Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-01-25

culatlng, selfish judgment largely ac-
counted for his failures
The little village was left far behind
when there came q sudden grinding OF
the brakes. q scarcely perceDtible slack
ening Of speed, and then LoVett "~e
conscious of q frightful crash as he
was hurled forward. AS he grasped a
broken chair he knew the wreckage OF
the car was piling up about him, and
then he seemed to be falling down,
down, down.
He had been merely stunned, and in
moment he struggled to his knees.
Darkness waA about him, but as he
peered above the mass of ruins tongue
of flame shot up, and then great light
shone upon the wreck. The splintered
cars had caught fire, and with the hiss
of escaping steam, the screams and
groans Of the wounded and the shouts
Of rescuers was mingled the horrible
snap and crackle of the flames.
As Lovett struggled to his feet his
eyes fell upon the old gentleman, ly-
ing as II dead in a hollow piled with
broken and splintered chairs, and his
rigid fingers were still clasped about
the hand bag with it's precious package
of bank notes.
Perhaps the thought struck Lovett
that the old man was dead and beyond
the need of money, and that Fate,
which had so persistently frowned up
on him, now revealed an opportunity
he should grasp. BUT more likely he
dld not think at all, as he instinctively
glanced around to see II he was OBJ
served, and then crept toward the ap-
parently lifeless form.
He unclasped the rigid fingers and
took the bagj then, breaking 1t open
and thrusting the package of bills into
his bosom, he threw the empty satchel
into the flames which were creeping
toward him. Then he lifted the old man
in his arms and bore him to place Of
safety. and for two awful hours he
worked like hero, fighting back the
flames, pulling and lifting at great
masses of wreckage, tenderly helping
TO release the wounded from the debris
and reverently bearing the dead away
from the flames. Then when human
means had been exhausted and the rest
was abandoned to the fire he boarded
the special train which was in waiting
and with the others proceeded to the
nearest town and to hotel.
The package IN his bosom bulged out
noticeably, and he took it out to dis
tribute the money through his pockets
AS he took off the wrapper his eyes fel
upon a name and address. 1t wa
MARK L. Brigham, 3o1 Queen street
Blank City" He meant to destroy 1t
but mechanically be folded and placed
It in one of his pockets.
The hotel had been transformed Int
q hospital. On every side he heard TIT
commands Of doctors, the hurrying fee
of attendants and the cries and groan
of the sufferers. He moved about SOM
of the cots, but now that the fever o
action was over the sight OF so mucl
suffering sickened him, and he passe'
out into the cool night air.
1wingnt was deepening in elegar
Queen street as a solitary figure, bowe'
and hating, paced slowly back ant
forth. The man seemed swayed by con
tending impulses, now hating before
quiet mansion, now pushing on reso
lutely as II to leave the neighborhood
A block or two away he passed q churcl
where the people were gathering. II
heard the strains of a magnificent OF
gan, and then q sweet voice took up tn
song: "Where is Ny Wandering DO
Tonight"
The loiterer stopped and listened
"Just like the plot Of Sunday schoc
story" he muttered, with a cynica
smile. THAT songs bound to follo'
until it gets me-"
, He passed on down the street, the
, returned and stood drinking in ever
> note Of the sweet voice. 1t was 80 di
: ferent from the rustic rendering in tn
village church a week before, and "
= It was the same song-the simple litt
hymn of his boyhood days.
But there's nothing very strang
about It," he muttcred again. 1T ism
necessarily my guardian angel that
dinging that song into my ears just Il
my benefit. They're singing it in ever
, church in the land, reckon, In thei
days Of temperance revivals."
But Lovett turned and walked dow
the street. At No. 3o1 he rang the bel
"Is Mr.. Brigham IMP"
"Mr. Brigham does not wish to be di
turbed," replied the servant. HE h'
been very i'll"
Drawing q deep breath like r
prieved criminal, Lovett turned an
started up the street. The echoes OF b
: mothers song was still ringing In b
n ears. and now he heard the voice agai
How the sweet tones rose and fell, so r
0 plete with tender memories, calling hi
4 back from his pitiful hesitation.
Once more he returned to No. 301.
e "You may tell Mr.. Brigham that
e must see him. Ny business is very II
portant."
: He followed the servant into the
brary. An old man, gray-haired, We
D and pale, but with an eye as keen as
o that awful night week before. lookir
e up az he entered.
"Mr. Brigham, have brought you Il
J, money you lost In the wreck; here 1t is
The old man looked from the exten
h ed hand to Lovett's face In ope
6 mouthed establishment.
n swell. young man." he exclaimed
u last, you are queer one. Where d
you find it?"
), az got It in the wreck" said Love
u quietly. There's nothing to tell.
II have brought It all back except lit
used to come here"
0. But why did you bring 1t backP D
n you fear detection?"
u Loyett considered o moment.
,e ut wasn't that" he said. mo,
r wasn't fear Of detection. Nobody con