The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1890-11-13

was penciled in small, delicate hand
"Mention this to no one, and I will be
your friend"
l turned the card ovc; aud over, bat
/ that was all, and | could 10 nothing but
wonder and surmise with regard TO the
matter.
l pictured iu my mind all sorts of
stories and trains of circumstances that
could have brought such an event about,
but all to no purpose.
On returning to G. the next night l
met the Superintendent on the platform.
He looked at me in al anxious, inquir-
ing manner. I knew his meaning and
nodded that all was we'll and passed into
the Office.
The next week was surprised at re-
ceiving almost double pay, which wages
continued as long as l remained on the
road.
Time went on for about six months,
and could get no clew to the mystery,
but l invariably kept a sharp lookout as
I nearcd the E. Creek trestle-sor what
reason 1 could not tell, as 1 certainly
could 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
ingly dark and stormy, and it had been
sleeting all day, and everything was
covered with ice. We left c. FIVE min
utes late, being delayed by the storm,
and were running unusually fast to gain
time.
For once I did not think of the E.
creek trestle until the headlight flashed
on the icy roof of the small station
house situated about 500 yards from the
creek.
In a moment I was on my feet looking
ahead. had unconsciously shut off the
steam, and had my hand upon the
whistle cord.
Did I see something on the track or
was it imagination3
In a moment l had whistled "down
brakes" and not an instant too soon,
for the glare of the headlight revealed a
broken lantern, and few feet further on
female form lying PROSTATE across the
rails.
I sprang to the reverse 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 sharp, Kissing sound ensued, and in
a moment the wheels wese spinning
around in an opposite direction amid
1,OOO,0 200 sparks that lit the scene with
a brilliant glare.
In moment had passed along the
running board and was now on the "cow-
catcher" one foos firmly planted on the
farthest bar. my left hand srnsPing one
Of the strong iron ribs, and my body for
ward with au arm extended toward the
inauimate form we were so rapidly ap-
preaching.
The wheels crushed the lantern into a
thousand atoms, and were within foot
of the white, upturned face. lowered
my hand nearly to the ground and braced
myself for the shock.
What if should miss my hold2 set
nv teeth and threw my whole energy in
the movement.
A sudden clutch-a terrible strain on
the muscles-and the PROSTATE form was
beside me on the pilot. Then everything
seemed to whirl around for al instant,
and all was oblivion.
When came to myself found myself
on lounge in small, neat room, and
an old man and young woman bending
over me, whom I at once recognized as
my two passengers of six months previ-
Gus.
In attempting to move I found I was
seriously injured, and the old man di.
rected me to keep perfectly quiet, telling
me nv arm was broken, and was other
wise badly injured, but had, neverthe-
less, saved the life of his daughter, for
which he rendered me TIE most ardent
thanks.
His daughter testified her gratitude in
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 lite.
Some years before he had been wealthy
merchant in a neighboriug city, where
Mr.. R., the present Superintendent of
the railroad, was also engaged in busi-
ness.
In the financial crash of 1S-Mr. R.
became embarrassed and was on the
verge of ruin. Mr.. Collins-that being
the old mans name-assisted him out of
his financial difficulty.
In time he removed to c., became
heavy stockholdcr in the road, and finally
became Superintendent of the road.
Meanwhile, by one of those inexpli-
cable revulsions in the tide of fortune,
Mr.. Collins had experienced the most Sc
we're reverses, and his fortune had literal
" taken to itself wings and had flown
away; aud added to the loss OF fortune
was the still greater one OF the death OF
dearly beloved wife.
In his extremity he came to c. and
called upon his former friend. MIR. 4.
received him cordially, and made him
mary offers, even proposing to advance
him sufficient sum to set him up in
business.
All these offers the old man refused,
and finally accepted the position as sta
tion man at the trcStle work, which
position had been made vacant by the
accident first alluded to.
The duties were light, mainly consist
Ing in passing over the bridge after the
passage of each train.
L. aannnnlinr, with tlln statinn Was q