West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-06-07

Among the lady passengers on the
train was bright, brisk little school
marin who was on her way TO her school.
She was Just as sweet aud pleasant as
though there was no such thing as snow
and cold and discomfort in the world.
She went around among the other ladies
cheering them up, telling them that the
storm was not half as bad as il might be,
and that help was sure to come soon.
She cheered them up immensely. There
was young man who seemed TO be
travelling with her as her ascort. lie did
not take the same view of affairs that
she did; he just growled aud growled,
first at the trainmen, ''they were q lazy
set :" then at the railroad company, 'fhey
did not care rap for the comfort OF
the passengers" then at the beastly
storm. When the men went out to cut
wood he did not go, she was not a
wood-chopper;" and when the little
woman asked him if he was going with
the men in search of some food he de.
clined with thanks in no very gentle
tone of voice, asking her If she Thought
him fool" Some of the male mem
bers of the company kind of clenched
their fists as they heard his harsh answer
10 her, and saw the panied expression
on her sweet face, but they said nothing,
only q muttering of something that
sounded like ''pitch him in snow
drift" at which his lordship glared
around, but no one flinched.
There was another young man in the
party who attracted attention, but
not In the same way as the escort OF
the schoolmarm. When anyone sug-
gested anything that promised relief, he
was volunteer TO try it; he cut wood
for while and then came back and
took snow in the water cooler 10
the engine and melted il for drinking
water for those in the car, and did a
dozen other little things TO smooth over
the discomforts OF the time. one thing
was noticeable, he studiously avoided
the little schoolmarm and her
escort. When the escort noticed him
working away his blonde moustache was
seen to curl, which proved that the lip
that bore IL was sneering. The little
schoolmarm looked rather strange at
times mt the active young man, and
when they chanced TO come near each
other, which was seldom, she avoided
his glance.
The hours of the night wore slowly
away, the men worked in relays at chop
ping wood; party with one AK in the
woods chopping another party with the
other AK was in the baggage car cutting
the wood into proper length TO go into
the stoves.
The active young man had helped pull
up the car seats and arrange them INTO
couches for the ladies, as being more
comfortable and easy than the seats
proper, and he kept bringing in large
armfuls of wood TO put in the stove.
The escort was walking up and down
like bear in cage, growing and in
everybodys way; he walked from one
car TO another and kept the doors on the
swing, letting in lots OF cold air aud
letting everybody know that he was
hungry. Somebody suggested to him
that there was plenty OF snow, and TO
help himself. He tried TO annihilate
the offender with glance.
The escort went into the baggage car
to watch them chop wood; a box stood
in his way and in passing he chanced to
strike his foot against it; this provoked
him and he gave It hard kick for spite.
The kick crushed in the side of the box
and out rolled cracker. This discovery
was hailed with delight.
"Here's a CO." exclaimed the escort,
az don't care who they belong to, I'm
going to help myself. Come, gentlemen,
help yourselves and take some in TO the
ladies"
There was no hesitation under the
circumstances they considered them
selves justified, and the crackers quickly
vanished out of the box. The baggage
master smiled a quiet smile when he
looked on the box and saw the name Of
the person TO whom it was being shipped.
The escort, after his supper OF crackers,
took the warmest and best scat by the
stove, and went to sleep.
J he gray dawn began to appear
through the still driving snow, and those
who had been sleeping began 10 rouse
from their itfu slumbers. All looked
wan and haggard. Several of the ladies
had been utterly prostrated from the
cold, hunger aud worry. Something
must be done II was suggested to max e
another attempt TO find a house, but the
bravest looked out at the binding, biting
storm, and shrunk back. The active
young man looked out at the storm aud de.
liberated a few moments; then buttoned
up his coat, pulled his cap down over his
cars, put on his gloves, and prepared 20
start ont. Where arc you goingP was
asked by several az am going 10 find
something for the relief Of these sick
women or get frozen, ] don't know
VIII CHI" SO saying he opened she door
and disappeared in the storm without.
The little schoOlmarm uttered n half
nrticulatc cry, and stretched forth her
hand ne ii 10 detain him, but he did not
see or hear her, and those who saw her
thought that it was from natural dis
like to sec anyone expose themselves TO
danger. The weary hours Of another day
began to drag along. Those who had not
forgotten TO wind up their watches tho
night before said that IL was near noon,
and the active young man had not rc.
turned. Some thought that be had
fallen ia drift and been frozen, others
guessed that he had found shelter, but
would not venture out again. The little
schOolmarm looked sober and anxious.
and more than once "a suspicious mois-
turc might have been detected ia her
bright eyes She wopt and convcr.ed
with her escort in a low tone, but he evil
IDENTIFY was out Of sorts and spoke very
gruny and said as hc handed
her some crackers: "If you are
hungry eat those" lie had filed
his pockets with the crackers she
gave the crackers 20 q child aud looked