Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-01-06
he ia ~ ho fOrnr ~

he is to be found.n
So would the policeman, that
something of the glory might attach
to himself. But the lady departed
hOmeward without obtaining the
desired information, and the sensi-
| tivenesS of Tom Orion caused him
to lose the one opportunity of his
life to have risen above iron-handed
| poverty.
Meanwhile he was hurrying to
business. More time had been Occu-
| pied in the rescue than he thought
possible, and though applause was
dear to him Gas to ally, yet he could
not stay to listen, and as for risking
his life for money, he had not even
dreamed of such a thing.
Out of breath, he dashed into the
dressing room. and was received
with reproof for being late.
Couldn't help it," he replied; II
saw a pair of fiery horses running
away with sleigh and a woman
and two children-thought of my
Jenny and the children, and had to
stop and save Them"
He told the story very briefly and
modestly while getting ready-did
not seem to fancy he had done any,
thing wonderful, and sOon was dash
ing around the arena upon a spirit
ed steed, "witching the world with
wondrous horsemanship.o
The audience applauded to the
echo, and, carried away by the ex-
element, he rashly determined 10
execute his daring acts-those given
only upon the greatest occasions,
forgetting that the horse herode had
young and wild.
The result was soon painfully ap-
parent. Though some were accom-
plished in safety, yet when he at
tempted leaping over banner the
| fiuttering frightened the horse, he
bolted suddenly, and Tom Orion
was hurled heavily on the ground.
He endeavored to rise and make
light of pain, but strange sickness
came over him, the lights fiickered
and grew dim, he gasped for air,
and he knew nothing more until,
somewhat revived in the dressing
room, he heard familiar voices.
t.Oh, God! what will become of
Jenny and the babies? '' he gasped,
family. ST am done for, and--and
-.n His tears and sobS choked
him.
"Don't fear for them, Tom," said
a dozen hearty voices, and as many
grasped his hands as could obtain
hold; We'll see that they are taken
care Of"
"Thanks, thanks" murmured
the injured man; "but tell me the
worst"
"a broken leg is all that appears
serious" answered a gray-headed
mana strange physician who had
been summoned, "thOugh | cannot
account for the marks upon your
side, my man."
"Probably he hurt himself when
he stopped the runaway horses"
was suggested, and the story told.
"Hump! A very dangerous bu-
siness--next to foOlhardy! not one
in ten thousand would have escaped
alive" replied the physician, with
pursed lips and flashing eyes. swell
all that can be done now is to get
him home; then l will make a more
minute examination.
Very tenderly was the noble
hearted fellow taken to his humble
abode, and the scene, when he was
laid upon the bed, side by side with
his sick wife and children, caused
every eye &c overflow with tears.
"TOm, dear Tom," said Jenny, as
well as she could for her pitiful sob
bings, "what will become of us-of
the children? We shall all starve
and die together"
"Not while we have hands," re-
piled his associates and every heart
was touched and every arm nerved
to the utmost toward relief.
They all looked around anXiouSly
for the physician-supposing he had
accompanied them. But he was not
to be seen, aud their grumbling be-
came loud and deep.
81 can bear anything" said Tom,
"but for you, Jenny, and the chill
dren," and he entirely broke down.
Sand / could curse that doctor
for an unfeelIng wretch" blurted
out one of the most passionate. "But |
it is ever thus. We give our lives |
freely to please the public, and when
anything happens they care nothing
for u.s."
Tom Orion groaned heavily. The
sound awoke his little girl. She |
raised up in bed, straining her eyes,
clapped her tiny hands, and shout |
ed in true childish glee and won
der:
Mamma Papa! See, an an
gelw
All eyes were turned in the dIrec-
ton she pointed, and in the door
way stood beautiful woman, lean
ing upon the arm of the physi-
clan
Yes, an angel had come to them.
Tom Orion had risked his life to
save that of the daughter of DIR. Ar
mitage and his grandchildren, and
the merest chance had given them
the knowledge who it was.
But never was an equestrian feat
better rewarded, and never a more
angel appeared upon
earth, even npon the day when alike
from hilltop and valley is proclaim
ed, "Peace upon earth and good Will
to men,"