Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-12-19
ABridefor anHour.
A Thrilling Story Of the Johns
f. town Disaster.
BY DAVID LOWRY.
BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER XIV.

THE CUP OF JOY.
All about the foodl" @AlI about the
Conemaugh hoodl"
A score of newsboys were crying their
wares at one time.
"ohl let me see paper" said Mrs.
Vern.
The newsboy held out a paper, and his
hand was still extended when Rose
Somers suddenly bethought herself.
we have no money, child-we are Just
from Johnstown. This lady is looking
for news"
That's all right. Hope she'll find
good news. No, don't want no money
from you folks-Pd rather let you have
some. Here-heres a quarter-honest
now"
Rose could scarcely restrain her tears
at this evidence of sympathy. They
both hastened into q corner where they
could scan the paper.
"There Therel See that. They've
found o baby-and it laughed. In q
cradle, too"
Mrs. Vern was aglow with excitement
as she pointed out the paragraph to Rose
Somers. Rose read it with increasing
interest.
who knowsP 1t may be yours, Mrs.
Vern. There is o chance"
IF there is only one in ten thousand
I'll thank God. Where is the place. l
must 60 there at once-nowl"
Where is VeronaP" Rose inquired of
q man near her.
six or seven miles up the Allegheny
Valley road"
when is there train going?" asked
Mrs. Vern. I'VE must go at once"
The trainman looked at them. His
face softened. He spoke with Difference
seeing he addressed two women in mems
attire. 1t was not a new thing to him.
Dozens of women had come from the
Conemaugh in mems attire-they could
not find any women's raiment up there.
III put you aboard train in few
minutes. You don't need any fare. We
are carrying you people Free"
Presently he returned and led them to
car. Five minutes later they were on
their way to Verona.
On the way Mrs. Vern was alternately
smiling and crying. Smiling with the
hope that sprang up suddenly in her
heart-crying when she thought of the
thousand chances against her.
When they reached Verona she was in
such q condition that she was afraid to
go further. She wished Rose Somers
would make inquiry if the babe found in
the cradle was there; and, if SO, it might
be her own.
Rose Somers soon learned all that was
to be discovered.
Then Mrs. Vern became more nervous
She clung to her companion despairingly.
Rose encouraged her. 1t would soon be
settled one way or the other.
They were approaching Jack Awards
house now. Jack was at home. He was
chucking baby up in the air, while his
wife looked on. Some oftheir neighbors,
who were never satisfied looking at the
~baby that came down in the food. were
also there.
Mrs. Vern got one glimpse at the babe
as it was tossed into the air. With cry
that was like scream she rushed from
Mrs. Somers' side, darted around the
corner and into the house, and ere Jack
Award had time to speak ract, the child
was snatched out of his arms and strained
passionately to Mrs. Vern's breast.
Then the women cried, and Jacks ewes
grew moist. There was no need for
words. The scene explained itself.
This woman, wearing a farmers
"wamus," was the babes mother. The
other woman, dressed in mans garb, was
friend-both from the regions devastat-
ed by the food.
AS the news spread through the town,
half the people ran to see the visitors,
especially the mother of the child Jack
Award found in the river. And half the
town expressed genuine regret that they
were to lose Moses No. e." :
Meanwhile the women were eager in
kind Offices to Mrs. Vern and Rose.
Half dozen had good dresses that they
we're sure would fit them nicely. In less
than ten minutes Jack Award declared
there was enough to fill dry goods store
piled into his house.
At She end of an hour the newcomers
were dressed beeomingly and sitting at
Jack Awards table, where there was al
ways an abundance. Mrs. Vern and her
companion were fitted in gloves, shoes
and bonnets. 1t was a merry-making
time altogether.
The touch of nature that makes the
world akin brought tears to the eyes of
half the men, as we'll as the women, when
the mother and child were leaving.
First, Mrs. Vern telegraphed to Johns
town that she was well and had her baby
with her. She was going straight to a
Ir1eQQ VINO lived at blalrSVllle.
Two hours after they entered Verona
theywere standing at the station waiting
for train. There was a large crowd
around them, attracted by curiosity. They
were waiting for the westward tram, pur-
posing to return to the city, and once
there Mrs. Vern would take another train
and go to Blairsville. Mrs. Somers would
remain in the city.
While they we're looking out of win
dow, train bound eastward stopped al
the station. Several persons leaped to
the ground. One young man with un-
shaven face and piece of plaster over
his temple, looked eagerly around him as
he stood firmly on the ground. He
glanced at the crowd in and around the
station. Then his eyes CHANGED upon q
face at one of the windows.
The young man uttered an exclamation
and rushed into the part of the station
set aside for women. Mr.. Vern gave Q
little shrek at the same moment.
Her companion had sunk quietly down
N the seat beside her in dead faint.
When she regained consciousness
everyone knew husband and wife separ.
ated by the great food were happily re-
united.
CHAPTER XIV.
MR.. PETERS SPECIAL PRLsENT.
Mrs Somers first thou pht was of thai,