Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-12-05

and then out again it pushed into the
night once more Two miles out,
and shiver ran through the whole
length of the train. And then slowly,
slowly it began to slacken the speed
with which it had been plunging for
ward, and finally came TO "A dead stop.
What was the matterl A man which
the train had caught in its mouth
and hurled to one side as some
monster in the jungle catches hun
ter and filings him to the winds for
sport.
The train stopped. The men inside
the car rushed to the door and
peered out into the night. To them
rushed up the engineer and told the
awful thing that had just happened.
He had seen the unfortunate man
only when within about sixty feet of
him, and had put on the brakes.
But it was too late. The engine had
struck him and hurled him aside like
a proiectile. The train had made II
long distance before it had come to
standstill. And back somewhere III
the shadows lay the dead man.
Mr.. Depew ordered the train put
back at once to Greenfield, and so
back to Greenfield it felt its way
The merriment Of the party was com
pletrlv subdued At the station in
Greenfield the first man to put his
foot on the platform was Chauncey
Depew. He quickly notified the au-
thorities Of the accident which had
occurred, and then busted himself in
making arrangements for bringing
back the dead.
Four men and stretcher were pro
cured. Mr. Depew invited the men
into his car, and the train rushed off
again to the spot where the unknown
unfortunate had been run over
There the searchers with their Ian
terms were put off The search was Il
very brief one, and what was left OF
the dead man was carefully placed
upon the cot. Mr.. Depew had also
made arrangements at Greenfield for
the conveyance Of the party with
their burden back to the town.
When everything possible had been
done the engineer fired up again, the
pleasure party started off for Boston,
and the searching party with the
dead man went back to Greenfield.
1t had been learned that the man
who had been run down i'll the dark
was a poor printer, 80 years Of age.
He left behind him a widow and two
children, who had nothing to depend
upon except what he had earned for
them from day TO day. He had lived
about the tracks a good many years,
and knew thoroughly the comings
and goings Of the trains and their
regular time Of passing. AT the hour
when he was killed no train was due
along the road.
The pleasure party had suddenly
become very quiet. In one corner
sat Mr.. Dapew, looking out into the
darkness. In another sat Pierpont
Morgan, putting silently away at a
cigar. And outside the rain contin-
ued to pour in torrents, and the glass
of the car windows was as Opaque as
onyx. Mr.. Depew rose from his cor
ner and approached his comrades,
who were grouped at the other end
of the coach.
How true it is said Mr.. Depew
solemnly, with a sad smile on his
face, that in the midst Of life we are
in death. Do you know, / can't help
thinking about that poor fellow lying
out there dead, crushed like a worml
They say he was poor man and that
he had a wife and some little ones,
who have no one to care for them
now. What a terrible thing TO De
cut down like that without a mo
.
ment's warning-and such horrible
/ death as it was. too. Not a moment
given to prepare to meet his God.
/ Think of it! Had we not better
/ kneel and plead TO the Almighty for
/ his soulf
Every man in the car bowed his
head. Let US pray" said Chauncey
Depew in low voice. And there,
standing with his hands folded across
biz breast, he closed his eyes and ap-
pealed to heaven in intercession for
the dead mans soul. Lawrence
Richards and George Barr, the
porters, had knelt down near the
door. When the prayer was ended a
chorus Of amens came from every
mans lips there. Then there was an
other silence, which was disturbed
only by the lashing OF the water
against the window panes Only
handful of persons heard the prayer
vet who shall say that this appeal tc
the Father of Mercy for a dead mar
and his orphaned children was moi
the most beautiful speech that wa
ever uttered by Chauncey Depew.
And returning to his corner agar
the pleader sat for a few minutes
without speaking. Then once more
he approached his companions, will