Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-01-06
RISKING HIS LIFE
a Story of CHRISTMAS Eve.

| 1t is cold enough to freeze the
heart out of a miser and make the
| white bear dance for joy," grum-
bled Tom Orion. as he looked out
| of the window upon the snoW-cum-
bered streets. ''How / wish /
could be at home tonight and take
care of you and the babies, Jenny.
And i would, only for"
He thought of how much poverty
was pinching them, and would not
sadden the hearts OF those he loved
| by mentioning it.
"Only for what, Tom Pr asked
his wife from the bed, where, ill
herself, she was taking care of their
two sick children.
"Only that they'll be wanting
me at the circus. You know it is
Christmas eve, and we've gotten mp
an extra entertainment"
Eyes, Tom; and sorry day for
US, now that am sick, and the
children wanting medicine andn-
she could have said "food," but
could not bear to add a feathers
weight to his load-''so much de-
ponds upon you.
"I know" he replied, hastily
brushing the moisture from his eyes
and striving to conceal his anxiety T;
shut 1 am strong and well, Jenny,
and the winter is nearly over, and
you'll be well again."
''But if anything should happen
to you !" she questioned with a
heavy sigh.
"Don't think there is much dan
GER" he said, depressing a sob as he
thought of how desperate would be
their situation-of the rent due, the
scanty store of provisions, the little
fuel remaining, the more than a
month of hard winter yet before
them, the needs of Il family that a
poor man learns by the most bitter
of experience.
"But there is, dear Tom. No one
is ever safe living the life you do.
There are so many chances for acct
dent"
"Don't fear; I'll take care of N.Y.
self-woD't run any extra risk and
as have nothing to do in the lat
ter part, will be home early"
He stepped to the bedside; drew
the covers more closely about his
wife and children, kissed them, put
more coal in the stove, attended to
everything possible for their COM
fort, and prepared to face the cold
and go to his nightly employment.
Yet an uncommon spell seemed to
chain him. He fingered, fidgeted,
glanced uneasiIy at the clock.
'Isn't it time you were off, Tom p
questioned his wife. "You know
it is quite late"
ayes, Jenny, but somehow 1
don't feel like leaving you alone"
"Oh, am used to staying alone"
So she was, poor thing! "And
you said you would be home ear
ly?"
eyes.
An active, sober man was he,
and skilled performer. He had
been trained to the profession of
circus riding from childhOOd-knew
no other, and under ordinary cir
cumstances could easily "keep his
head above water" But the "tent-
ing season" had closed exceptional
ly early, the winter was hard, mon
ey was eight" and every place OF
amusement suffered in consequence.
To these things were added sickness,
and brave hearted as he was he
could not suppress shiver of anXi-
ETY. as the future stared him in the
face.
lie passed along the narrow street,
through more pretentious ones, past
the houses of millionaires, and en-
tered Broadway. That, at least,
was brilliant and gay, as if there
was nothing of poverty and human
suffering in the world.
"Ah thoughtless wealth and
fashion," he murmured, bitterly, as
he saw fur-clad forms, and pamper-
ed steeds, and richly mounted har-
ness, and gilded sleIghs, and costly
robes dash along, show much you
will have to answer for in the day
of final reckoning, for neglectiBg
your poor, toiling, suffering BROTH
ers and sisters"
But no time had he to linger-the
clock in a window told him that,
and, with a sigh that his wife and
little ones should not have their
quota of the good things, he passed
on.
Suddenly confused cry-a wild
tumult-startled him, and he knew
unusual was taking
place. Then came the shout of
Runaway! runaway" and he
felt life or property or both were
being whirled on to destruction.
"Are you mad? Do you want
to be killed ?" hurriedly asked
many, as they ran to places of safe
ty and he remained standing upon
the curbstone.
He gave no need to the warning.
He had braved death far too often
to shrink from it at any event, and
most certainly when at such a dis
lance. His eyes were fixed up the
street upon a team of noble bays |
that were tearing along, mad with
fright, and swaying the sleigh from |
side to side-Were running at their |
speed, each striving to Guido |
the other, straining every nerve
were running away driverless. Had |
that been all, he would not have |
himself, deep as was his af-
lection for blOOded steeds; for he |
was not at that moment particular
ly in sympathy with wealth. 1t was
quite another matter that chained
him.
AT the first outcry he had sprung
to and half climbeda lamp post, and
so obtained a clearer view-one that
thrilled his heart to the very core,
caused his breath to be more deeply
1rawn, and his pulse to momentari-
y cease to beat.
In the sleigh was a young and
beautiful woman, pale with terror,
Ind clasping two lovely children to
Ter breast. Orion thought of his
Jenny and their little ones, and re-
jolved to save them. The impulse
vas noble, but how was it to be &C
Far beyond any hu-
nan control were the frantic horses.
70 attempt to seize the reins as they
dashed past, and to stop them,
would be madne5S-wOuld be to be
ragged down and trampled to
leath. He saw this-saW that the
curse of the horses would bring
hem directly upon him, and though
he crowd furiously waved him
Jack, and warned him of his dam
Ter, he stirred not, only braced his
and nerves, and set his teeth
With determination.
"My Godw exclaimed a man, ;
Who, holder than the rest. sprang
grappled and would have
raWn him away. "You will be :
Tiled! instantly killed."
~ ,-f< oh h Of net assI