The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-11-15

plicable revulsions in the tide Of
fortune, Mr.. Collins had experienced
the most severe reverses, and his
fortune had literally taken to itself
wings and had flown away; and
added to the loss of fortune was the
still greater one of the death Of a
dearly beloved wife:
In his extremity he came to C.
and called upon his former friend.
Mr.. R. received him cordially, and
made him many offers, even propos-
ing to advance him sufficient sum
to set him up in business.
All these offers the old man re-
fused, and finally accepted the posi-
ton as station man at the trestle
work, which position had been made
vacant by the accident first alluded
to.
The duties were light, mainly con.
sisting in passing over the bridge
after the passage of each train.
In connection with the station was
a small, neat cottage, which the
station m occupied, and where,
removed from the cares of business
life, the broken merchant made his
home in contentment and peace.
The conductor of the train of
which | was engineer had at one
been vely 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 best
circles of society; but when reverses
visited the family of his betrothed,
instead of coming forward manfully,
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 de-
clared his Intentions had never been
serious, and that he had only flirted
with the young lady to kill time,
and looked much higher IN his seIec-
ton OF a wife.
Amanda, for this was my heroine's S
name, was of sensitive nature, and
felt the matter keenly, and bitterly
resented the gross injustice done her.
When, in company with her
father, she was about to step on the
train on the night of our first meet
ing, she observed with terrible
trepidation that the conductor was
none other than her former suitor,
and desiring to avoid contact with
him, the arrangement was perfected
of which the reader has air ready
been made acquainted.
On the evening of the storm Mr..
Collins was i'll, and his daughter had
volunteered to take his place and
cross the bridge. While returning
she missed her footing and fell,
striking her forehead against the rail
and rendering her quite insensible.
TEe light reflected from the en-
gine on the broken lantern, which
she had dropped in her fall, had first
caught my attention, and was for
tunately the providential means of
saving her life.
In lifting her from the track,
which | had succeeded in doing not
a moment too soon, had fractured
my arm near the shoulder, and the
pain of the occasion had caused me
to faint dead away.
My fireman shut off steam, and
rescued us from our perilous situa-
ton, and carried us into the cottage
where we had been properly cared
for.
Fortunately a passenger on the
train was good engineer and took
charge of my engine until l was
able to resume the care OF it myself.
Ofcoulse before my convalescence
l had fallen desperately in love with
my fair nurse, and if the reader were
to visit our little cottage to-day, he
would hear her say, as she bends
over me with our little boy in her
arms:
My dear, why don't you cross
your IS and dot your i's?"
And | look up to the eyes of my
gentle wife and say:
Never mind, my love; the prin-
ter will fix it all right even if he does
scold a little"