The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-02-19
manitomo1 pilot.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1885.
OLD COLLINS.


bumped along over the snow covered
track. making the frozen bridges screak.
| In the dense forest no cry of night
hawk nor howl of wolf was heard. The
night was terribly cold and the hawks,
sensitive to a wind SO cutting, had
sought the hollow of the groaning oak;
and the wolf, though half famished.
growled and snarled in his cherries
| den.
1.-The new year is coming in with the
chill of DEATH" 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, -
replied Bill Anderson, a brakeman,
throwing open the stove door and STIR
ring up the fire with the poker.
Old Collins was peculiar man. For
twenty years he had Deen freight con-
ductor. No one ever heard him speak
of his family; no one ever saw him
laugh. The boys said that he was a
crank" and Anderson, in his good
natured way, often asked him why he
didn't 60 on the stage and play grim
tragedy. One day, old Collins, after
reading a letter, tore the paper into
small pieces, threw the tiuttering hand
said: Thank God"
Anderson looked up and asked:
''What's the matter, old man?"
Nothing"
Shortly afterward, when the train
stopped at a station, Anderson gather
ed up the scraps of paper that had been
blown back from the doors, put them
together, and read, '.Died in this city
last" That was all he could make
out; and, as the old man entered the
car; he silly threw aside the bits of pa
per
Since that time old Collins had SEEM
ed to be more cheerful; still, no one
ever heard him laugh.
Where do we stop next?" asked
Anderson.
"Finchley Creek" replied the old
man, putting his lantern on the box
beside him, up grade, too. | wish we
didn't have to stop any more tonight.
This cold weather hasn't helped my
rheumatism any, let me tell you"
Gregory, called Anderson to a man
who sat nodding, you needn't 60 to
sleep. Have to 90 on top pretty
SOON
There ought to be law to prevent
a man from going anywhere such a
night as this" replied Gregory, stretch
| ing himself.
Its got to be done by somebody"
said the old man, taking up his lantern.
Il think myself that we'd all feel bet
ter in an oyster saloon. Well, here we
are" he added as the engine whistled.
| ANY man who has any doubt about
the weather." said Collins, when the
train started again, lean have all doubts
removed Henderson, who've you got
there?" pointing to an object wrapped
in tlanket, lying on the floor.
| "A woman, sir. +"
Don't you know we are not allowed
to take passengers?
Yes, sir; bat she begged SO hard
and looked SO cold and sick that |
could not refuse her."
That's all well enough, Anderson,
but you know your orders. She must
| ret of at the next station.
Please DON'T implored weak
voice, Il believe | am dying now"
Her face was turned from the con-
luctor who had sat down on box
ncar her. They wouldn't let me stay
| y the fire at the station.for the agent 5
daughters were thor
..Who are you?" asked Collins.
Nobody, sir.
| Where is your home?"
Nowhere
| ''iiayG YOU no parentS?'
''My mother died when Twas small. y
Where is your father"
She did not reply, but turning her
lace further away from Collins sobbed
| aloud.
Where is your father" repeated the
conductor.
Another sob.
lis he dead?"
No, sir: but he thinks | am. When
| last saw him, years ago. he cursed
M, and said that God was unjust for
permitting me to live. Some time ago
| wrote to him, signing another name.
| told him that his daughter was dead"
The old man sprang to his feet my
God, Pauline, he exclaimed, MY God,
is 1t you?'
Dropping on his knees beside her, he
EIised her and put his arms around her.
For time neither of them spoke. The
wrinkles in the old mans face, down
which tears were fast rolling, seemed
under the rays of the lantern which
Anderson was holding, silvery drains of
a crushed hearts emotion.
Don't put me of, father; please
don t."
Poor child" sobbed the old man,
kissing her. She put her arms around
his neck. The train whistled, but no
signal was waved. On through the
bowling wind; on over bridges that
| groaned.
''Mr. Collins whispered Anderson,
touching the old man, ''she. is dead
Mr. Collins, let us lay her down on the
| blanket"
The father and daughter in sitting
position, were leaning back against
Gregory.
Let us put her down." repeated
Anderson. removing the old mans
rms. "All we can do-great Lord,
| Gregory, they are both dead, Poor
old man. Rheumatism struck his
| heart
When No. AZ ran from a bowling,
bitter night into the glorious sunshine
of new day-a new year. the father
and the daughter lay side by side Yes,
the new year had come in with the chill
OF death.-Opie r. Read, in Courier
journal.
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