Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-10

express " as not sWltcncu vi enoio o~
inevitably be collision Laurence shook
off his torpor.
..Aimee r'he cried, in laundering tones.
"Here. papa"
And the child continued to give sharp
little calls which mingled with the roar OF
the approaching engine. :,
The instinct OF duty rather than Will
urged Laurence toward the switch. He
seized the instrument which ought to turn
the train.
mo" he cried, 81 must save her.
Aimee. Aimee! where are vou?" and his
ewes sought to pierce the darkness.
The switch tender, with hair on end.
thought of throwing himself before the
iron monster. But one chance renamed,
that Aimee was not Oh the track over
which the train must pass. he looked
again, and this time he saw her. she
was there. standing on the very track the
train must take if he altered the switch.
If the iron tempest did not take its true
course the child was saved. The train
would 90 on to crash against the one at
the station. What matter? Aimee
would be alive All this went through
his mind like lightning. There would be
the killed and wounded-twenty families
in despair, but Aimee would be safe and
sound. There would he an inquest; he
would be condemned to prison, dishon-
ored. ruined! But his daughter, his
Aimee, would live and be happy. All
how quickly one can think in such terrible
moments
The train came laundering on. but it
could not be seen on account OF sharp
curve in the road. There was still time
to save Aimee, but the child would not
stir. 1t seemed to her father that she
waited for the train with an air of def
auce.
"Aimee " he repeated in voice stran.
gled by fear, "Aimee, come here, you will
kill me -
Suddenly the advancing lights the OF
engine appeared. The train was upon
him; it was here. The man felt his whole
being shake. He was bewlder ed-could
see nothing; thought did not stop, how
ever, but travelled faster than the train.
He recalled in a second his honorable
soldiers life, when he had sacrificed every
thing to duty. He saw in the station the
irightful accident he would have caused,
and heard the cries OF the wounded. the
last gasps of the dying. The problem
was before him.-his daughter or others
There was no alternative without mira
Gle.
With astonishing promptitude the senti-
ment of duty became most powerful, and
he seized mechanically the handle of the
iron bar. The stoical soldier at this mo-
ment was upperwost, and etfaced the
father. He pushed. hardly knowing what
he did, and the express train crossed the
switch.
On, on it went. and he could see it pass
ing before the station, going by as if it
were happy to escape danger and dis
appearing in the darkness, Duty had
been strongest. Supplied, staggered,
speeches.. Laurence was rooted to the
spot, holding still the cursed handle
which had helped him to kill his child.
"Now," he said, lit is my turn to die"
The other train was about to pass. He
stepped forward, crossed his arms, and
awaited it. The whistle sounded. the
heaving engine pulled. Bewildered. think
ing, there he stood.
But that instant burst of laughter
sounded behind him. He turned. wild
with hope.
"Oh. naughty papa he won't play with
Aimee" said the most beloved of voices.
The child was clinging to him. Lau-
renee did not seek to know how the child
came there, alive. He seized her. and
fled with his treasure into his little cabin.
Then he put her on the ground before the
lamp and looked at her. He could not
bear so much Joy. and fell fainting be-
side his daughter who, in her turn,
screamed with terror.
At this moment Celine arrived. She
heard Aimee's voice and fastened her
steps. Then, becoming impatient, she
called
Aimee -
The child ran to meet her, crying
Mamma, mamma, | am frightened ~
"What is the matter p'
Papa has fallen down.
Celine rushed toward the sentry-box,
and found her husband completely insensi-
bic. and stretched on the ground. she
sent tor help. and the doctor, who had
not left the village, came and restored
the poor man to consciousness.
The next day when Laurence rose, his
wife looked at him in terror. Instead of
his former bright color. he exhibited a
corpse like pallor which never left him to
the end of his days, Laurence was forced
to tell his wife all When he had finished
the poor father turned to Aimee and said
But, darling, why weren't you killed P"
Why" said the child, 81 did what
Simon did