Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-08-24
sHEPHERDsTOWN, W. VA, FRIDAY, AUGUST "a, 1888.

| 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 scarcely lessened
force. Again the barrier was brushed
aside, bat this time the speed of the
old wreck was perceptibly less. By
the time the fifth obstruction was
reached the newcomer was able tC
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 or
toward the precipice.
We'll, the man jumped just as they
reached the edge, just before his We
hicle shot over into the air, but had
little time to choose his ground, and
so 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 he came TO life in the
middle Of the festiv-the obsequies,
mean-and it was found that he was
only crippled for life.
The miners, folks not easily moved
were enthusiastic about the affair, and
/ gave such testimonials as they could
to show their gratitude and apprecia-
ton. One of these expressions took
the form of a souvenir, signed by ev-
| cry man in the place and stating III
very grandiloquent language what
/ the poor fellow had done. His quick
wit seemed to them more wonderful
/ than his courage and devotion, in a
community where neither quality is
unusual at all.
The man that takes his own life in
his hand every daY, and has frequent
ly to fight for the life of some compan-
ion, values 'brainy' action. In the
box with the testimonials was a purse
of fifty dollars and a curious old gold
cross that had been treasured by the
mother of the lad who was saved as
her one piece of finery. On it rudely
engraved were these words:
"'Given by the miners at the north
to the man who risled his life for a
child
That was all The poor fellow
went away and would have been for
gotten only that the old miners told
the story sometimesto their children. y
The prisoner was looking out of the
window. The conductor rustled as
though ashamed of the interest he
had shown in the story-a story which
he had no doubt was pure fiction.
Only the brakeman gave away to his
sympathy, and asked whether the man
had ever been found
Not that | know of, replied the de
tective.
And was you the boy what he
savedT'
Il was the kid
And you never heerd tell what be-
came of the man-what would you do
if you sh'd come acrost him some
timer Evidently the brakeman had
an imagination which was trying to
assert itself.
"Oh, I'd try to even the thing up
somehow. suppose common decen-
cy would demand that; I'd treat him
as. well | knew how"
Look here, said the prisoner, turn
ing from the window with an appar-
ent effort to change the conversation
which. for some reason, had not seemed
TO interest him-'look here, old man,
I've got little keepsake that story
just reminded me Of, and if could get
it I'd ask you to take charge of it for
me till-till this thing is over. If you
will put your hand in there and pull
out that bit of ribbon; So
The conductor almost jumped out
of his seat. Blame me if it amt the
cross that you've just been telling me
about he shouted.
4 month later the detective was un-
dergoing a cross examination by the
conductor and brakeman.
Yes, he was bad lot-oh. yes, he
didn't have a leg to stand upon; the
facts were all as clear as day. All true
about cross and the rest Of it? 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 be apt to punish
him till they catch him, | guess. Fact
is, he got away from Inc somehow that
same night. Who, me? Oh, no. I'm
not on the force any more; I've been
bounced.