Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-03-08

| W. 90 oA0
"No,D said the child, "because
knew that you were driving"
"Well, bye-bye," said the man
ss he left.
"Bye.bye, papa" said the child
throwing herself into his arms.
The train started and gradually
reached an extraordinary speed.
worship children, and | began 10
examine the little one in front of
me. She was full Of life aud good
humor. She amused herself with
everything and nothing, csjolIng
with her mother, inquisitive with
the window, severe with her doll.
She was carrying on a thousand
different conversations all at once,
and with q noise that was almost
destening, when suddenly the gen.
tlemsn IN the other corner eI-
claimed.
DECIDEDLY We are going too
fast. The train will surely run of
the track"
"Oh, don't be afraid" said the
child seriously papa is driving
The oficer Was reading. He
looked out OF the window, and
then resumed his reading without
making any observation.
The other gentleman again be.
gan to talk.
"This is certainly Madness he
said. "Yet, madam he continued |
addressing the lady, "your has
band Is either drunk or crazy"
ooh, sir" said the lady, "my
husband never gets drunk. You
Jaw him a little while ago. Ger
tsinIy the train is going at furi'
GUS rate. Idon't quite understand |
it,"
The officer closed his book and
stretched himself along the seat.
~ would advised you to do the
same. II you keep seated your
legs will be smashed. Remember |
the Versailles accident.
Certainly the train was running
at a terrifying rate. What in the
world could the engineer mean by
such, driving. 81 am afraid y said
the citizen, white with terror.
Then the officer took me aside.
"Here 10 my name and address,
said he. "If | sm killed or NOR
tally wounded in the accident to
which We are running, and you
escape, promise me now that you
will carry these dispatches with.
out a moments delay to the Gen.
eral whose nsmo you will 6nd by
opening this envelope
promised.
The woman took the child in
her arms and covered her little
face with tears and kisses. She
seemed TO Wish to make q rampant
of herself to protect the little one
against the frightful smash up that
was momentarily expected.
81 am not afraid" said the child,
smiling. "papa is driving' And
she alone among all on board the
train had faith aud confidence.
We could hear in the other cars
cries of terror and wsilings of
despair, and 10 spite of the mother,
the child leaned out of the window
in the back door and shouted out
with all the force of it's little lungs
"DOn't he afraid papa is diving"
All that sweet little girl, in the
general terror, waS a tower OF
strength with that sacred love If a
Guild for a father-an affection
that nothing can break down.
Gradually the train slowed and
then came TO standstill. We
we're vt station. The engineer
came to the door.
awe have been going very FAST"
said be, "But at all hazards We
must get to Reims before the
Prussians. That we must do at
the risk OF being blown up or
smashed to pieces on the way. Pm
told we are carrying important dis
patches and he lookeh ut his lit.
tie girl With tears in his eyes.
"Give me your hand,' said the
officer. "You are q brave iellew.
1t 10 Who have the dispatehes.7
"Bn route ~ then said the man,
aud be gave a parting glance ct the
fair form OF his child as II to bid her
farewell. But Jeanne was not
afraid; and moreover, nobody in
our compartment was afraid any
longer. We knew that VIC were
risking our lives for our country
aud that satisfied Us. As for the
train, 1t recommended its furious
race.
This was in the month OF Sep.
TENDER, 1870, on the Eastern line. !