Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-07

s'S'A"NHtA'iigt not caught nfe,
SO far as We know, we are all
saved " was the thankful chorus that
Went round, as the passengers stood /
about on the snow stamping their feet
How on earth did we get our here.
mate? was the hoarse whisper from
one OF the blackened, smoked figures
wrapped in waterproof on the en-
CINE
i don't know" was the answer. Il
thought we was bound to roast in
the hre. but here we are, Beats all"
That's so; but we're safe: that's
good enough for me, anyhow"
The sooner you people get aboard
the cars again the better"
Il WAS a courteous. almost concilia-
tory voice, but il was the same that
a short time before had given the word
Of command that saved the trainful OF
human beings. Instantly the speaker
was surrounded and torrent OF
thanks assailed his ears.
Pray, don't oyerwhelm me-" He
raised his long, lean hands deprecat-
ingly. What have | done? Merely
suggested way out OF the difficulty"
But his modesty was overruled The
oFerwrought passengers found an out
LEI for their agitation In demanding
the name OF their preseryer. in order.
they said. TO add Ii To our prayers,
and teach IL TO our little ones"
My name Is Paul Ansdell. politely
said the stranger. Then he added hur-
riedly. as II to choke Of any further
/ questions: Il am scientist by pro-
tsssion. and am at present travelling
for material regarding a subject sug-
geaied by the society 10 which have
( the honor to belong hope / have
4 explained TO your satisfaction. ladies
aud gentlemen"
Under the courteous tones there was
/ distinct element OF mockery, which
served 10 chill the warm gratitude of
the passengers. In twos and threes
they dispersed. some 10 get aboard the
train into the shelter and comfort and
warmth. Others 10 stand in the snow
and watch with awe the roaring flames
now merelhlly behind them.
The weather tonight Is so dry-cold.
even for the time o. year. that the
Ere has got a firm hold, The whole
sheds doomed" said the guard. It's
bin wonderful deliyerance from an
awful death. gentlemen. We've need "a
thank God on our knees
hn rrfs ffas
hnddled together on the snow, which
the roaring fre lighted up around
them.
And. indeed. the delivered passen
gers were, each in his or her own way
thanking God
Here a young mother. her soft arm
round a little child, krelt in the snoS
murmuring. Near her clergyman
was. with lips rapidly moving, thank
ing God for his safety.
Here. again. an iron gray-haired ma
stood bowed for few seconds to OF
fer up his thanks for the frail inyali
wife. the love Of his youth, whom h
had Just lifted back into the car.
II was indeed solemn sight. tn
, little thanksgiving service out on IN
, snowy plains, upon which the gri'
, mountains frowned down through Ii
small. dry flakes OF falling snow.
Now il strikes me We should d
!. well 10 be getting ahead. The nigl
+. Is upon us. and can tell you IL wi
take us all we can TO stand the col'
= OF midnight and early morning.
: II was the voice Of Paul Ansdell tn
broke the spell. He was standing vii
arms folded on the rear platform
. the cars. looking down with haif-sh
{ eyes upon the reyerently bowed heai
OF his fellow travellers. No meanil
for him had this communing with .
Divine Creator. who had stretched o
!, n helping hand in the grave peril.
: Had any cry broken from his lips
!, ascend on high II would have been I
exceeding bitter one OF the Psaimis
:. Lord. why easiest Thou OF my sou
= why hidest Thou Thy face from me
e But Il was many a year since u
man had abandoned prayer. lie
- not an unbelIever in one sense. TOT
\ man knew better than Paul Ansd
that there exists an oyer-ruling Pow
- who moves and shapes humanity
- His will. Otherwise II would ma
:, been the worse for his fellow mi
:, seeing that Paul Ansdell held certa
" ill-gotten secrets that would have
), dowed himself with an fllimitaoie
- minion over the lives and the fortui
of others. But as II was he gnasf
:. his teeth over the checkmates Il
:. hIocked his wicked way and protec
~ his victims. So far the man had ia
n his larger and holder flights,
:. The two aims he lived for were
:, win colossal fortune. and to prese
~ his life as long as possible. To
a. To crumble into dust, was to MIN
=. hideous prospect, and he had no OF
~. his creed forbade all such. 10 s.
" himself more than his companions
=. had nut forth his utmost strength
will. He had succeeded strang'
az even marvelously. Paul Ans'
"a smiled contentedly as he lear
strangely exhausted for man
u. al