Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-25

brothers give up the road and take up other
pursuits. Her word was law and the boys left
the road. but only for u short time, as they
were hardly fit for other work and besides their
former remuneration was a great magnet.
Peggy was finally won over and the BOYS former
good records enabled them to be reinstated in
their old positions engineers.
The summer months sped by, and as both the
brothers came in from their trips time after
time unframed Peggy frightened up consid-
erably and began to hope that the fates had
been satisfied Tor many years to come. but an
other dark cloud of sorrow for Peggy was loom
ing up and the storm soon broke.
JOHN WAS THE NEXT VICTIM
This time John was the victim and the acct
dent that shut off his life was of the most orti-
nary kind and for which preventative has not
yet been found. III any one will take the trou-
BILE to examine the base of the floor Of the cab
OF an engine they will find that a heavy plate
OF iron Is fastened thereto directly underneath
the engineers position. This is done to pro-
tect him from accident in case the driving rod
should break. But nothing protects the roof of
cab. and while John was working his engine
TO the top notch to make up lost time, snap
went the driver, and as it struck the cross ties
bounded back, struck the cab from in front and
above and tore off the whole side. The acct
dent, OF necessity, was SO sudden that poor
John Pryde hardly knew what struck him and
ms bleeding remains were found some distance
from the track where they had been hurled by
the terrific force of the blow.
Very little urging was necessary on Peggy
part after this last accident to persuade the re-
manning brother to leave the railroad service,
Tor as jim put it. he couldn't afford to run
the risk of letting Peggy alone in the world to
hight her own battles" and warning was a
warming. and in the face of the three previous
ealamltles he thought he better quit. And quit
he did. and he and Peggy went into business
she as milliner and he as q green grocer and
the future took on a brighter aspect for them
both.
The month of December found both Peggy
and Jim prospering in their different business
pursuits and happy and contented with each
others society.
jim FOLLOWS THE REST.
The night Of December 20 found the main
street OF Columbia crowded with gay coasters.
The street made gradual descent and at its
base the railroad tracks crossed it and COM
PEELED the coasters to make a sharp turn into
the street that followed the tracks east and
west This turn was a hazardous one to make
while train wouli be passing and many mar
row escapes were occurring constantly. Jim
mad Just closed his store for the night, which
fronted on the main street at the point whereat
the coasters generally started their sleds and
was about starting for home when a number
OF mis- friends called to him to join them in a
ride down the hill on an immense bob sled.
After little persuasion he joined the group
and with merry shout the sled started. Az
the bob held about twenty-five persons and was
steel shod its velocity increased as on it sped,
and as 1t approached the bottom
OF the hill was beyond control.
The sled with its load of human freight
was about twenty yards from the foot of the
hill when great shout went up from the on
lockers that train was coming. Do all they
could the sled could not be stopped, but
by great exertion its speed was slackened some
what, but as 1T dashed around the corner side
by side with the train the sled turned over on
ITS side Most of the. coasters on the sled threw
themselves In an opposite direction to the train,
but jim, slower than the rest. was hurled
under the wheels of the train and almost in
stantly killed. As they pulled him out from
under the cars and were carrying him into a
nearby drug store he heard to gasp the
words, Poor Peggy" draw a long breath and
was dead when the hastily summoned physician
arrived. Generous to the last his thoughts
were on the sister he loved so true and we'll.
Peggy Pryde is still a maid and has grown
callous through misfortune and says that when
she desires to commit suicide she will purchase
a ticket. board a train and fate and the name OF
Pryde will do the rest