The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-02-10

Amid the shrieks of the whistle we
rushed around the curve, our speed
slackening, when, with great bound
that shook the engine in every joint,
it sprang from the track, plunging
into and ripping up tho ties, twisting
the rails, lunging from side to side,
and then pitching into the ditch with
q shock that flung me insensible from
my hold.
When l came to was lying on the
floor OF farmhouse, while close
around me were a crowd of anxious
spectators, from whom escaped gem
eral exclamation of joy as ] opened
my eyes and looked up at them What
did it all meano
| raised myself on one arm, and.
passing my hand across my brow, tried
to comprehend why | was here, and
who were these people about me. All
was bewilderment and confusion in
my brain, and it was some little time
before | gathered my scattered
thoughts. Then realization of what |
had passed through came back to me,
and a cry of horror burst from me as
they told me had killed the woman I
had seen upon the track. buried my
face in my hands az the vision of that
upturned face came before me- SO full
of agony and dumb pleading. Then
reused myself, but they told me to lie
still until the doctor came; then as |
insisted was unhurt, beyond few
ugly bruises. they assisted me to rise,
when | found myself sore and stiff.
My first thought was for Nellie. l
knew how anxious she would be.
knew all she would suffer until she
knew | was safe, 50 I asked for pen
and paper, that | might send her
telegram, telling her that | was we'll
and would be in Linden that night,
where | would remain. This was for
warded to her at once. They told
me then, in a rambling way, each one
adding an item, the story of the acci-
dent.
A broken rail had thrown us from
the track; and the girl whom we had
killed had evidently discovered it
while walking home upon the track,
and hurrying forward bad hoped to
warn us, had miscalculated the lis
tance and speed of the engine. and had
been struck before she could turn from
its path. having nobly sacrificed her
self in order to save the train and its
precious load
So much had been surmised of her
intentions, and Joe and | of course
confirmed the story. She was a lovely
girl of II, the only daughter, they
said, Of neighboring farmcr-John
Dixon.
Poor girl! Dear, noble-h hearted
girl!' said, wiping away the tears
that filled my eyes and choked my
utterance.
| sat silent for moment, thinking
what | could do to show my sympathy
for the poor parents in their bereaye-
ment. At last | called man to my
slde-one who seemed to be giving
orders and who seemed to have the
direction of matters, aud, steadying
my voice, said quietly. "Where is
she-the poor girl, you know?"
They have taken her home; they
took her home as soon as she was
identified, poor dear"
"lf you please. | would like to 90
there, if you think they would see me.
God knows | did not do it. and He
knows that | would give this right
ARM" | said, bitterly, thrusting it up
into the air, "to have saved the poor
girl; but | can not rest easy. | can
never have an easy heart until | have
gone to them and heard them say with
their own lips that they forgive me-
You see" | said sorrowfully, Il didn't
do it-of course mott didn't do it,
Heaven knows how hard | tried to
stop up short! But-the poor little
thing is dead. 1t is all over now; and
it was 'Firefy' and who did it! So
if you please, if You would be good
enough TO 90 with me, | would like to
go down to them and tell them in such
words as | can how their sorrow 10
mine, and how completely my heart
with them Tonight"
| was very stiff and sore, and it was
with some difficulty that / walked
across the room, but he kindly gave
me his arm and knew | could man |
age to walk down to the Dixon farm
only a spare mile, he said.
| was putting on my hat in the hail |
and adjusting my arm in asling, pre- |
parat0ry TO starting. when the tramp |
OF many feet was heard on thepiazza, n
and the door was flung open. a, man |
stepped into the passageway and held |
the door for those to enter who were |
carrying the remains of some poor
victim upon bier.
Who is it.' | asked softly, address
ing him who held wide the door
The girl" he whispered, as he raised
his hat.
All, poor creature. All ! could do
for her now was to bow my head rev.
erently, as they bore her past me,
W hile my heart swelled With emotion.
and i'll admiration of her noble con-
duct
They laid her down gently, and then
taking off their rough caps waited
silently for further orders.
The doorway was filled bv those who
had come out from the rooms above,
some with lights in their hands, and
all gazing earnestly, almost curiously.
upon the form resting So quietly and
peacefully in the passageway Ali
Sas hushed and still in the crowded
doorway, upon the crowded stairway.
n the hallway, where stood the six
stout farmers who had borne in on
bpi, 81 bn va ht,,. :,I /