Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-10-26

was upon them. The first obstacle was
whipped out of the hands of the strong
man who held it and the car rushed on
to the second with hardly lessened force.
Again the barrier was brushed aside,
but this time tbs speed Of the old wreck
was perceptibly less. By the time the
fifth obstruction was reached the new
conner was able to chamber aboard and
throw the child into the arms Of his
companion, but before he had time to
save himself the old truck had regained
something of its momentum and was
plunging on toward the prccipice.
"Well, tho man jumped just as they
reached the edge, just before his vehicle
shot over into the air, but he had very
little time to choose his ground, and 80
landed, as luck would have it on the
only heap Of stones in sight The others
picked him up for dead and carried him
up to the settlement, where the miners
held a regular wake over him. But no
came TO life in the fastive--the obsequies,
I inean-and fouss, that he was only
crippled for life.
The miners-folks not easily moved,
wero enthusiastic about the affair. and
gave such testimonials us they could to
show their gratitude and appreciation.
One of these expressions took the form
of souvenir, signed by every man in
the place, and stating in very grandilo-
quont language what the poor fellow
had done, His quick wit seemed to
them more wonderful than his courage
and devotion, in community where
neither quality is unusual at all.
The man who takes his own life in
his hand every day, and has frequently
to fight for the life of some companion
values 'brainy' action. In the box
with the testimonial was purse of fifty
dollars and curious old gold cross, that
had been treasured by the brother of the
lad who was saved as his one piece of
fncry. On it was rudely engraved these
words:
Given by the miners at the Notch
to the man who risked his life for n
child
THAT was all. The poor fellow went
away and would have been forgotten
only that the old miners told the story
sometimes 10 their children"
Tho prisoner was looking out of the
window. The conductor rustled around
as though ashamed of the interest no
had shown in the story--a story which
he did not doubt was pure fiction. Only
the brakeman gave way to bis sympa-
thy, and asked whether the man had
over been found.
mot that [ know Of" replied tho
detective.
And was you the boy what he
saved Z"
IL was the kid"
"And you mover heer'd tell what be-
came of the man--what would you do
il you shu'd come acrost him some
time p Evidently the brakeman had
an Inauguration which was irving s
sert itself.
"Oh I'd try to even the thing up
somehow. suppose common decency
would demand that. I'd Great him as
well as | knew how
'Look here" said the prisoner turn
ing from tho window with an apparent
effort to change conversation which
for some reason had not seemed to in
terest him--"'look here, old man, I've
got little keepsake that your story
just reminded mo Of, and il could get
at it I'd ask you to take charge of it
for me til--tilI this thing is over. Ii
you'll put your hand in there and pull
out that bit Of ribbon So"
The conductor almost jumped out Of
his scat. "Blamed if it amt the cross
that you've just been telling about" be
shouted
A month later the detective was I'M
q cross-examination by the con-
ductor and brakeman
Eyes, he was bad lot. Oh, yes, he
didn't have leg to stand upon. The
facts were Nil as clear as day. All true
about the cross and the rest Of itl Just
as true as gospel. What had he been
doing? Throwing bombs the last thing.
Punished +? Well, to tell you the truth,
they won't DO apt to punish him till they
catch him again, | guess. Fact is, he
got away from mo somehow that same
night. Who, me? Oh, no, I'm not on
the force any more. I've been bounced.
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