Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-01-23

Amy WAS even tnsn nearing tnc uecp
and dark waters that roll round all the
world" and, that night, amidst an
gushing sobs Of father, mother, class
mates and friends, her little soul VAS
waited out upon the bosom Of those
waters, toward eternity.
All! that sad funeral will long be re-
membered. The little white coffin was
lowered into the tiny grave that had
beer made bed of flowers, and then
"ashes to ashes"
How the little snes Of the Infant Class
wept as they gathered round that new
made grave-and under their banner
draped rs Ii was. "Be We faithful unto
death 7"
The weeks passed by, and one Sunday
morning It was announced that the
Sunday school should have pic nic the
next Saturday.
Saturday dawned bright and clear,
and hardly had the cid sun gotten fairly
out Of bed when load after load OF hap
DIV children and their teachers were
hurrying TO Smiths Grove, beautiful
resort some miles from town and near
the railroad.
Phil was on hand early to see them
OFF, and WAS helping one little toddler
into the wagon when Carrie Lee accost-
ed him:
~ suppose you will be too busy TO
come down this morning, Phil; but
can't YOU come down ut noon and AXE
lunch with us"
Eyes, Carrie, III ride down with
Jack on No. 8, and he will let me OF nj
the big bridge" :"
"All right; we will meet you at the
bridge at noon. Good-byel"
And the load drove of, the banner
waving proudly in the breeze.
No. ., brave Jack Smiths engine,
came Numbering into the depot halt
hour late Phil jumped on the engine,
saying:
Jack, | want you to let me of at the
big bridge, near the grove; I'm gsina
to the pic mic. Can ! handle the old
pet that far?"
"All right, Phil. But we're late. aud
we've got three extra coaches filled
with laud explorers. So open her out J!
And Phil "opened her out." Was u
love that was driviag those ponderou'
wheelsp Did not the vision Of blue
eyed, Gask-haired girl fit before Phil''
vision, as he pulled open the throttle
yalvei How tue massive iron horse
painted aud trembled. II was race foI
Love! IL would soon be a fight with
Death!
They fly around 4 curve, and sudden
ly Jack cries out: my God, Phil See
that signal! Let me have her! Thro"
her over!"
The signal Down theline Of glisten'
ing steel rails, and right upon them and
the bridge, stands little group OF chill
dren, clinging to one who with frantio
haste il waving TO aud fro signal
Phil's Banner! Did they throw heT
oyerp" oh, how the hot air screamed
in agony through the brake valves
How the imprisoned wheels ground and
groaned along the track. IL WAS bat
tie Of Love with Death, but love came
out victorious.
At the very edge OF the bridge hey
stopped the train. There wss Carrie
and the little ones, crying and laughing
all in one voice. Aud there was the
death-trap. The rails on the bridge
had been torn up. The work Of villain,
an hour ago. Our little band had come
down to the bridge to meet their friend,
and had found the desth-trsp. They
heard the train. Then, clinging to
their horOic teacher, she and they defied
the King Of Terrors, aid under their
banner-"Phi;'s Banner"--they were
faithful.
Phil's promotion came soon after tho
reward bestowed upon Carrie and her
class by the railroad company.
Soon afterward there wasa marriage
Phil aud Carrie were there. The Infant
Class was there.
| And so was "Phils Banner"