. ......
$50 many come by you, so many go
by you, out into the great, vide, beau
tiful world" she thought. as she gazed
over the fertile valley farm and out
through the break in the circling blue
mountains, from whence trail of white
smoke came floating back. "I wonder
If you will ever bring me anything
or carry me away? or must I live my
Life out to the end, shut in by these
quiet hills ?"
"Supper ready. motherr" called out
the hearty looking farmer, halting in
the glow of the bright freight on the
open hearth, as he came in from fod-
desing the stock, followed by his son
Thomas, who was the living, breathing
"image of his sire"
"To be sure it is" replied his bust
ling little wife, who had just such eyes
and hair as bonny Alice, and just the
same sweet smile. "Isn't it always
ready, father, when the train goes by !?
Come, Alicei"
"Alice is out there looking for her
fortune, mother" said Tom. SIT is
coming by that train. 1 know all
about it."
Alice smiled and shook her head at
her saucy brother, as she took her seat
at her fathers side.
Little did any of them think how
many true word is spoken in jest, or
that the fortune which the evening ex-
press was to bring the daughter of the
house was even then nearing their hos
pitable door.
"I've worked like a beaver all day
-ong, Martha, and Tom has kept pace
with me, and we both said as We came
home, that we we're too tired to eat
But this is comfottl 1t would be hard
to see anything much pleasanter than
this nice, tidy kitchen, and just as hard
to find any of their French cooks that
can beat you and Alice, my DEAR" said
Ehhu DerWent, glancing thankfully at
the blazing fire, the table laid 80 neatly,
the tempting meal of batter. cakes and
maple syrup. wheaton bread and golden
butter, and large platter of cold
corned beef and vegetables that was
placed before the two hungry men.
Mrs. Derwent poured out the tea
strong, hot and fragrant.
esquire Seaton, up in the big house
yonder, don't often get such tea as this,
with all his staff of servants" said
Tom, looking across the valley to the
brick and freestone palace of the one
millionaire of the village.
"Poor man !" sighed Mrs. Derwent.
81 do pity himl His wife and daugh-
Ter dead, and his only son so wild and
willful and wanderer all over the
world Only last week he told me, with
tears in his eyes, that he had heard of
his boy, and that he had been seen lately
in Leadville, intoxicated and poorly
dressed, in gambling saloon. Yet
when he wrote there to him-and wrote
kindly-he had disappeared. If it was
our Tom, Elihu, should inst break my
heart. Tom, if you ever do grow un-
steady and run away like Philip Sea
ton, you will give your mother her
death-blow. Remember thatP'
THANK God, it isn't Tom, Martha
I'm sorry, too for the man and for the
boy. Mr. Seaton owns that he turned
him out of his house in New York In
fit Of anger, and that the boy swore
no would never enter his doors again.
Bad temper on both sides you see; and
Bo-- Why Martha, what on earth is
that?"
Farmer Derwent might we'll ask the
question and rush from the tea-table to
the door, followed by his wondering
wife and children.
Aprocession of four of his neighbors
was coming mp from his garden gate.
at the gate stood horse and q light
express wagon, and from the wagon the
four men had lifted an inanimste body
end were bearing It toward the house.
"The 6 o'clock express has run of
The track, mile or two up the valley.
said Deacon Jones, as be and his two
sons and his brotherin-law reached
ths porch with their senseless burden
"Ever SO many people hurt, but able
to go on as soon as they got righted.
hut this poor fellow is SO nearly deat
that wo thought We had better bring