Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-04-04
NUMBER 40.

| brought with him letter for Mr.. Ma
son. This stated that his sister would
arrive next day at the little station at
the foot of the mountain. Some one
must meet her there, and after great
deal of perplexity, it was decided to
send Tim with Mrs. Mason, as both
husband and wife knew him to be a
truly trustworthy and competent guide
over the mountain roads, He was
| therefore dispatched on the journey,
with two good horses, borrowed,
| once painted, now faded-looking, wag-
| on.
They went slowly down the narrow
| road. which, on account of the steep
| ness of ascent, wound around the
mountain, making away with consid-
cradle danger. but lengthening the
| road about mile and a half. The
| morning was beautiful one.
All nature seemed to have put forth
special efforts for the occasion. The
leaves of the trees were just turning "A
brilliant red, and yellow, and looked
| very bright in the sunlight. AS they
wound around s'Skeleton's Promon-
tory" the trees below, looked like
they had been grouped together to be
photographed. No artist could have
pictured the scene, blending together
| the tints as nature had to-day. The
| train arrived at Dykeville at one in the
afternoon, and the travellers were to
| stop at small dwelling two miles this
| side of the village.
They did so, and took dinner with
| Mrs. Martin, the kind and hospitable
lady who kept the inn.
They reached the station on time
| and found the expected passenger, and
started on the homeward trip. They
! arrived at the inn about three in the
afternoon, and were making prepara-
rations to spend the night, when Mrs.
Mason, tired and worn out, concluded
to push on up the mountain, and reach
home before dusk if possible.
AS they were driving away. Mrs.
Martin brought out a large, cotton,
green and yellow umbrella.
Take this she said; '.you are 60
ing from the sun. which will shine d.
rectly On your back, and this will serve
as shield" They reached ..Skele-
tons Promontory" about five in the
evening.
The scenery at this point was even
grander than during the morning.
The soft rays OF the setting sun threw
mellow light on the golden and Grim
son leaves, making the picture beau
tiful and interesting one. The sister
called attention to the grandeur of the
scene, and at her request Tim let the
horses rest to take breath, while the
travellers gazed on the brilliant chasm
below.
Further up the mountain the men
| were just leaving the little mine; Den
mis-, the Scotchman, who had taken
Tins place, was just hauling the last
| load of refuse to the dump. Dennis
| was walking beside the cart; as the
horse and driver neared the turn in
the road which led down the noun
tain, old Thunder, as if prompted by
some eerie spirit, turned and dashing
sped down the path.
Our travellers were resting in per-
feet contentment, when they beheld a
sight which made them tremble.
There was Old Thunder, coming at
a rate that could not possibly be
checked, even if instinct would enter
the animals head. The road at this
point was barely wide enough for one
wagon, and it seemed that there was
no escape from the death that was so
certaiu. Quick as a flash Tim seized
the cotton umbrella, jumped from the
wagon, and ran quickly up the path,
stopped, and concealed himself behind
a large tree.
He seemed to lose all fear of his old
enemy, who was coming toward him
with such speed. just as the neared
the tree, and at a very narrow point,
Tim jumped out and f1ared the umbrel
la full in his face. The frantic animal
reared, backed trihe, when one of
the heavy wheels of the cart went ov-
er the grade. Mule, refuse, and cart
followed, and were dashed to pieces on
the rocks below. As the mule plung
ed, Tim received kick which felled
him to the ground. We thought, for
awhile, it was all over with the lad,
but on further examination the wound
was found to be a serious one, though
not dangerous. Tim was picked up,
overwhelmed with thanks, and taken
to the home of friends.
A thrilling account of Tins bravery
was given to Mr.. Mason, who was SO
grateful to the boy, that he had him
educated as his own son. He remain
ed at college until he graduated, and
in their old age was the pride of Mr..
and Mrs. Mason.