Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-20
CROSSING THE RIVER.
A Pathetic Little Story Based on
 @ Railroad Accident.
Ben Went to Sleep First. but His Faithful Rachel Followed Him 0uickly-Both Were Ready to Meet Their Maker
 and to Receive Their Reward.


 Engineer Dimmick, of the Chicago ex- press, 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 H. Maher in the Toledo Blade. This had made him unusually careful, but as he reached Sherman's crossing a little behind time he began to lose his fear. He opened the throttle of old 90, intending to gain a 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 a farmer driving furiously toward it as if to cross ahead of the train.
 It was suicide!
 Dimmick sent out heart-breaking sig nal to the brakeman, reversed the en- zine, 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 a phy- slclan among the passengers? Yes, two.
 A hurried examinat tion and consulta- tion. The man was undoubtedly fatally hurt; the woman probably so.
 They were tenderly carried to MT. Richards house near by, and tho phy- sicians were told that if they 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 hurried to their places; some with white faces st the thought that it might have been themselves; others full of the impor tance participation i'll the event would give them and their story, and others, forgetting themselves, thinking only of the sorrow brought to others.
 MT. 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- CTS had arrived the father was moan ing, but the mother had opened her eyes.
 Late in the night, after hours of
  the mother spoke:
 'How is father?''
 He is still unconscious, but is we'll taken care off. Here is something for you; now don | worry: don't think; just go to sleep again. Her son spoke to her.
 ''I must go to father"
 '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 Ut her keenly, saying, in a 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 it was of 10 avail. They moved her bed beside her husbands; she at tempted to take his hand, but could not. His sten torious breathing seemed to make no impression upon her.
 s'As father going to die?" sho asked. I2ae weeping daughter nodded. N ou must keep quiet for your own sake, mother"
 "We've been married over forty gil :: years," she said to the doctor, ''bu. we've known each othcr all our lives .
 You mustn't J:,Ii,. mother"
 We was raised side Ey side: he toot- care on mo when Mc went to :ch&oi to- gether; he's aI~ayS took care on nc. Put me on my s4do moro. sos l can see him better."
 ''Mother, you must stop thinking and talking" She paid no heed.
 ..S,o,,,z ,, 1;+-l., H.; |, ago since we was married: but it's over forty-eight year. We was talkin' of our golden weddin' this very week. Bcn"' The son put his hands on her lips to silence her, but the doctor whispered: ''Better let her talk T little. Shes be- yond control
 The gray-headCd husband seemed to hear her call; he opened his eyes, breathed less noisily. struggled with his voice, and then managed to whisper: ''Rachel."
 ''Here I am, Beniamin;' and tur1sng her eyes to the daughter, put my hand in his"
 They laid her poor, wrinkled hand on his hard, knotty fingers. ''Is this morning, Rachel?" 'No, it ain't; you just lie still. You 1 see,' said she, turning her eyes to the others, ''he thinks it's time to get up" ''Rachel.' Iii a 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 me?"
 Its very light. wife. but I-cant-- see-you." The doctor motioned to the children | that the end was near.
 Put my face on his, Susy: yes. l know he's going, but 'tan'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