Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-10-18


the darkness, but knew the shape
of the building too well to be mis-
taken. He stopped the engine and
took the path to his home, followed
by the doctor.
Through the window on the
second floor he could see a light
shining. Very likely it was there
his child was lying wrestling with
death; and to save this child he
had perhaps killed and wounded
--how many others?
lie grOaned aloud. Slowly lie
dragged his weary feet up the
STAIRS. His wife opened the door
at his knock.
His boy was still LYING. Mat.
tern saw his ashen face and heald
his rafting breath. In his ears
sounded again the awful cry that
he had heard a short time before
His nerves, that for hours be had
kept under control, gave way, now
that he bad reached his deHtina-
ton, and he fell to the floor in
sensible.
1t was late the next morning
when the engineer regained con.
sclousness, although he could not
yet collect his thoughts very clear
l.; a rackiug headache prevented
this. His limbs seemed immovable
and heavy as lead. In the room
in which he recognized as their
living room, a deathllke stiffness
relgned. lie tried to lift his head
bat in vain; he fell back on the
pil ow with a groan. His wife heard
him and came IN, but with face
pale with weeping.
'Ruthp he whispered.
'Oh, my dear husband, how
thankful | am to see you conscious
again! she cried.
'Iow is the boyf Il he still
ahyeV
'Oh, yes, thank GJdl Had you
come ali hour later it would have
been too late, but the doctor thinks
he is past all danger now. He has
Just been called to look after som
people who we're hurt at the rail-
road crossing. a man Is said to be
killed, and two women and one
child badly Injured. Try to sleep
a little now, dear husband; tnat
will be your best medicine. l will
call YOU when the doctor returns!
she kissed him and went into
the next room where the child was
sleeping.
Ooe person dead, three badly
hurt, perhaps fatally, and through
his fault! He had had no ln.en.
tlon of doing this; all he tho Ight
of was the saving of his child; but
had he a right to undertake such
a fearful responsibility when he
knew what terrible consequences
might tollowf
He rose in despair; be could not
endure to lie still; the air OF the
room almost choked him. In his
ears still sounded that fearful death
cry. With trembling limbs he made
his way into the bt droOm. Both
wife and child were sleeping. He
looked at then silently, aud bitter
tears streamed down his cheeks.
What would become of these be
loved so dearlyi
Slowly he went down the stairs;
he could not meet the eyes OF his
dear ones, and without word be
opened the door aud was out OH
the street. There he stood for some
little time; the fresh air seemed
to do him good.
The town clock struck lit was
early yet. Mechanically hs turned
his steps toward the enginc-hOuse;
he wanted to look after his engine
as was his daily custom. He ar.
rived at the shed; bis engine was
was there-no doubt brought there
by some OF his coworksrs. DE
looked at it sorro wfully, and as of
old tegan to examine it, 1t struck
bin that something might have be-
come broken during the ride.
Suddenly he heard leud laugh.
One Of the workmen, whose duty
it was to take out the ashes and
start the fire, had come up behind
him and now said, iokingly:
Il suppose you want to see your
roastP
'RoastP he asked. what do you
meant
The other man laughed more
than ever.
sIt must have been a pretty good
bump. I only wonder that the en-
gIne didu't jump the track. The
front wheels were full OF hair. l