The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-04-10

train under such speed that we would
make time at Ii, thirty miles ahead:
then took the card from my pocket, and
On IL was penc1led, in a small, delicate
nand: Mention this to no one. and I
will be your friend''
turned the card over and over. but
this was all, and l could do NOTHING bnt
wonder and surmise with regard to the
matter.
pictured in my mind all sorts of
stories and trains of circumstances that
could have brought such an event tabout.
but all to no purpose.
On returning to C. the next night
met the superintendent on the platform.
lie looked at me in an anxious. inouir-
ing manner. l knew his meaning. and
nodded that all was we'll, and passed
into the Office.
Ihe next week | was much surprised
at receiving almost double paw, which
wages continued almost as long as I
continued on the road.
Time went on for about six months.
and could get no clew to the mystery.
put invariably kept sharp lookout as
neared the E. creek trestle-for what
reasons l could not tell, as | certainly
would not expect to see my two former
passengers at that point again, but still
some unknown attraction compelled me
to look.
1t was now in the early part of the
winter of 1857. The night was exceed
lngly dark and stormy, and it had been
sleeting all day, and every thing was
covered with ice. We left c. five min
utes late, being delayed by the dreadful
storm, and were running unusually fast
to gain time.
For once did not think of the E.
creek trestle until the headlight flashed
on the icyroof of the small station house
situated about three hundred yards from
the creek.
In moment was on my feet looking
ahead. l had unconsciously shut off the
steam, and had my hand on the whistle
cord.
Did | see something on the track, or
was it imagination PIN moment had
whistled down brakes, and not an in
slant too soon, for the glare of the head
light revealed broken lantern and
few feet further on female form living
PROSTATE across the rails.
l sprung to reverse the lever, and
throwing my whole force into the move
ment reversed the action of the engine.
and then let the steam on with Jerk.
A grating, kissing sound ensued, and
in moment the wheels were spinning
around in an opposite direction amid a
million sparks that lighted the scene
with brilliant glare
In moment had passed along the
running board and was now on the fscow-
catcher - one foot firmly planted on the
farthest bar, and my left hand grasping
one of the strong iron ribs, and INV
body forward with an arm extended
toward the inanimate form we were SO
rapidly approaching.
The wheels crushed the lantern into a
thousand atoms, and were within foot
of the white, upturned face. l lowered
my hand nearly to the ground, and
braced my nerves for the shock.
What if should miss my hold? 1 set
my teeth and threw my whole energy in
the movement.
A sudden clutch-a terrible strain on
my muscles-and the prostrate form was
beside me on the pilot. Then every
thing seemed to whirl around for an in
stant, and all was oblivion.
When 1 came to myself I found nv
self on lounge in small, neat room,
and an old man and young woman
bending over me, whom at once recog-
nized as my two passengers of six
months previous.
On attempting to move. discovered 1
was seriously injured; and the old man
directed me to keep perfectly quiet, tell
ing me my arm was broken, and | was
otherwise badly injured, but I had,
nevertheless, saved the life of his
for which he rendered me the
most ardent thanks.
His daughter testified her gratitude in
a glance far more eloquent than words.
Ere I had recovered from my illness,
the old man had related to me the story
Of his eventful life.
Some years before he had been
wealthy merchant in a neighboring city,
where Mr.. R, the present superin-
tendent of the road, was also engaged in
business.
In the financial crash of 1S- Mr..
R became embarrassed and was on
the verge of ruin. Mr.. Collins, that be-
ing the old mans name-assisted him
out of his financial difficulty.
In time he moved to c., became a |
neavy stockholder in the road, and |
finally became superintendent of the
same.
Meanwhile, by one of those inexplain-
sble reyulsions in the tide of fortune, |
Mr.. Collins had experienced the most
severe reverses, and his fortune had |
literally taken to itself wings and had |
Town away; and added to the loss of
was the still greater one of the
leath of dearly beloved wife.
In his extremity he came to c. and
,alled upon his former friend. Mr..
R- received him cordially and made
him many offers, even proposing to ad-
rance sufficient sum to set him up in
business.
All these offers the old man refused,
md finally aceentad tha nosition as