The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-24

carrying Oh buOusouu OohfOi ooofoAS oA'
at once, and with noise that was almost
deafening, when suddenly, the gentle
man in the other corner exclaimed:
Decidedly, we are going too fast. The
train will surely run OF the track"
"Oh, don't be afraid" said the child
seriously, papa is driving"
The officer was reading. He looked
out Of the window, and then resumed bis
reading without making any observa'
ton. s3o 80 ssgii .47aH
The other gentleman again began to
/ talk.
"This is certainly Madness said he.
4" Yes, madam" he continued, address
ing the lady, your husband is either
drunk or crazy"
"Oh, SIR" said the lady, my husband
never gets drunk. You saw him little
while ago. Certainly the train is going
at furious rate. L don't quite under
stand it."
The officer closed his book, and stretch
ed himself along the seat. would adj
wise you to do the same" he said, with
the utmost GOODNESS. eff you keep seat
ed your legs will be smashed. Remem-
Der the Versailles accident"
Certainly the train was running at a
terrifying rate. What in the world
could the engineer mean by such driv-
ing?"
81 am afraid" said the man, white
with terror.
Then the officer took me aside. Here
is my name and address, said he. IF
am killed or MORALLY wounded in the
accident to which we are running, and
you escape, promise me now that you will
carry these dispatches without a mo-
ment's delay to the general whose name
you will find by opening this envelope"
1 promised.
The woman took the little child in her
arms and covered her face with tears and
kisses She seemed to wish to make a
rampant of herself to protect the little
one against the frightful smashup that
was momentarily expected.
"I am not afraid" said the child, smil-
ing papa is driving" And she alone
among the passengers OF the car, and
doubtless she alone among all on board
of that train, had faith and confidence.
We could hear in the other cars cries OF
terror and wailings Of despair; and in
spite of the mother, the child leaned as
far as possible out of the window in the
back door, and shouted out, with all the
force of her little lungs, Don't be
afraid; papa is driving!" AMI that
sweet little girl, in the general terror
was tower of strength with that sacred
love of child for father an affection
that nothing can break down.
Gradually the train slowed, and came
to stand still. We were at station. The
engineer came to the door. "We have
been going very FAST" said he; :" but at
all hazards, we must get to Reims be-
fore the Prussians. That we must do at
the risk OF being blown up or smashed
to pieces on the way. I'm told we are
carrying important dispatches" And he
looked at his little girl with tears in his
eyes.
Give me your hand" said the officer.
You are brave fellow. 1t is L who
have the dispatches. " En- routel then
said the man; and he gave a parting
glance at the fair form of his child, as if
to bid her farewell. But Jennie was not
afraid, and, moreover, nobody in our
compartment was afraid any longer. We
knew that we were risking our lives for
our country, and that satisfied us. As
for the train, it recommended it's furious
race.
This was in the month of September,
| 1879, on the Eastern line. = From the
French.