Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-02-24
CHIID-FAITH.
Month of September, 1870 On the
Eastern Line.

l arrived at the station at the ap-
pointed hour. entered, or rather was
thrown by an attendant, into the ear
nearest to me. The door was quickly
shut. The whistle was blown and we
were off.
Curiously enough the car was not
crowded. 1 formed the fifth passenger.
Two of the corners were occupied, one
by an officer and the other by a civilian.
Facing me was woman about 50 years
old, neatly and modestly dressed, and
beside her sat the most beautiful
little child | ever saw-a little girl
about years old, with flood OF blonde
curls waving under her immense straw
hat. Now and then the child would
look through the window in the direc-
ton of the engine, and then her eyes
seemed to wander in the infinite space
that was unrolling itself before her.
We came to station. The train
stopped. The little girl put her face to
the window. Il don't see him. Then
suddenly her face frightened and her
ewes lit with golden hueS, shining with
indescribable joy, while her lips came
down upon two hands that came from
the exterior and We're placed upon the
frame of the open window. All, papa,
Here is papai'' exclaimed my little
neighbor, with the exuberant and innO-
cent joy of her q years.
1t was the engineer of our train, who
had come to speak to his little daughter
and his wife, who was seated in front OF
me.
I'VE must make up for lost time, >
replied the man. ''Were you afraid,
Jeanne?"
'sNo.n said the child because 1 knew
that you were driving
"Well, by-by," said the man, as he
left.
'Well, by-by, papa said the child,
throwing him a kiss.
The train started and gradually
reached an extraordinary speed. |
worship little children, and / began to
examine the little one in front of me.
She was full of life. and good hmor.
She amused herself with everything and
nothing, cajoling with her mother, III
quisitive with the window, and severe
with her doll. She was carrying on
a thousand different conversations all al
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 viii surely run OFF 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
his reading without making any Oh
servation.
The other gentlemen again began t.
talk.
The officer closed his book and
stretched himself along the seat
would advise all to do the same, .
said lie, with the greatest GOODNESS. III
YOU keep seated your legs will he
smashed. Remember the Versailles
accident
This is certainly, madness, he con
tinued. Yes, madame, he SAID, al
dressing the lady, ''your husband i
either drunk or crazy"
''Oh, sir, "said the lady, my husband
never gets drunk. You saw him little
while ago. Certainly the train IS gon9
dl lullouS idtc. N'oii
il -
Indeed the train was running at ;
terrifying rate. What in the worlt
could the engineer mean by such drIv
ing?"
Il aK afraid?'' said the citizen, white
with terror.
Then the officer took me aside. Herr
is nv name and address, - said ne. II
am killed or mortally wounded III the
accident to which we are running ant
you escape promise me now that yor
will carry these dispatches without ;
moments delay to the general who's
name YOU will find by opening this EN-
velOpe.n
promise.
The woman took the child in heI
arms and covered her little face witt
tears and kisses. She seemed to WIS.,
to make a rampant of herself to pro
tect the little one against the frightfu
smash-up, that was mOmentarlly eN-
pected.
81 am not afraid" said the child
smilingly; papa is driving. > An'
she alone among the passengers OF TN
car, and doubtless she alone among al
on board the train, had faith and con
fidence. We could hear IN the othe
cars cries of terror and waillngS o
despair, and, in spite of the mothers
the child leaned out of the window u
the back door and shouted out with al
tie force of her little lungs; Don't b
afraid; papa is driying!' All! that swee
little girl, in the general terror, was
tower of strength, with that sacred low
of a child for a father-an affection
that nothing can break down.
Gradually the train slowed and cam
| to a standstill. We were at station
The engineer came to the door. w
have been going very fast" SAID he
s'but at all hazards we must get I
Reims before the PrussianS. That W
must do at the risk of being blown u
or smashed TO pieces on the way. II
told we are carrying important dis
patches. - and he looked at his little gil
with tears in his eyes.
Give me your hand, " said the oihcel
'You are a brave fellow. 1t IS ! VII
have the dispatches. " "En route.
then said the man, and he gave parl
ing glance at the fairy form OF IN
child. as if to bid her farewell. BU
Jeanne was not afraid; and, moreover
nobody in our compartment was afral
any longer. We.knew that we were rlsF
ing our lives for our country, and ina
, satisfied us. As for the train, 1t recon
menced its furious race.
This was in the month Of September
1870, ON the Eastern line.