Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1889-07-11
CHAPTER l.
H14hI I1It l.
A PROIrD GrRria nrrpArr

CHAPTER /.
A PROUD GIRLS DESPAIR
NO more need we wander around and eIoft
for maryels to bind into fancy's sheayes:
Healitys self is stranger oft
IMAM the ARREST tissue that fiction weavea
1t was about noon of chill Noyember
Gay, not many years ago, tbs. was wend.
ing my way toward my cottage home in
harlem, when my attention was arrested
by very beautiful and richly dressed
young lady who brushed by me impetu.
ousiy, and, pursuing the same direction
was gong, hurried across some omen.
grass grown lots, toward broad space be-
tween the railroad station and the river
that was covered by a network of tram
ways, and, fianked by neglected fields. re-
pair Bishops, car-sheds and the like. was
constantly busy at that hour of the day
with unprepared trains. detached cars, and
locomotives speeding hither and thither.
and being switched from one track to an
other.
had never seen the young lady before,
to the best of my recollection. But her
great beauty, combined with wild, de-
sspairing look. which noticed as she sped
by me. impelled me at once to slightly de-
vlate from my intended road and hurry
after her IN her somewhat Grant course.
It was well that did SO.
just at the edge of the abrupt field bluff,
fronting upon the dangerous net work Of
rails, she momentarily disappeared behind
clump of weeds and bushes. When l
again brought her in view she was stand
ing a little to my left, beside one of the
tracks, making wild and despairing gest.
ures which left no room for doubt that she
was possessed of the suicidal intention of
casting herself directly across the rails in
front of detached locomotive that was
hooting along the track from the direction
to my right. with noiseless and deadly
speed.
uttered Mortified cry, and sprang down
the slight embankment. But | had done
no more than this before she threw her
self PROSTATE athwart the rails, and chung
there, crouchingly, awaiting most shock
ing fate.
The engineer and fireman on the engine
saw her at that moment but could only
raise warning yell; there was no time to
even slacken speed. A switchman came
rushing toward the spot from an engine
snop opposite, but was preposterously too
distant TO be of service
AS for me, was about midway between
the iron, horse and its threatened victim.
Ihey were scarcely twenty yards apart,
and the first glance showed me that it
would be impossible for me to reach her in
Tune to drag her from the rails For a
single instant my heart was in my throat,
slckening sensation overspread me, and
then-well, then my presence of mind re-
asserted itself. and just did the only and
best thing to do in the emergency.
wrecked the locomotive.
A pile of heavy oaken ties CHANGED to be
at my side, and, hastily catching up one Of
these. cast it directly under the driving
wheels Just as they were whizzing by me.
Ihere was crash, shout and the roar
OF escaping steam, and over keeled the
engine, humping along few feet further
upon the timber and gravel, only to plunge
over at last upon its side into shallow
ditch where 1t lay, little the worse for the
tumble, but putting and blowing, and with
both the engineer and fireman scrambling
out of the gully on the further side, good
deal more astonished than hurt.
But neither thought nor cared much
ABOUT them at the moment. | had no
sooner effected the obstruction than /
rushed down the track, and the next in
slant the would-be suicide was in my arms.
She had tainted, and was using the best
means at my command to restore her, when
the engineer came limping up, followed by
the fireman and switchman.
Mr.. Piercer, you've PLAYED the old
scratch with my engine, said he. for nv
business as a detective had made me pretty
well known in the vicinity.
Under the circumstances, was there
anything better to dor" l asked.
"N-n-n-o; don't know as there was, =
he said, scratching his head and glancine
at his assistants, who nodded, as though
reluctantly compelled to approve of nv
action.
No one was hurt, was there?"
"Not that is, reckon not"
Engine not materially damaged, eh?-
Not to speak Of But then. YOU see.
I'm responsible. and the COMPANY"
State the case accurately to the direct
ors. and I'll be bound they won't grumble."
said i, impatiently. In the meantime.
fetch some water, quick! The smell of
my spirit flask seems to produce no effec.
upon this poor creature. >"
They had been eying her with pityino
interest from the first, and now eagerly
emulated each other in hurrying away to
execute my command. But my lovely
charge fortunately showed signs of recov-
ering consciousness before their return.
and, anxious to spare her the curious
crowd that would inevitably soon collect
upon their report of what had occurred. /
half supported. halt carried her from the
scene.
In few minutes had her away across
the fields, and in little nook between two
stunted trees overlooking a roadway, where
l felt sure we would escape observation.
Here, in few moments, she was herself
again. and. barring little bewiderment
and shame facednass at the recollection of
what had happened. and which 1 did not
fail to re-enforce with gentle reprimand.
she evinced an extraordinary amount of |
self-command and quiet dignity, consid- |
ering her youth and inexperience.
have to thank you for rescuine me |
from my mad and wicked purpose, SIR"
said she. frankly extending her hand. Il
must, indeed. have been mad beside nv
self--to have entertained such wicked de-
sign
You live here in Harlem?"
AT The Aspens.'"
l started With surprise, and then expe-
rienced species of revelation, as glanced
anew at her dress, portions of which ap-
pearinR below and through the folds of
her heavy cloak, together with the dainty
white satin CATERS, and glimpses Of an
elaborate head-dres beneath her hood.
betrayed the habiliments Of bride.
sYes. she continued, quickly appre-
bending the extent of my divination.
there was to have been grand wedding
there thu m0ruirO and ,roa m bavo 49,