Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-07-19
AFTER MANY DAYS.
2Herbert's Opportunity to Repay
Brave and Generous Deed

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More than twenty years ago several
passengers stood upon the platform of
railway station. Among them was
"a woman of perhaps sixty years, who
seemed interested in watching young
mother with a little fellow in kits
scarcely more than three years old.
At the approach of an incoming train
the child grew much excited, and his
mother kept her hand upon him lest
he should plunge beneath the wheels.
The train took up it's passengers,
among whom these three were not in
cluded; the bystanders had hardly
watched the cars pass from the depot
when, before they were aware, another
train came steaming in,
Quick as thought, the child broke
from his mothers loosened grasp and
bounded straight before the approach
ing engine.
A cry of agony escaped from the
mother, and she fell fainting to the
floor. The cry was echoed by others;
but, without a seconds hesitation, the
old lady sprang after the child, and
with the instructive thought that it
took less time to continue motion
cross the track than to pull back,
she pushed him headlong, both plung-
ing into the gravel on the other side,
and barely escaping the wheels of the
passing cars.
The boy scrambled up, looking both
bewildered and angry that anyone
should put a stop to his pleasure,
while the old lady was carefully
picked up and set to rights, with ques-
tions and ordinations of wonder and
admiration at her heroic and timely
action. The revived mother greeted
the savior of her child with hysterical
gratitude, and after time the little
group settled to talk like old friends.
They were pleased to find that they
should be fellow travellers for a long
distance, the old lady going west to
live with daughter. while the young
woman with her child was returning
from a visit to eastern friends.
I'm especially glad to go now
said the first, "as my daughter has just
written me of the birth Of a little girl
1t is their first child, though they have
been married eight years, and I'm sc
fond of children; but come, get al
our things, for there's our train!"
AS she turned to her companion, she
saw a blank look upon her face, ther
she made a hasty search in handbag
and baggage, with the frightened
words: 81 do believe I've lost my peck
et-book!"
They looked on the floor, among
wraps and parcels, everywhere, blu
could not find it. ''What shall / dor
exclaimed the troubled woman, ''ant
how could have lost it!'
Perhaps it was when you tainted
some one might have relieved you O
it,
'I declare, that's so! for remembe
now that held it in my hand and
haven't seen it since; but what shall
do? Ny ticket-everything was in it'll
Again her good angel came to her as
sistance, with the words: well,
cant be helped now, and I'm lucky to b
able to lend you what you want. Her
no, don't say a word! Get your tickle
quick, or Wen be left; 1 can do it jus
as we'll as not"
For years after this memorable tri
the two women kept up a correspon
dence; till at last the young woman
letter was returned, and after one o
two Intellectual efforts to trace he
kind friend and benefactress, sh
thought of her as one who lad gon
over the river.
But little Herbert, growing to man
hood, was taught to reverence and low
the memory of the noble woman VIII
had saved his life.
A young lawyer, by name Orwell
walked into his Office early one fresl
spring morning. He pushed up tn
window and sat down before it, wit
hat and light overcoat still on.
group of school-children had passe
opposite him, seeming intent on some
thing beneath his window. Once the
burst into laughter, and then two Q
them ran across the street, followe
slowly by the more timid ones.
Mr.. Orwell laid down the unopene
paper and leaned out An old lad
was sitting upon the curbstone, he
feet in the gutter, and she rolled some
thing in her hands, looking up, laugh
ing and chatting to the childre
about, who laughed back. Beside he
stood a young girl, who seemed ell
~deavoring to prevail upon the Ol
woman to rise and come away.
The young man turned and wer
downstairs. He edged his way to til
center of the group Just as an unstead
voice piped; Plenty here for mu
pies! Come, dearie, let's make some
and the figure on the curbstone locke
Scoaxingly into the face of a sma
child. At the same time the youn
woman attempted to wrap a shaw
about her, while she urged: Com
grandma, please come. You'll catch
dreadful cold"
But the shawl was thrown off wit
the air of a naughty child. and with tt
words: 81 don't want it,. I tell 20
and amt ready to eoene yet"