Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-12-12

dozen as unfortunate as themselves.
Some were silent, others were bewailing
the fate Of friends and relatives.
do you know" Rose asked one of the
women who found shelter in this humble
home, "how far ii is to the first station
where one is sure to find train?"
If you are going down the river-you
can't possibly go up now-it is good five
mile walk"
We will go there early tomorrow"
said Rose to the mother. rNow let's try
to Sleep"
The. hostess could only give them Q
quilt. Her means were exhausted. Rose
thanked her warmly, and in less than two
minutes these two wanderers were sound
asleep in each others arms on the floor.
When they woke up early in the morn
ing they were hungry and thirsty. They
found the water, drank heartily, then
hastened away in spite of all the hostess
could say to prevent them. She wanted
them to stay at least until she could give
them o cup of coffee. Finding them res
olute, she gave them large slices of bread
| with molasses on it. She was very poor,
| living apart from others. But there were
tears in her eyes as she hoped God would
! care for them as they walked on in the
( gray of the morning.
Il must go down the river" the mother
said; while Rose Somers did not care
which direction they travelled so that she
could find means to communicate with
l the world.
1t was long, weary walk to the sta.
| tion. The day was we'll advanced as they
| approached the railway station at New
Florence. A group of men stood about.
Can you tell us when train will bt
here, sir?"
The man looked at her. He OWNED
the truth in a moment.
%No, ma'am. There may be one here
in half an hour-it may be in the after
noon. Nobody knows"
Are you employed on the railroad?"
@Yes'm = that's why said no on,
knows. You want to go DOWN."
| "Yes-anywhere."
There's lots like you; 60 over to tina
house-it's full of them. Fifty, gues
-more'n can find room in the train.
/ The travellers walked to the house. !
was full of people who were distracted
with doubts and fears.
As they sat down on the porch, Ros,
stopped and quietly removed the shoe
Miss Franklin gave her. They were fall
ing apart. The mother, who was nov
known to Rose as Mrs. Vern, did tn
same. One of the soles of her shoe
had dropped off, She showed Rose he
foot. 1t was bleeding.
"I don't care. I could walk over stone
or hot iron, if thought could find m
baby"
Fortunately they were not compelled
to wait long. In less than an hour
train came up the road. 1t containe'
people who were bent on securing tn
living, and who were there to bury tn
dead. When it returned to Pittsburg
bore away upwards of two hundred VIII
had escaped the great food. Survivor
were picked up at every station until ther
was no room for more. The aisles wer
jammed with men, women, and children
Fortunately, Rose and her companio
found seat before the train becam
crowded. Weary and faint they fel
sound asleep long before the train file
up. They slept SO soundly that all tn
, noise and confusion and the constan
blowing of the whistle did not distur
them seriously. They reused themselve
at times, but they were never thorough
wide awake until they arrived at Pitts
burg, when q trainman shook Ros
, roughly, placing hand on her shoulder
, saying:
Here, my man; get up"
! Rose started and looked upat him. Th
! hat fell back from her head.
Excuse me, madame, L"
, @You are quite excusable," said Ros,
Thanks for your kindness" ,
Then as the companions stepped out o
the platform Mrs. Vern said:
, THANK God! Now we may learn somt
! thing"