Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-02-08
In the Fowler's e..
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BY NJ. b. NJ ANW ELL
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rush to examine the cars, which had
providentially, not caught fire.
$50 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
rnate?" was the hoarse whisper from
one of the blackened, smoked figures
wrapped in waterproof ON the en-
CINE.
Il don't know" was the answer. 81
thought we was bound to roast in
the fire. 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"
1t was courteous, almost concilia-
tory voice, but it 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 a torrent OF
thanks assailed his ears.
Pray, don't oveTwhelm mel" He
raised his long, lean hands deprccau-
ingly. What have I done? Merely
suggested way out Of the difficulty"
But his modesty was overruled. The
overWrought passengers found an out
let for their agitation in demanding
the name OF their preserver, in order,
they said, ito add it to our prayers,
and teach it to our little ones"
MY name is Paul Ansdell," politely
said the stranger. Then he added hur-
rledly, as if to choke off any further
questions: II am scientist by pro-
fession, and am at present travelling
for material regarding a subject sug-
gested by the society to which I have
the honor to belong. I hope l have
explained to your satisfaction, ladies
and gentlemen"
Under the courteous tones there was
distinct element of mockery, which
served to chill the warm gratitude Of
the passengers. In twos and threes
they dispersed, some to get aboard the
train into the shelter and comfort and
warmth; others to stand in the snow
and watch with awe the roaring flames
now mercifully behind them.
"The weather tonight is so dry-cold,
even for the time O. year. that the
fire has got a firm hold. The whole
sheds doomed" said the guard. Its
bin a wonderful deliverance from an
awful death. gentlemen. We've need to
thank God on our knees"
The man looked round on the groups
huddled together on the snow, which
the roaring fire lighted up around
them.
And, indeed, the delivered passen-
gers were, each in his or her own way,
thanking God.
Here young mother, her soft arms
round little child, knelt in the snow
murmuring. Near her a clergyman
was, with lips rapidly moving. thank
ing God for his safety.
Here, again, an iron gray-haired man
stood bowed for a few seconds to Of
fer up his thanks for the fral invalid
wife, the love of his youth, whom he
had just lifted back into the car.
1t was indeed a solemn sight, the
little thanksgiving service cut on the
snowy plains, upon which the grim
mountains frowned down through the
small, dry fakes Of falling SNOW
"Now it strikes me we should do
we'll to be getting ahead. The night
is upon us, and can tell you it will
take US all we can to stand the colds
Of midnight and early morning"
It was the voice of Paul Ansdell that
broke the spell. He was standing with
arms folded on the rear platform Of
the cars, looking down with half-shut
eyes upon the reverently bowed heads
of his fellow travellers. No meaning
for him had this communing with the
Divine Creator, who had stretched out
a helping hand in the grave peril.
Had any cry broken from his lips to
ascend on high it would have been the
exceeding bitter one OF the Psalmist:
Lord, why easiest Thou off my soul?
Why hidest Thou Thy face from me?"
But it was many year since this
man had abandoned prayer. He was
not an unbeliever in one sense, for no
man knew better than Paul Ansdell
that there exists an overriding Power,
who moves and shapes humanity at
His will Otherwise It would have
been the worse for his fellow men,
seeing that Paul Ansdell held certa n
ill-gotten secrets that would have en-
dowed himself with an illimtable do
minion over the lives and the fortunes
of others. But as it was he CRASHED
his teeth over the checkmates that
blocked his wicked way and protected
his victims. So far the man had faith
in his larger and holder fights
The two aims he lived for were to
win a colossal fortune, and to preserve
his life as long as possible. To de,
to crumble into dust, was to him a
hideous prospect, and he had no other
his creed forbade all such. To save
himself more than his companions he
had put forth his utmost strength Of
will. He had succeeded strangely,
even marvelously. Paul Ansdell
smiled contentedly as he leaned,