Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-05-23

caused him to halt almost withou
knowing he did SO.
II naturally supposed from all 1 saw
and heard that you cared for Marshall p
1t was almost question, and tn,
silent listener outside in the moonlight
bent forward to catch the low tones O
the reply
"Oh, George, how could you? Why
he's nothing but freight-brakeman
What would papa say if he heard that p
It NGs the soft, tender voice of Kate
"And you truly only cared for me
darling?"
II only loved you, George"
That was all and the strong,man who
listened, whose only crime was poverty
turned back quietly in the darkness
turned back through the low hedge and
out into the moonlit road, with pale face
and heavy heart. He had loved hel
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 suffering, and those cold,
heartless, stinging words, Hes only a
freight brakeman" ringing in his ears
with every heavy step he took. He was
poor, was nothing but brakeman, had
neither wealth nor lineage of which to
boast but, after all, he was a man, and
like one he suffered his loss suffered
through the long, still night, patiently
and silently.
AS the long summer days faded into
the shorter ones of early fall. and his
train passed back and forth by the sta
tion on its daily trips. watched Tom,
and knowing so much as did. could
read his sufsrings, though he tried SO
bravely to hide it all and appear out-
wardly a. cheerful and light-hearted as
ever. Poor Tom! the blow was hard
one struck by her little hand, and the
>skFong man bent beneath it, whether he
would ofK0
It was nearly winter when the end
finally came, and that>saaing was IN
deed terrible.
For several weeks heavy storms NJ
been raging along the entire line of the
road, and many fears were expressed 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 and cul
verts already loosened by previous
storms. That night when I went on
duty it was raining hard-a cold, bitter
rain, half sleet, clown 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 lightning that
seemed almost to tear them ia twain
My instruments were almost unman-
ageabie, owing to the electricity in the
air, but about midnight message came
through In jerks from the division su.
perintendent at Balton:
"Opr Carlyle,
Send Bond with extra east, to report
track at FarmersvilIe for No. 2. Move
cautiously. "W. B. G"
Bond was Toms conductor, and 1
handed the ordered to him Immediately,
An engine 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, muf-
fed up to his chin, and holding a small
leather valise in his hand, came hur-
riedly around the edge of the depot
building.
Bond ~ he said to the conductor, who
stood there with his lantern raised to
give the signal for starting. II want to
60 down with you. I must be home to-
night"
Bond looked around rather surprised
at the request
"We're more than likely to be wrecks
ed before ever we get there, Mr.. Ballou,"
he said, quickly. "But, if you must go,
take your own risk and get on. l don't
care"
"Ballou, don't go!"-it was Toms
voice, speaking very low. "Take my
advice, for there's not one chance in ten
of our going through to- night without
trouble"
"But I must co." came the answer
"My mother has been taken lila tele
gram just received"
"Wait for No. q then-that will be
nearer daylight"
Eyes, and it might be too late. No,
I must go to night, danger or not. Sure
ly may risk it if you can ~
II have no one to think of but my
SELF" The words were almost lost in
the wind. "You have Kate, and it is
my duty to go, not yours" And the
brakeman regretfully turned away
Only moment did Ballou gaze after his
as it went Pickering down the
wet platform, and then as the short
train started he stepped into the caboose,
and leaned from my seat to watch
Tom swing up 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. Thun-
dering down the grade in the rain and
night, every brakeman at his post on
the top, the great freight engine plung
ed 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 peering ahead
through the storm, his hands wrenched
clearsby the shock. Tom was hurled
ped him, but the cold water into which
be fell revived him again, and he crawl
ed out from the debris on to thes bank
and worked his way back towards W hat
should be the rear end of the train,
When the first terrible crash came.
the csheose had been pitched violently
forward and then flung down, and now
hung tremblingly suspended upon a
single timber of the culvert, which
trembled and threatened each moment
to part aud let the battered car fall on to
the ragged rocks below.
''Is there any one hurt, Cal?" Tom
asked, anxiously, as be finally found
the conductor standing alone in the rain
beside the track
''No; all cut safe, think-close call,
though, Tom; awful wreck! Inever
saw worse in thirty years!'
Help me! help!"
The cry rang out shrill and agonizing
from the suspended caboose below them.
"Help! I'm wedged in Quick !"
It was Ballou's voice, beyond a doubt.
"Give me the ak !" and, seizing sthe
Tom sprang out into the totter-
ing car and dropped down through a
shattered window. He knew the slen
der, trembling timber could not sustain
that weight long. He knew be was 60
ing to almost certain death. He knew
q moments delay might rid him of one
who had won from him the woman he
loved. It was moment for vengeance,
but he forgot it ALL He knew mo-
ment's delay and all of George Ballou
would be dead, mapgled body. But
he never hesitated, never doubt ed what
to do. He was only brakeman, but he
was willing to sacrifice his own life,