San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-03-02

engine and the doomed train-I could see the
white face Of the guard as he frantically sig
nailed to the driver, and held my breath in
agony as waited for the crash knew must
come. But the brakes were telling-we were
slackening speed-the driver was putting on
the utmost pressure. Oh, for two short min
utes more!
| could bear it no longer. l was completely
unnerved by those fearful minutes, which
seemed like lifetime Of misery. | fancied
the buffers were actually touching, and max
ing an effort to turn from the sight, tainted
dead away.
When | camo round again was lying on
the ground; Jem, with face as white as a
sheet, was kneeling beside me- and a gentle
man was bathing my head and face with
cold water. remembered all about it
directly, and looked anxiously at Jem, dread
ing to ask any questions Jem knew what
wanted.
'Its all right" he said hoarsely. "She got
away-we didn't touch"
Thank God for thatr' said; and then it
all came over me once more, and ! nearly
went of again.
Some one lifted my head and gave me
something to drink, and presently | opened
my eyes and saw was at a station where we
were timed to stop while the express went by
Have you shunted her, Jemp | asked
eagerly.
"Yes, it's all right, said Jem again. ''The
fast isn't due yet"
lay still a minute or two, and then | tried
to raise myself on my elbow, but a horrible
pain shot through me, and | could not help
giving bit of groan as | sank down again.
"You must not try to move" said the gen
tleman kindly putting his hand lightly on
my shoulder to prevent my getting up
Keep quite still, my poor fellow"
Something in his grave face struck me, and
began to suspect what he meant; but some
low in the relief at finding nothing hao hap
pened did not seem to care much
cts all up with me, is it, sir" | said.
"Wel, I'm thankful it's no worse"
ooh Dick, Dick" Jem burst forth.
"Don'tl DON'T I've killed you, Dick! n
Never mind, Jem," / managed to say.
you didn't mean TO do it." Then thought
of something. Look here, Jem, don't
know how it came about. l didn't see any
signals; am certain they were not up ou'
there's no use your getting into mess Lei
them tank it was me"
Il won't! | WON'T" Jem burst out. IL
was all my fault don't care what they 90
to me, only get well, Dick"
1T wasn't altogether your DOING" went
on, trying to comfort him. IL slipped some
how IL doesn't matter-and they may as
well think it was the reasOn-we didn't stop
sooner Promise me you'll say nothing
about yourself, Jem-if you can helplt. FRO,
mise Inc that" was getting very faint and
feeling horribly bad.
You must promise what he asks" heard
the doctor say, and, almost as if he was In
dream, Jem repeated:
IL promise, Dick"
Give my love to Bessie" went on, try,
ing to speak clearly; land, Jem, do keep
straight now-do give it up now"
Il Will, indeed / wilI!' Jem exclaimed,
with a shudder, and, taking both my hands
in his, he said so determinedly, that this time
knew he meant it. God helping me, Will
never touch another drop Of drink as long as
live"
That's all right" l said. "Now you'll
take care of Bessie"
Just at this moment, with great rush, the
express Numbered through.
Now be off, Jem. Take the train on to
the junction, and tell them that | have had
an accident, and they must put on another
man. There's sure to be some one there
You'll see to it, won't you, Stevens" Our
guard, who was a great friend Of mine, came
up Just then. "Jcm can drive as well as
can, if he's careful. GOod-by, Jem, do so at
once. don't want to be late"
Il won't 80, said poor Jem, throwing him
self down beside me- II won't, can't leave
you Like this, Dick"
IN take care of him." the gentleman said,
in q kind tone You may trust me to do
the best can for him The sooner you go
the better; you are only making him worse
now Leave him to me- and | will go back
with HIM to the hospital at Wrotham and see
that he is attended to at once"
Jem only muttered something in low tone,
to which the gentleman replied, "Oh, no!
you'll see him tomorrow"
Il shall be all right, Jem; do go. Stevens,
take him away" and the guard, putting his
arm through Jem's, almost dragged him to
the engine.
AS soon as he had gone said to the gentle
man who was looking down at me as if he
felt for US both, "Wil you lift me up, sir, to
see him start"
He knelt down beside me and raised me
very gently, till was leaning against him.
| watched the train back from the siding,
and i'll few minutes it came up on the main
line, poor Jem leaning over to look at me as
it passed. | waved my hand to him, in
spite of the pain the slightest movement
gave me, and that was the last time saw
my dear old engine
could not help giving a moan as my new
friend laid me down again, and, oddly
enough, as if he knew what | was thinking
Of, he said: lone thing is far better than