Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1889-12-13
The Two Aged Lovers.

iiiO WV f1SOd LOVSTS.
Engineer Dimmick, of the Chicago
express, said he had been in nervous
dread of an accident from the mo-
ment he pulled out of the Lake Shore
depot in Chicago. This had made
him unusually careful, but as he
reached Sherman's crossing, u little
behind time, he began to lose his fear;
he opened the throttle of old 90, in
tending to gain few minutes in the
remaining eight miles between there
and Toledo. He started to signal
the crossing, Just this side of the
trees, when horror! he saw farmer
driving furiously toward it, as
if to cross ahead of the train.
1t was suicide Dimmck sent
out heart cracking signal to the
brakeman, reversed the engine, put
on air brakes, knowing all the time
the train could not be stopped this
side of the crossing, and then shut
his eyes and prayed.
When the engine stopped q part OF
the wagon was on the headlight, the
horses wero distributed along the
track, and two old people were lying
near the fence. Dimmick was the first
to reach them. They both breathed.
Was there a physician among the
passengers? Yes, two. A hurried
examination and consultation. The
man was undoubtedly fatally hurt;
the woman probably so, They were
tenderly carried to Mr.. Richards
house near by, and the physicians
were told thatifthey would stay until
the local practitioner could be found
a locomotive would be sent back for
them in an hour. They agreed to
stay.-The bell rang; travellers hur-
rled to their places; some with white
faces at the thought that it might
have been themselves; Others full of
the Importance n participation in
the event would give them and their
story, and Others, forgetting them
selves. thinking only of the sorrow
brought to others. Mr.. Richards
placed his house at the command of
the physicians. Stimulants were ad-
ministered, and when the family doc
tor and the children of the sufferers
had arrived, the father was moaning,
but the mother had opened her eyes.
Later in the night, after hours of
faithful and incessant labor over
them, the mother spoke. "How is
father? is still unconscious.
but is well 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.-I
must go to father. '-"You mustn't
think oft, mother. You are very
badly hurt, yourself You must be
very quiet. ~ must go to father;
he needs me. The physician looked
ut her keenly. saying. in low tone,
to the son, II think we had better
fix place for her near him. She will
never he content otherwise" The
son eoaxed and argued with her,
but it was of no avail. They moved
her bed beside her husband s; she at
tempted to take his hand, but could
not. His stertorious breathing
seemed to make no impression upon
her. as father going to die" she
asked. The weeping daughter nod
ded. You must keep quiet for your
own sake, mother. "-''We've been
married over forty-eight years."
she said to the doctor, 'but
we've known each other all
our lives. "-"You mustn't talk
er, mother. 1--we was raised
side by side, he took care of me
when we went to school together; he's
always took care of me. Put me on
my side more, SOS | can see him bet
ter. "-"Mother you must stop think
ing and talking"
She paid no heed. "Seem's if
'twan't but little while ago since we
was married; but it's over forty-eight
years. We was talkin' of our golden
weddin' this very week, BENZ The
sun put his hands on her lips to ST.
ence her, but the dortor whispered:
: Better let her talk little. ''She's
beyond control" The grey-headed
husband seemed to hear her call; he
opened his eyes, breathed less noisily.
struggled with his voice and then
managed to whisper, "Rachel. y
Here l am, Benjamin" and turning
Ter eyes to the daughter, "put
ny hand in his" They laid
Ter poor wrinkled hand in his
lard, knotted fingers. ''Is it morn
ng, Rachel?''-"Oh, it amt YOU
ust lie still. You sce,' said she,
urning her eyes to the others, che
kinks its time to get "-"Rach-
IT. Ina very whisper came. "Yes,
Sen I'm right here beside you."-
Tell Jim to milk this morning.
Yes, yes; that's all attended to.
an you see me?''-"It's very light,
'ife, but l-can't-see-you." The
,octor motioned to the children that
ne end was near. 'Put my face on
is. Susy; yes, know he's going,
ut it faint for long; lift me over
0 him. They lifted her face to his;
is eyes opened; hesmiled-and pass
d away. They carried the mother
ack to her own pillow, and we were
lad to see her quietly go to sleep.
nd in that sleep she crossed over
a l..ta l.