Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-01-01
OLD COLLINS.
lOri2inal1

Original
Freight train No. AZ ratified and bumped
along over the snow-covered track, making
the frozen bridges screak- In the dense for
est no cry of night hawk nor howl of wolf
was heard The night was terribly cold
and the hawks, sensitive to wind so cut
ting, had sought the hollow of the groaning
oak; and the wolf, though half famished,
growled and snarled In his cheerless den
"The new year is coming in with the chill
of death,v said Old Collins, the conductor,
holding his lantern between his knees and
picking at the wick with his knife.
Coming with both ears nipped of, (" re-
piled Bill Anderson, a brakeman, throwing
open the stove door and stirring up the frs
with poker.
Old Collins was peculiar man For twenty
years he had been freight conductor. No
one ever heard him speak Of his family; no
one ever saw him laugh The boys said
that he was ''crank," and Anderson, in
his good natursd way. often asfsd him why
he didn't go on the stage and play grim ira
gedy. One day, Old Collins, after reading
a letter, tore the paper into small pieces,
threw the huttering handful toward the
door of the caboose and said: Thank GOdn
Anderson looked up and asked: "Whats
the matter, old man q
Nothing"
Shortly afterward, when the train stopped
at station, Anderson gathered up the
scraps of paper that had been blown baek
from the doors, put them together and read,
'sDied in this CITY last" This was all he
could make out; and, as the old man entered
the car, he silly threw aside the bits Of
paper.
Since that time old Collins had seemed to
be more cheerful; still, no one ever heard
him laugh.
''Whsrs do we stop nsxtF' asked Ander-
SON
''Finchley Creek replied the old man.
putting his lantern on the box beside him,
''up grade, too. wish we didn't have 70
stop any more tonight THIS cold weathsg
hasn't helped my rheumatism any, let ma
tell you"
Gregory" called Anderson to a man who
sat nodding, you needn't go to sleep. Have
to go on top pretty soon"
'There ought to be a law to prevent .
replied Gregory. stretching himself
'1t's got to be done by somebody" said
the old man, taking up his lantern Il
think myself that we'd all feel better in an
oyster saloon. Well, here We are" he added,
as the engine whistied
"Any man who has ahy doubt about the
weather. said Collins, when the train started
again, "can have all doubts removed, by
Anderson, who've you got thereF pointing
to an object wrapped in a blanket lying on
the floor
"a woman, SIR
Don't you know.we are not allowed es
take passengersr
eyes sir; but she begged % hard and
looked so cold and sick that / could not re-
fuse herr
That's all well enough, Anderson, but
you know our orders. She must get Of At
the next station"
please DON'T" implored . weak Toics, u
believe am dying now"
Her face was turned from the conductor,
who had sat down on box near her. They
wouldn't let me stay by the fire at the sta
ton, for the agsat's daughters were there"
'EWho are your asked Collins
Nobody, SIR"
''Where is your homer
'Nowhsre"
"Have you no parentsF
'tMy mother died when I was small
''where is your fstheri'
She did not reply, but turning her fscs
further away from Collins. sobbed aloud
r.. lsn..-
ductor.
Another sob.
sis ne deadF'
'eNo, sir; but he thinks 1 am When
last say him, years ago he cursed me and
said that God was unjust for permitting me-
to live. Some time ago wrote to him,
signing another name. l told him that his
daughter was dead"
The old man sprang to his feet MY
God, Pauline, ~ he exclaimed, my God, is il
youF'
Dropping on his knees beside her, he raised
her and put his arms around her. Fora
time neither Of them spoke. The wrinkles
in the old mans face, down which the tears
were fast rolling. seemed, under the rays OF
the lantern which Anderson was holding.
silvery drains 4 crushed hearts emotion.
Don't put Ae OF. father; please don't"
"Poor child,n sobbed the old man, kissing
her She put her arms around his neck
The train whistled, but no signal was waved
On through the howling wind; on over
bridges that groaned
"Mr. Collins, whispered Anderson, touch
ing the old man, 'shs Is dead. 'Mr. Col-
Inns, let Us lay her down on the blanket
The father and daughter, in sitting pos
ture, we're leaning back against Gregory
LET Us put her down." repeated Ander-
son, removing the old mans arms Al We
can do-great Lord. Gregory, they ara
both dead. Poor old man Rheumatism
struck his heart"
When No. AZ ran from howling. bitter
night into the glorious sunshine OF nav
the father and the daughter
lay side by aide. Yes. the new year had
come In with the chill Of death
OPU P RRAn.
LrTIE Rocxl Lax, D.s. "a