Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-28
HER BEN.

HER BEN.
Chicago Times: Engineer Dim.
mick, of the Chicago express,
said he had been in nervous
dread of an accident from the moment
he pulled out of the Lake Shore depot
in Chicago, writes William III. Maher
in the Toledo Blade. This had made
him unusually careful, but as he reached
Sherman's crossing. little behind
time, he began to lose his fear; he
opened the throttle of old 80, intending
to gain few minutes in the remaining
eight miles between there and Toledo.
He started to signal for the crossing,
just this side of the trees, when, horror!
he saw u farmer drive furiously toward
it as if to C ross ahead of the train.
1t was suicidel
Dimmicl sent out heart breaking
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 part OF
the wagon was on the headlight, the
horses were 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 phys
iciau among the passengers? Yes, two.
A hurried examination and consulta-
tion. The man was undoubtedly fatally
hurt; the woman probably SO.
They were tenderly carried to Mr..
Richards house near by and the physi-
clans were told that if they would stay
until the local practitioner was found u
locomotive would be sent back for them
in an hour. They agreed to stay. The
bell rang; travellers hurried to their
places; some. with white faces at the
thought that it might have been them
selves; others full of the importance q
participation in the event would give
them and their story, and others, for
getting themselves, thinking only OF
the sorrow brought to others.
Mr.. Richards placed his house at the
command of the physicians. Stimulants
were administered, and when the fami-
ly doctor and the children of the suffer-
ers had arrived the father was moaning,
but the mother had opened her eyes.
Late in the night, after hours of
faithful and incessant labor over them,
the mother spoke.
SHOW is father?"
He is still unconscious. bat 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.
.'[ must go to father"
s'You mustn't think of it, mother.
You are very badly hurt yourself. You
must be very quiet"
Il must go to father, he needs me"
The physician looked at her keenly,
saying, in a low tone, to the son: Il
think we had better tix place for her
MI ha 10 for
otherwise"
The son coaxed and argued with her.
but it was of no avail. They moved her
bed beside her husbands; she attempt
ed to take his hand, but could not. His
stentoriOus breathing seemed to make
no impression upon her.
us 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, but
we'vo known each other all our lives. !"
"You mustn't talk, mother"
"We was raised side by side; he took
care On me when we went to school to-
gether; he always took care on me. Put
me on my side more, SOS can see him
better"
"Mother, you must stop thinking and
talking" She paid no heed.
''Seems IS if 'twan't but little while
ago since we was married; but it's over
forty-eight year. We was talkin' of our
golden weddin' this very week. Ben!"
The son put his hand on her lips to
silence her, but the doctor whispered:
Better let her talk little. She's be-
yond control"
The gray-haired husband seemed to
hear her call; he opened his eyes,
breathed less noisily, struggled with his
voice, and then managed to whisper:
"Rachel.o
Here [ am, Benjamin," and turning
her eyes to her daughter, put my hand
in his"
They laid her poor Srinkled hand on
his hard, knotty fingers.
us it morning, Rachel"
mo, it amt; you just lie still. You
see," said she, turning her eyes to the
others, "he thinks it's time to get up. F"
"Rachel!" In very low whisper it
came.
"Yes, Ben; I'm right here beside
YOU"
Tell jim to milk this morning."
"Yes, yes; that's all attended to. Can
you see meI"
Its very light, wife, but I-can't-
see-you."
The doctor motloned to the children
that the end was near.
"Put my face on his, Susy; yes, !
know he's going, but 'tain't for long;
lift me over to him."
They lifted her face to his; his eyes
opened; he smiled-and passed away.
They carried the mother back to her
own pillow, and were glad to see her
quietly go TO sleep.
And in that sleep she crossed the
river to her Ben.