The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-10
ABridef0r an Hour.
4 Thrilling Story Of the Johns.
town Disaster.
BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE CUP OF JOY.

CHAPTER XIV.
THE CUP OF JOY
All about the flood!" "All about 1he
Conemaugh food"
A score of newsboys were crying their
wares at one time.
"Oh! let me see paper" said Mrs.
Vern.
The newsboy held out paper, and his
hand was still! extended when Rose
Somers suddenly bethought herself.
I'VE 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, I don't want no money
from You folks-l'd rather Let you have
some. Here-hera's o quarter-honest
now"
Rose could scarcely restrain her tears
at this evidence Of sympathy. They
both hastened into o corner where they
could scan the parer.
There! There! See that They've
found baby-and it laughed. In a
cradle, too"
Mrs. Vern was aglow with excitement
as she pointed out the paragraph to Rose
Somers. Rose read it with Increasing
interest.
who knows? 1t may be yours, Mrs.
Vern. There is q. chance"
IF there is only one in ten thousand
I'll thank God. Where is the place. I
must go there ut once-now"
Where is Verona?" Rose inquired of
man near her.
six or seven miles up tho 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 meus
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 sou aboard train in few
minutes. You don't need any fare. We
are carrying you people free"
Presently he returned ard 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 o condition that she was afraid to
60 further. She wished Rose Somers
would make inquiry if the babe found in
She cradle was there; and, if so, it might
be her own.
Rose Somers soon learned all that was
10 be discovered.
Then Mrs. Eern became more nervous.
She clung TO her companion despairingly.
Rose encouraged her. 1t would soon be
settled one way or the other.
hIr,o IonR We c
house now. Jack was Mt home. He was
chucking baby up in the air, while his
wife locked on. Some oftheir neighbors,
who were never satisfied looking at the
baby that came dom 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 or act, the child
was snatched out of his arms and strained
passionately to Mrs. Vern's breast.
Then the women cried, and Jacks eyes
grew moist. There was no need for
words. The scene explained itself.
This woman, wearing q 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. q"
Meanwhile the women were eager In
kind offices to Mrs. Iern 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 q dry-goods store
piled into his house.
At the end of an hour the newcomers
were dressed becomingly and sitting at
Jack Awards table, where thore was al
ways an abundance. Mrs. Worm and her
companion were fitted in gloves, shoes
and bonnets. 1t was q 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 rs the women, when
the mother and child were leaving.
First, Mrs. Vern telegraphed to Johns
town that she was we'll and had her baby
with her She was going straight to
friend who lived at Blaiisyille.
Two hours after they entered Verona
they we're standing at the station waiting
for train. There was O large crowd
around them, attracted by curiosity. They
we're waiting for the westward train, pur-
posing to return 10 the city, and once
there Mrs Vern would take another train
and 60 to Blairsville. Mrs. Somers would
remain in the city.
While they were looking out of win
dow, train bound eastward stopped at
the station. Several persons leaped to
the ground. One young man with un-
sharen face and piece of plaster over
his temple, looked eagerly around him as
he stood firmly o.. the 6 ound. He
glanced st the crowd in and around the
station. Then his eyes CHANGED upon a
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.. Fern gave
little shrek at the same moment.
Her companion had sunk quietly down
in the seat beside her in dead faint.
When she resained consciousness
everyone knew husband ana wife separ.
ated by the great food were happily re-
united.
CHAPTER XIV.
Mr.. PETERS SPECIAL PRESENT.
Mrs. Somers first thought was of their
friends in Johnstown.
Send them word at once, Algernon.