Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-05-31

the son OF rich banker Oh nelSu'
boring town, had already gained her
promises, and from many little things
which had fallen under my notice, L
began 10 believe that rumor for once
was right. And Tom loved her, and
thought it over all at night when L was
not busy, and wondered in my own
heart how 1t could end.
Tom never came back to the depot
that night, though 1 looked for HIM.
and his train left eastward while 1 was
taking my breakfast at the only hotel
the place afforded, and caught but
glimpse Of him as they swung around
the curve. 1 afterwards heard the
whole story from his lips, but can tell
1t best for myself. From bis car he
passed up The long hill 10 where
twinkllng among the trees, determined
TO learn his fate from Kate's OWE lips
that very night. The parior windows
ere dark when he assembled the stone
steps and rang the bell, and the servant
who answered it recognizing his face
told him he would find Miss Kale IN
the garden. In the moonlight, dream
inc the ever.new dream OF love, he
passed with quick step down the gravel
path by the well-trimmed hoYer'oeds
TO where the summer house, thlcklY
shaded by cllnging vines, stood at the
further eud. This was her iavorite
resting place, aud many a pleasan
hour came flooding his mind, passed
there with her-his queen. "A he ap-
preached now, he was surprised to hear
borne on the still night air, tue tone oi
voices 10 earnest compensation. In all
Toms nature there was nothing COW
ardly, nothing base; but his Own name
spoken in mans deep voice, caused
him to halt almost without knowing he
did SO.
naturally supposed from all 1 sa~
aod heard that you cared for Marshall'
It was almost a question, ard the
sile Mt listener outside in the moonlight
bent forward to catch the los tones OF
the reply.
oh, George, how could you@ Why
he's nothing but freight-brakeman!
What would papa say il the Heard that!
TWAS the soft, tender voice OF Kate
And you truly only cared for me,
darling ~
Il only loved you, George
That was all; and the strong man
who listened, whose only crime was
poverty, turned back quietly IN Inc
darkness-turned back through the low
hedge and out into the moonllt road'
with pale face and heavy heat. lie
had loved her with all the grand
strength OF bis strong, manly nalure-he
never knew how much before, as he DID
now. alone in his misery, his suffering,
and those cold, heartless, singing
words. He's only freight brakeman,
ringing 10 his cars with every heavy
step he took. He was poor, was moth
inc but a brakeman, had nailh0r wealth
nor lineage Of which to boast; but after
all. he was a mar, and like one be
suffered his loss-suffered through The
long. still night, patiently aud silently.
AS tie long summer days faded into
the shorter ones of early fall, aud his
train passed back and forth by the sta
ton on its daily tnp., watched Iom,
aud knowing so much as l did, L could
read his suifcrings. though he tried so
bravely TO hide it all aud appear out
wardly as cheerful and lishL-hearted 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 NJ.
1t was nearly winter when the end
finally came, aud that ending was in
deed terrible.
For several weeks heavy storms had
been raging along the entire line OF the
road. and many feals were expressd BY
railway officials about the safety OF the
road bed between Carlyle and Farmers
vile, the next station east. All along
these few miles there were heavy grades
and numerous small bridges aud cul-
yerts already loosened by previous
storms. That night when l went on
duty It was raining hard-a cold, bitter
rain, half seet blown here and there IN
gusts of heavy wind. The night itself
was intensely black from swiftly scud-
ding clouds, broken now and then by
vivid glares of forked tightening that
seemed almost W lSdi 0"ShA q"
MI instruments were almost unman-
ageable, owing 10 the electricity IN The
air, but abont miduighta message came
through 10 jerks rom the dnis su-
perintendeht at Ballon
'Opr. Carlyle.
Send Bond with extra east, 10 report
track at Farmersville for No. 2. Move
cautiously. W. d. -
Bond was Toms conductor, and L
handed the order to him Immediately.
An engine was ready at hand, and they
soon had the short train Ot ten cars
made up in the yard, Just as the en-
CINE backed down from the tank aud
was being coupled on, George Ballou,
mufied up 10 his chin, and holding a
small leather valise in his hand, came
hurriedly around tie edge Of the depot
building.
.Bond.' he said 10 tie conductor,
who stood there with his lantern raised
to give the signal ior starring L want
10 90 down with YOU. must be home