The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-10
OLD COLLINS.

v 8AaA AeNs ~ A@>AsS~ eassNs ~" along over the snow-covered track, making the frosen bridges screak. In the dense forest no cry of night hawk nor howl of wolf was heard. The night wss terribly cold and the hawks, sensitive to a wind 90 cutting, had sought the hollow of the Sscaning 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,s said old Collins, the conductor, holding his lantern between his knees and picking at the wick with his knife.
 .sComing with both ears nipped off," replied Bill Anderson, brakeman, throw ing open the stove door and stirring up the fire with the poker.
 Old Collins was peculiar man. For twenty years he had been a freight con- ductor. No one ever heard him speak ot 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 go on the stage and play grim Ira gedy. One day, old Collins, after read ing a letter, tore the paper into small pieces, threw the Auttering handful to- ward the door of the caboose, and said l: Thank God"
 Anderson looked up and asked :: "What's the matter, old man? ?''
 Nothing"
 Shortly afterward, when the train stopped at a station, Anderson gathered up the scraps of paper that had been blown back from the doors, put them to- gether, 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 paper.
 Since that time old Collins had seemed 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 rheuma- tism any, let me tell you"
 Gregory" called Anderson to a man 6ho sat nodding, "you needn't go to sleep. Have to go on top pretty soon. /"
 "There ought to be law to pre- vent man from going anywhere such a night as this," replied Gregory, stretching himself.
 It's got to be done by somebody" said the old man, taking up his lantern. "l think myself that we'd all feel better in an oyster saloon. We'll, 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, "can have all doubts re- moved by Anderson, who've you got there P pointing to an object wrapped in blanket, tying on the floor. A woman, sir"
 to take passengers r'
 "Yes, sir :; but she begged so hard and looked so cold and sick that could not refuse her."
 "That's all we'll enough, Anderson, bu, you know your orders. She must get of at the next station"
 Please don't" implored weak voice, "I believe am dying now" Her face was turned from the conduc- tor, who had sat down on box near her, {. They wouldn't le. Eae stay by the fire at the station, for the agents daughters were there
 -" Who are you g' asked Collins.
 Nobody, sir"
 Where is your home"
 "Nowhere."
 "Have you no parents :"
 My mother died when was small" :"
 "Where is your father ?'
 She did not reply. but turning her face further away from Collins sobbed aloud.
 "Where is your father2' repeated the conductor.
 Another sob.
 "is he dead 2''
 "No, sir but he thinks am. When last saw him, years ago, he carsed me, 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 it you"
 Dropping on his knees beside her, he raised her and put his arms around her. For a 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 Am derson was holding, silvery drains of a crushed hearts emotion. Don't put me of, father; please don't"
 "Poor child" sebbed the old man, kissing her. She put her arms around his neck. The train whistled, but DO signal was waved. On through the bowling wind; on ever bridges that groaned.
 "Mr. Collins" whispered Anderson, touching the old man, "she is dead. MT. 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 An- derson, removing the old mans arms. "An we can do-great Lord, Gregory. they are both deadi Poor old man. Rheumatism struck his heart"