The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-10-13
PAPA IS DRIVING. "

ltu uOuF. eGtereu OF Tatner was
thrown by an attendant. into the car
nearest 10 me. The door was quickly
shut. The whistle was blown end we
were off.
Curiously enough. the car was crowd
ed. l formed the fifth passenger. Two
Of the corners were occupied, one by an
ctHcer end the other ty civilian. Fac
ing NE was wonisn, Sbout thirty years
old. neatly and modsstly dressed, and
beside her sat the most beautiful little
child | ever saw--a little girl about six
years old, with Fl ,od of blond cuIls
waving under her immense straw bat
Now and theft tie ghtld aodfd loUk
tht0ugh the window in the direction Of
the engine, and then her eyes seemed to
wander in the infinite space that was un-
rolling itself before her. We came to
station. The train stopped. The little
girl put her face TO the window. 81 don't
see him." she said to the lady beside her
& don't see him" Then suddenly her
face frightened and her eyes lit with gol
den hues, shining ssitf iraescrihable joy,
while her lips came down upon two
hand, that came from the exterior and
we're placed upon the frame Of the open
ed window. "Ah, papa! Here Is pa
pal" exclaimed my little neighbor with
the exuberant and innocent Joy Of her
six years.
1t was the engineer OF our train, who
had cot1e To speak to his little daughter
and his wife, Who were seated in font
of me.
ave are going very FAST" said the
woman
1--WE must make mp for lost tifhe." re-
piled the man. "Wefe you afraid jean
ne ?"
"No." said the child, "because knew
that YOU we're driving"
swell, by-by," said the man, as be
left.
"By-by. papa," said the child, throw.
ing herself into bis arrf1s,
1'he train started and gradually reach.
ed an extraordinary speed. / worship
children, and l began to exam ne the
little one in front Of me. She was full
OF life and good humor. She amused
herself with everything aud nothing, ca
joling with her mother, irq ,isitive with
the window severe with her doll She
was carving on d th0dssnd differen,
conversations all at once, and with 9
noise that vas almost deafening, when
suddenly the gentleman 10 the other cor
ner exclaimed:
"Decidediy we are going too fast, the
train will surely run off the track"
| "Oh, don't be afraid" said the child
seriously papa is driving"
The officer vas reading. He looked
out of the window. and then resumed
his reading without making any obssr
vation.
The other gentleman again began tt
talk.
"This is ceftsiTlv Madness" said he
"Yes. madaua." be continued, addressing
the lady, "y0ur husband Is either dranl
or crazy"
"Oh, sir" SAID the lady, tiny hustsnt
never gets drunk. You saw him q littl
while ago. Certainly, the train is goins
at furious rate. don't quite under
sand it."
The officer closed his book and stretch
ed himself along the seat Il would ad
wise you to do the same," said he, will
the greatest GOODNESS. "If you keel
seated, your logs will be smashed. Re
mem6er the Versailles accident"
| Certainly the train was running at
terrifying rate. What In the world eoul'
the engineer mean by such driving.
81 am afraid e said the citizen, whit
with terror.
Then the officer took me aside "Her
is my name and address," said he. 81
I am killed or mortaIlv wounded in tn
accident to which We are ru6hius, an
you escape, promise me now that vol
will carry these dispatches without mo
ment's delay to the 6 neral whose nam,
you will find by opening this envelope
promised.
The wornsf took the Child in her arm
and covered her little face with tears ant
kisses. She seemed to wish 10 make
rampant Of herself to protect the littl
one against the frightful smash-up tia
was momentarily expected.
81 am not afraii," said the child, stni
ling. "papa is driving" And she alon,
among the passengers Of the car. ant
doubtless she alone among all on board
the train, had faith and confidence. W,
wodM lfear iu the other cars cries OF ter
ror and wailings of dispair. and. in spit,
of the mother, the child leaned out o
the window ir the hack door and shout
ed out with all the force of its it'll,
lungs: Don't be a'rsid; papa is dri
wing" Alb! that sweet little girl, in thu
general terror. was tower of strength
with that sacred love OF child, for ,
fa'iier-an affection that nothing can
break down.
Gradually the train slowed and ther
came to standstll. We were at y STA
ton. The engineer came to the door
ave have heen going very FAST" said
Uut ~ dll uSHt'US VIC R6b W
Rtims before the Prussians, That VIZ
must do at the risk OF being blown up
or smashed TO pieces on the wav. I'm
told we are carving important dispatch
es," and be looked at his little giil with
tears in his eyes.
"Give me your hand" said the officer
You are brave fellow 1t is ! who
have the dispatches T. "En route!' then
said the man, and he gave parting
glance at the fair form OF his chilli as i
to bid her farewell But Jeanne was not
afraid; and moreover, nobody in our
compartment was afraid any longer. We
knew that we we're riskine our lives for
our country. and that satisfied US. As
for the train, it RECOMMENDED its furious
race.
This was In the month of September,
1870, IN the Eastern line.-Coarrter des
Eats Uais.