The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-20

black and grim like huge sentinels on battle
, ments inclosing camp of giants.
Indoor comforts, such as were here available
presented no attractions equal to the glory of
the outer world, and the stranger fingered to
enjoy the delicious atmosphere and indulge IN
reverie.
there was confusion heavy trampling of
hoofs, humping and rafting noises, and one
snriii, sharp Shrek was borne upon the air, car
rylng with it sure tidings of some mishap.
1t seemed bat moment after attention was
first attracted, when two splendid, fiery horses
dashed madly along the road, dragging after
them heavy, overturned carriage.
The windows of the few barn-like houses were
hastily thrown open, and heads were thrust anx
iously therefrom; the congregated miners within
swarmed out of doors and into the road, each
questioning his neighbor as to what had hap
pened.
Scarce time was given for reply before Crooked
Ben appeared IN sight, pale as a specter, bare
headed. upright as king, striding forward like
giant. In his arms cudded close to his breast
was woman.
Asking no question or consent making no re-
plies to any, straight forward into the house he
bore his moveless charge. and thrusting open
with his foot the door of the best room he laid
upon the bed the shattered form of Nora.
The miner stood fixed and speechess, the
slatternly landlady, her eyes streaming with
tears, barred with her body all ingress to the
room, except for those needed hurried
started in as many directions in search Of differ
ent doctors. Groups of men collected and gave
vent to their sympathy, often in strong oaths,
the profanity of which was almost lost in the
deep feeling that occasioued them.
The news was quickly carried by some mex
plicabe means to every dwelling within mile.
Tired men rose from their slumbers and rushed
to the scene, worn mothers left their Graded
babes, and sick women their humble fresides,
and hooded with ragged shaws and aprons
came out into the cold, starlit night
fiocking about and besieging the door
of the house whore their wounded sister
in suffering lay; begging to be allowed to DO
something anything, to alleviate her pain to
aid her. They would not be coaxed or driven
away; they felt that there must be some way
though they could not define the manner in
which they might help the sufferer. Truly, Ben
had not exaggerated the kindness of heart that
lay hidden under these rough exterors.
They waited until the arrival of a doctor;
then suspense was not long protracted. Moth
ing could be done Nora's hours were num-
bered and few; crushed down by the horses,
tramped under their hoofs, dragged by the
carriage her maneed body had little of lfe
less of feeling left within it. Quiet was earn
nesty begged for, and IN fearful silence the
serrowlng throng dispersed.
The traveller sought his ROOM but sleep he
could not the events of the night had shaken
his nerves. For several hours he tossed fever
ishly upon the bed and then resolved to leave
payment upon the table in the hall, quit the
house, and walk on toward his destination until
the stage overlook him.
He stepped into the entry-way and opposite to
him was the room to which had been taken the
injured one. He paused, then quietly pushed
open the door.
The gray dawn of morning had come oyer the
skies and banshed all the sparkling stars. it's
wan light was stealing in slender rays
through cracks in the rude shutters
and rents in the worn window cur
tains, across the bare, uneven floor Of
the scantily furnished room, the almost expiring
lamp added its dim, uncanny CLEANS to fee
bly, illume the funeral, ghosty surroundings.
the tired women watchers dozed fitfully in un
easy chairs.
A man sat, his body immovable as statue,
beside the humble cot, wheron lay the poor vic
tim slowly breathing away all that was left of
her sorrow-strcken life; his eyes were riveted
with look of wistful, despairing, unutter-
able love upon the quiet, pale face beneath,
his lips moved, the uncouthly- worded prayer
was plain to Him who alone could heal
the sickness of that broken heart The great,
gnarled knotted hand of the rough miner passed
slowly and ceaselessly along the edge of the
white coverlet like grim guard against the
swift approaching, inevitable conqueror He
saw nothing but that one object the total of and
life and love on earth; he heard nothing save the
short, labored gasps that ever and anon strug
gled from the crushed bosom.
The atmosphere of the room was close, vault
like deadly; the intruder passed noiseessly
across to a window and pushed partly open the
shutters, giving access to air and light. He made
his way to the bedside and and placed bis hand
upon Ben's shoulder. Long he remained gazing
upon the outline of that figure and the calm,
sweet face.
There was q movement Of the eyelids, then
they were lifted The bright orbs met the eyes
oh the stranger, then sought at once the iace of
Ben. He dropped upon his knees to receive
their light; pure holy. cheerful thankful and
loving was that last, long, farewell recognition.
A gasp, sigh not of pain, q sigh Of joyous
content Of happy relief, and all was over.
Nora was gone, gone from care, and trouble
and pain, to light, ard life, and peace in the
blessed homo of the God of the poor, where
there is neither sickness nor sorrow poverty,
nor parting: where all is rest eternal
A few more moments and the great hand Of
the miner was raised, then those calloused
fingers now endowed by loves omnipotence
with the velvet of an infants touch, closed for
ever the sweet eyes that had 80 long been his
guiding stars through life. Then his head was
bowed over the face of his dead, ard he
kissed for The first time the lips that had uttered
words Of cheer throughout his lone and rugged
pilgrimage and the intruder turned to depart
he heard, in voice strangely low and sweet
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