The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-04-19

into cross treetg-startIed him, q q
he knew something unusual v.
taking place. Then came the shot
of runaway! runaway" and /
felt that life and property or eve
both, were being whirled on to di
struction.
"Are you mad? Do you want I
be killed?n hurriedly asked man,
as they ran to places Of safety an
he remained upon~the curb-stons
He gave no heed 10 the warning
He had braved death far too oftel
to shrink from it any event, an,
most certainly when at such
distance. His eve were up tn
street upon a team of noble bay
that we're tearing along, mad will
fright, and surging the sleigh from
side to side-were running at thei
utmost speed, each striving to out
do the othes3 strAiAing every nerve
were running away driverless. Hal
that been all he would not have
troubled himself, deep as was hi
affection for blooded steeds, for b,
was not at that moment particular
ly in sympathy with wealth. Il
was quite another matter that chain
ed him.
At the first outcry he had sprune
to and half climbed q lamp post
and 80 obtained q clear view-one
that thrilled his heart to the verv
core, caused his breath to be more
deeply drawn and his pulse to mo-
mentarily cease to beat.
In the sleigh was q young and
beautiful woman, pale with terror,
and clasping two lovely children to
her breast. Orton thought of his
Jenny and their little ones, and re-
solved to save them. The impulse
was noble, but how was it to be ac-
complished? Far beyond any hu-
man control were the frantic horses
To attempt to seize the reins as they
dashed past and to stop them would
be madness-would be to be drag
ged down and trampled to death.
He saw this-saw that the course
of the horses would bring them di-
rectly upon him, and though the
crowd furiously warned him of his
danger, he stirred not, only braced
muscles and nerves ard set his
teeth with determination.
my God?" exclaimed a man,
who, bolder than the rest, sprang
forward, grappled and would have
dragged him away. aYou will be
instantly killed p
Tom Orton shook him of just as
the horses reached him, watching
his opportunity, seized upon the
harness as they were sweeping
past, sprung lightly upon the back
of the nearest horse, grasping the
reins, and turning to the affrighted
woman and screaming children and
shouted:
Keep quiet. l will save youp
And save them he did. Before
a block had been traversed the
hossss<were made to realize 4hut he
was their master, and the curb cut
ting deeply in their mouth brought
them to a stand-still.
The crowd cheered Justify, the
police assisted the woman and the
children out and carried them in y
neighboring store, and as soon as
the former had in measure recov-
cred her senses, she asked for her
preserver that she might thank and
reward him, but he was not to be
found. All that could be learned
was, that as soon as the trembling
steeds had been taken charge ofby
others he disappeared.
"Who could it have been ?" ques-
toned the lady, with still ghastly
face and bloodless lips.
Cannot say" answered the po-
liceman, constituting himselfspokes-
man; "but he was a brave fellow
anyhow. l would not have taken
the risk he did for thousands"
"A brave fellow, indeed" was
the response; "and / would give
very much to know his name and
where he is to be found"
So would the policeman, that |
something of the glory might attach |
to himself. But the lady departed
without obtaining the |
desired information, aEd the sensi-
tiveness of Tom Orton caused him
to lose the one opportunity of his |
life to have risen above iron-handed
Meanwhile he was hurrying to |
business, more time had been occu-
pied in the rescue than. he thought |
possible, though applause was as
dear to him as to all, yet he could
not stay to listen, and as for rlsking |
his life for money. he had not even
dreamed of such thing.
Out of breath he dashed into the
dressing room, and was received
With reproof for being late.
Could not help it." he replied
Il saw pair OF fiery horses run
ming away with a sleigh and wo-
man and two children; thought of
my Jenny and my children and
had to stop and save them"
He told his story very briefly,
md modestly while getting ready
lid not seem to think he had done
wonderful, and soon was
1ashing down the arena upon a
spirited steed charming the world
With wonderful norsemanship."
The audience applauded to the
scho, and carried away by the ex-
he rashly determined to
execute his most daring acts, those
given only upon the. greatest occa-
,ions, forgetting that the horse he
rode had not been trained to them
was young and wild.
The result was soon painfully |
Though some were ac- /
,omplished in safety, yet when he
attempted TO leap over banner the
auttering frightened the. horse, he
bolted suddenly and Tom Orton
was hurled heavily to the ground! |
He endeavored to rise and make !
light of the pain. but strange sick
ness came over him, the light flick