Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-01-31

paFties.
steam escaping from her whistle with
the continuous shrek OF demon, and
the occupants of the cab wrapped from
view IN cloud Of smoke.
Some hundred rods beyond the depot
the track took 4 sharp upward grade,
from which 1t descended again to strike
the bridge scross q narrow but deep and
rocky gorge.
Men looked after the flying locomotive
and then at each other with blanched
faces.
{" They're gone A miracle can't save
'em, said one, voicing the wordless
terror of the rest. IF they don't fiy the
track ON the upgrade they'll go down as
soon as they strike the trestle.
The crowd began to run along the
track, some with vain instinct of help.
fulness, some moved by chat morbid
curiosity which seeks to be IS in ut the
death, I"
But look Midway the long rise the
speed of the runaway engine suddenly
slacl1ens.
I" What does 1t meant She never could
"a died out in that timei" shouted an
old yardman.
Excitement winged their feet. When
the foremost runners reached the place
the smoking engine stood stin ON her
track, quiyering in every steel. clad nerve,
her great wheels still whizzing round
and round amid fight of red sparks
from beneath.
What did itf Who stopped heri'
The engineer, staggering from the cab
with the pallid face of the fireman be-
hind him, pointed. without speaking. TO
where little, pale-faced, crooked backed
boy had sunk down, painting with exer-
ton, beside the track.
at his feet huge oil can lay over
turned and empty.
The crowd stared, one at another,
open-mouthed. Then the truth flashed
upon them.
I" He oiled the trackl''
Bully for Crooked Joer'
They caught the exhausted child,
hinging him from shoulder to shoulder,
striving with each other for the honor OF
bearing him, and so, in irregular, tunul-
tuous, triumphal procession they
brought him bncl1 to the depot and set
him down among them.
'' Pass the hat, pards 20 cried one.
1t had been payday. and the saved en-.
gineer and fireman dropped in each their
months wages. Not hand in all the
throng that did not delye into pocket
There was the crisp rustic of bills, tho
chink of gold and silver coin.
Out with your handkerchief, Joel
Your hands won't hold It ALL Why,
young one, what-what's the matterSn
for the boy, with scarlet cheeks and
burning eyes, had clenched both small
hands behind his back-the poor twisted
back laden with its burden of deformity
and pain.
No MOI " he cried in shrill. high
voice. "Don't pay mel Can't you see
what it's worth to me. once-just once
in my life-to be little use-like other
folksf"
The superintendent had come from
his Office. He laid his hand ON the boys
head.
Joe, T" he said. 1--WE couldn't pay
you If we wished. Money doesn't pay
for livesl But you have saved us a great
many dollars besides. Won't you let us
do something for your"
You can'tl You can'tl Nobody
cant" The child's voice was almost
shrek. 1t seemed to rend the air with
the pent-up agony of years. There's
only one thing In the world want, and
nobody can give me that. Nobody can
ever make me anything but Crooked
Joei'
The superintendent lifted him and held
him against his own breast.
My boy, he said IN his firm, gentle
tones, you are right. None of us can
do that for You. But you can do It for
yourself. Listen to me Where Is the
quick brain God gave you and the brave
hearth Not in that bent back of yours
that has nothing TO do with them Let
us help you to chance-only a chance
to work and to learn-and 1t will rest
with you, yourself, to say whether in
twenty years from now, If you are alive,
If you are Crooked Joe or Mr.. Joseph
Bryant
Visiting in c. not long ago, friend
said to me:
Court is in session. You must go
with me and hear Bryan"
The court room was already crowded
at our entrance with an expectant audi.
ence. When the brilliant young aetor.
ney rose to make his plea / noticed with
shock of surprise that his noble head
surnounted an under-sized and mis-
shapen body. He had spoken but five
minutes, however, when ! had utterly
forgotten the physical defect; in ten,
was eagerly interested, and thereafter.
during the two hours speech, held spell
bound by the marvellous eloquence which
is fast raising him to the leadership of
his profession in his native city.
a wonderful mani said my friend,
as we walked slowly homeward. Then
he told me the story of Crooked joe
ST. Louis Repablic.
Bloodlsss Italian Bat.Iss. 1870.