The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-08-08

no one was so efficient in helplng as big
Dave Brown, who had done most to-
ward causing the disaster. At last he
climbed out of the water with Abby,
and her first cry was: "Mabel!-where's
Mabelp"
Somebody had seen the child 60 down
in the crash, carrying with her tho
banner; but though men and boys did
wonders among the timbers, and though
every one else was accounted for, there
was no trace of little Mabel.
The distracted father came rushing
to the spot, and plunged into the mar
row channel. He risked his life madly;
he raised every fallen beam in the search;
and after hours of vain labor he crawled
up the bank, so white, so despairingly,
that peope, in every awe of such grief,
fell back. Abby alone came to him,
saying, between bitter sobs:
"You trusted her to me. Oh! can you
ever forgive meP"
"My poor Abbyr' said the doctor,
tender ard kind even in all his great
sorrow And as the mournful train
moved away from the fatal spot, Abby
chung to his arm.
The two ministers coming to meet
their congregations, Mr.. Dodd wrung
Mr.. HollOway's hand, and said, ''My
poor people have not understood me;
L never dreamed of this wicked rivalry"
Mr.. Holloway returned, earnestly:
cover this innocent child's body, when
that cruel river gives it up, we must
join hands, and teach plainly that
brotherly love stands as the first article
of our belief"
But, oh! what was to heal that fathers
broken heart? With a poor weeping
girl clinging to him, the stricken mar
bent his steps towards his desolatC
home. With vacant, unseeing eyes hC
slowly passed by each familiar land
mark-the mill, the brook, the apple
orchard, the wicker gate that led t.
Browns farmhouse, then
But just here cry was heard o
doctor! doctor!'
Mrs. Brown came tearing down thu
garden walk, and dragged him witt
her to the house, and into the darkeneC
best parlor. From the sofa came
faint voice: "Father!'' and lying there
pale but safe and warm, was the small
Mabel.
Abby, with one great outburst of Joy
clasped the child, and the perseverin,
little maid asked at once won't yol
come and live at our house, Abby?"
'Dave saved her." Mrs. Brown ex
planned, volubly, "Ae spied bit G
the blue silk banner foatin' Almost on
of sight way down that river channel
} He made for it. got a holt of the child
just cut across lots, and brought her u
here. Dear sus! she's only just come tC
/ | couldn't leave her alone to come an
tell you, and Dave he wouldn't sho1
| himself nohow, and"
"Where is DayeP" interrupted tn
| doctor.
, "Dear sus!he's in the barn a-cryin, h
! feels himself such a villain" said til
| excited mother.
With great rejoicing the whole con
= pany went to hunt up the hero of tt
9 hour. He lay in an empty stall, fac
uoWn, upon plle Oh nay, anu coul
5 just manage to jerk out, 81 won't.
e never put-the fellers up to no MOI
t mischief, if-if them as is hurt-ca
e forgive me-" Then the village bull
g shed tears copiously on the barn foo
!, and beloved aloud, until by main fore
4 he was picked up and comforted; s
there have been known to history vi
y lains of much deeper dye than Day
. Brown.
a Though. there were several broke
c bones and a great many bruises, on IL
Y whole the experience of the rival pi
e mics was worth library of sermon
k and it led to famous wedding,
e which little Mabel went about proclaim
5 ing, "Abby's coming to live at OF
e house. "-F'Gnny Foster Clar6, in HI
S per'S Bazar.