Telegram-herald., 1889-11-13
CROSSING THE RIVER.
A PaEher1c Little story Based GA
= Railroad Accident
Bsn wsnt - sleep FlFst. ozs His fAasofal
Eseasl Follossd HiEs oaleSly hotA
Were Ready - Meet rhslx Makes
and G. Eseelss T1slr Ess@E1

80 E-1-~.ss L4-E - -
Engineer Dimmick, of the Chicago ez-
prszs, sait be had been ia nervous dread
cl az accident from the moment 10
ullle1 o-t ~ the Lake shore depot II
Cblcago, writes william II. Maher IL
the Toled0 Blade. This hsd made him
unusually c4refal. but ss 10 re@ched
Sherudn's crossing little behind tlme
he began % loss his fear lie opened
The thr0trle Of old %, intending % gaia
few minutes IN the remaining eight
miles between there and Toledo lie
started % signal Tor the crossing Just
this side Of the trees when, horror! he
saw a farmer driving furi0asly toward u
a. II 70 cross ahead OF the train
IL was suicide.
Dlnmlck sent cut = heart-breaking sig
nal 10 tne brakeman, reversed the en-
CINE. put on Air-brzkes, knowing al the
tine tle train could n0s be stopped this
side of the crossing. and then shut his
eyes and prayed.
When the engine stopped part Of the
wagon was on the headlight, the horses
we're distributed along the track and
Two old people were lying near the
fence.
Dimmick was the first 20 reach them.
They both breathed. Was there ply
siclan among the passengers? Yes, two.
A hurried examination and cOnsulta-
ton. The man Was undoubtedly fatally
hurt; the woman probably 50.
They were tenderly carried to Mr..
Richards house near by, and the ply
sicians were told that If they would stay
until the local practitioner could DO
found u locomotive would be sent back
for them in an hour. They agreed 10
stay. The bell rang; travellers hurried
10 their places; some with white faces
at the thought that il might have been
themselves; others fun Of the impor-
tance participation in the event would
give them and their story, and others,
forgetting themselves, thinking only Of
the sorrow brought 10 others
Mr.. Richards placed his house at the
command Of the physicians. Stimulants
were administered, and when the fami-
~ doctor and the children of the suffer
ers had arrived the father was moan
ing. but the mother had opened her
eyes.
Late in the night, after hours of
faithful and incessant labor over them,
the mother spoke:
''IIow is father?"
''He is still unconscious, but is we'll
taken care of. Here is something for you;
now don't worry; don't think; just go to
sleep again" Her son spoke to her.
81 must go to father"
"You mustn't think Of it, mother.
You are very badly hurt yourself. You
must be very quiet"
II must go TO father; he needs me-"
The physician looked at her keenly,
saying, in low tone, to the son;
Il think we had better fix a place for
her near him. She Will never be con-
tent otherwise.
The son coaxed and argued with her,
but IL was Of no avail. They moved
her bed beside her husbands; she at
tempted to take his hand, but could not.
His stem torious breathing seemed to
make no impression upon her.
"Is father going to die?" she asked.
The weeping daughter nodded. "You
must keep quiet for your own sake,
mother"
We've been married over forty-eight
years" she said to the doctor, "bu.
we've known each other all our lives. :"
"You mustn't talk, mother"
eve was raised aide by side; he took
care on me when we went TO school to-
gether; he's always took care on mo.
Put me on my side more, SOS can see
him better"
Mother, you must stop thinking and
talking" She paid no heed.
Seems 5 if 'twa'n't but little while
,go since we was married; but it's over
forty-eight year. We was talkin' of our
golden weddin' this very week. Benz"
The son put his hands on her lips to
silence her, but the doctor whispered:
Better let her talk little. She's be-
yond control"
The gray-headed husband seemed 20
hear her call; he opened his eyes.
breathed less noisily, struggled with his
voice. and then managed TO whisper:
Rachel"
-Here I am, benjamin" and turning
her oves 70 the daughter, put my hand
in his"
They laid her poor, wrinkled hand on
his hard, knotty fingers.
"Is this morning, Rachel2"
$50, it ain't: you just lie still. You
see" said she, turning her eyes to the
others. "he thinks its time TO get up"
RACHEL" In a very low whisper il
camo.
yes. Ben; I'm righthere beside you. Z"
"Teil Jim % milk this morning"
eyes, yes; that's all attended 70. Can
you see me?'
cts very light, wife, but I-oan't-
see you"
Tho doctor motioned 70 the children
that the end was near.
"Pus my face on his, Susy: Tes, 7
know he's going. but 'an't for long.
lift ne over 30 him"
They lifted her face 20 his; his eyes
opened; ao smiled-aud passed away.
They carried The mother back % her
ovn pillow and were glad 20 see her
quietly 90 70 sleep.
AID in tbat sleep she crossed the river
% her Ben.