Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-11-13


lows CDR. Faustus," Homer's "Iliad,"
in Bryant's translation, Mommsen's
"History of Rome" Oh, we were very
literary, Jack and l, that first winter.
We had some hot discussions relative to
the merits of the old English authors,
and then, with all, we took German.
We could do the grammar about our
work, there were many Germans in the
mill, and we did get on quite little in
that throat distorting language.
You think it was all sunshine; if it
had been, I should not be telling this
story to you. You hope Jack never
broke his crown, "but he did, all the
same-me," as little sprite at my elbow
says about her playthings. Love, thank
God, can last not only till death, but be-
yond, but the rainy days are quite nec-
essary in the journey to make us thanS-
ful for the sunshine, if for nothing
more. We were to have our share Of
dark days, but no one could take away
from us our happy remembrance of that
year Of work and pleasure.
One night Jack came home in high
spirits, the mill would stop day for
repairs. "Jill, we can have holiday,
and we will have lark" Our first day
together since we came out of the little
parsonage, how pleased we were, like
two children let loose from school! We
arose the next morning with the sun,
we did the work together, and arrayed
in our best clothes, left our dear little
home, with the sunshine flooding the
tiny kitchen and "Dick" in his cage
singing as if he would split his throat in
ecstacy. How happy we were! The
people we met all seemed friends, and
we danced along like two kittens on
frolic. Jack had proposed that we go
to a city twenty miles away and spend
the time, and the express in half an hour
left us at our destination, and steamed
away, Kissing like some wild creature
mad with fury. The people must have
thought us half demented, for we raced
about, into the book stores, looking at
pictures, pricing fabrics at the great dry
goods houses, and altogether behaving
shockingly for old, staid married people.
But YOU must remember that Jack had
only reached his majority and Jill was
but lust seventeen. All, well, what a
red-letter day il was with its autumn
glories, the markets full of blushing
fruit, glamour on everything! 1t
seemed to Jack and an enchanted land,
everything was free to us, we could see
and enjoy it all. We got our lunch at a
little Dutch parlor, with motherly at
tendant, who evidently regarded us as
two babies who had escaped our parents,
for day. She accepted ridiculously
low sum for it all, and her broad, good
natured face smiled all over when we
went out. Every moment was just
packed full of solid fun; Jack and |
were speaking Of it yesterday, after re-
turning from Mrs. Lords fashionable
reception, how perfectly happy we were,
and how it ended. But must not an
ticipate.
In the early dusk, just as the lights
began to twinkle along the streets and
people were trudging home from their
toll, as the west was hung with flame,
we were flying out toward the city
where we lived; and how glad we were
to return, just as eager as we were to
leave in the morning;I l thought how
the kitchen would look, and what L
would prepare for tea in honor of our
outing.
Well, we were coming into the city,
a little tired, but satisfied with our day.
We were on the evening express, and
it was always scene of confusion when
the train got in two tracks on either
side had their trains, bells were ring
ing, escaping steam with that hiss and
swish-sh that is so deafening. 1t WAS
quite dark, save as the headlights Of the
engines glared on us like huge evil
eyes; the crowd was great, and one was
almost bewildered in the glare and
noise. We had found our way out, Jack
and I-poor Jack but had carelessly
left my bag on the seat. 1t was jacks
present, and he rushed back after it.
The rest is a blank, but learned after
ward that our train was late; Jack was
coming toward me, a smile oil his hand
some face, when there was rush, 4
roar, glancing lights, and when looked
again Jack was down, almost at my feet,
white, limp and senseless, but, thank
God, not dead. By some mistake the
western express had passed without
warning, he was past the rails, but the
baggage car had struck him and hurled
him, fortunately, away from the train.
The bag was In his clenched hand, but
1 thought he had left me forever. The
crowd surged in, physician appear ed,
and he was borne into the depot. he
revived little, then went of into a
swoon that seemed like death ITSELF
They got him home on mattrass, the
worst was known, he had a compound
fracture of the limb; the bones were
set, and / was left alone. Not until the
kind doctor had gone aud the unknown
friends, did l realize little how oul
holiday had ended.
There was the kitchen with our table
pushed against the WALL but l had pre-
pared no tea, for Jack lay there 81
deathly pale, save red spot on eacf
CHI eek, and he did not know me. Oh
Jack will you die and leave your little
Jill all alone? And then the tears CANE
and had refreshing cry. After tha