The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-03-21

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 ''cow
catcher one foot firmly planted on the
farthest bar, and my left hand graspine
one of the strong iron ribs, and my
body forward with an arm extended
toward the inanimate form we were sc
rapidly approaching.
The wheels crushed the lantern into a
thousand atoms, and were within foot
the white, upturned face. lowered
my hand nearly to the ground, anG
)raced my nerves for the shock.
What if l should miss my hold? 1 Sc;
my teeth and threw my whole energy in
the movement
A sudden clutch--a terrible strain or
my muscles-and the PROSTATE form wa
beside me on the pilot. Then ever,
thing seemed to whirl around for an in
slant, and all was oblivion.
When | came to myself found nv
self on lounge in a small, neat room
and an old man and young woman
bending over me, whom | at once recog
nized as my two passengers of si>
months previous.
On attempting to move, discovered j
was seriously injured: and the old mai
directed me to keep perfectly quiet, tell
ing me my arm was broken, and l wa
otherwise badly injured, but 1 had
nevertheless, saved the life of hi
laughter, for which he rendered me ths
most ardent thanks.
His daughter testified her gratitude il
glance far more eloquent than words
Ere l 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 neighboring city
where Mr.. R, the present superin
tendent of the road, was also engaged il
business
In the financial crash of IS Mr.
q became embarrassed and was OF
the verge of ruin. Mr.. Collins, that be
.ng the old mans name-aSsisted hin
'ut of his financial difficulty.
III OIHlC 1c I1lONou 10 ", became
heavy stakeholder in the road. ant
inally became superintendent of tn,
anne.
Meanwhile, by one of those inexplain
tble revulsiOns in the tide of fortune
Mr. Collins had experienced the most
'evere reverses, and his fortune hat
literally taken to itself wings and had
olI 1I
property was the still greater one of tn.
leath of dearly beloved wife.
In his extremity he came to c. an6
called upon his former friend. Mr.
Il received him cordially and made
him many offers, even proposing to ad-
vance a sufficient sum to set him IN in
business.
All these offers the old man refused.
and finally accepted the position a.
station-man at the trestle-work, which
position had been vacated by the acct.
lent first referred to-
The duties were light. mainly con
'lsting in passing over the bridge after
lhe passage of each train.
In connection with the station was
small, neat cottage which the station
man occupied, and where, removed from
The cares of business life, the broken
down merchant made his home in con.
tentment and peace.
The conductor on the train of which
was engineer had at one time been very
intimate in Mr.. Collins family, and he
and the daughter were engaged to be
married. At this time he was supposed
TO be quite wealthy, and moved in the
highest circles Of society; but when re-
verses visited the family of his be-
trothed, instead of coming forward man
fully, as devoted lover, his visits to
the house ceased, and the engagement
was at once broken Off
And not only that, but when bantered
by his companions he declared his in.
tentions had never been serious. and
that he had only fiirted with the YOUNG
Lady to kill time, and that he looked
much higher in his selection of wife.
Amanda. for this was my heroine's
name, was of a sensitive nature and felt
the matter keenly, and bitterly resented
the gross injustice done her.
When in company with her father.
about to step on the train, on the nipbt
OF our first meeting, she observed. with
considerable trepidation, that the con.
ductor was none other than her fOrme,
snitor, and, desiring to avoid contac,
with him, the arrangement was perfect
| of which the reader has already been
AIDE acquainted.
on The evening of the storm Mr.. Col
ms wasill and his daughter had volun-
eered to take his place and cross the
ridge. While returning she missed her
DOT and fell. striking her forehead
lgainst the rail, rendering her unite in
sensible.
The light reflected from the engine
On the broken lantern, which she had
aropped In her fall, had first caught nv
attention, and was fortunately the provi-
dental means of saving her life.
In lifting her from the track, which I
mad succeeded in doing not a moment
too soon, had fractured nv arm. near
ene shoulder, and the pain of the injury.
adaed TO the excitement of the occasion.
had caused me to faint.
My fireman shut off steam. rescued no
from our perilous situation. and carried
us into the cattage, where we had been
cared for
fortunately, passenger on the train
was good engineer, and took charge of
my engine until l was to resume the
care of it myself.
VI course. before my convalescence I
nao iaiien desperately in love with nv
'alr nurse, and if the reader were to
visit nv little cottage today he would