Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-12-22


feet on Mrs. Saher's feelings, and cause,
her to flutter about with merry smile
Seven, half past seven, eight o'clocl
chimed the pretty French clock on thu
mantel. what can make them so late? p
abe wondered, as she sat nervously tap
ping her ACKNOWLEDGEMENT foo
against the fender; on the stroke Of nine
Sara ushered them In.
"At last" said she, smilingly greet
ing than. "I began to think something
dreadful had happened"
eve thought you wouldn't care to go,
satr her sister-in-law
oh, I don't mind the weather." re-
piled Helen; then, noticing they were
not in evening dress, she exclaimed
with a catch in her voice: why, aren't
you going?"
~ suppose you haven't heard from
Harold to-day, Helen?" asked her
brother-in-law, ignoring her question
and looking helplessly at his wife.
Eyes, have" she replied, smiling.
What? When?" they both exclaimed
together.
Harold will be here for breakfast, l
had wire about five o'clock"
LET me see it," said Dick, eagerly.
Dick, Alice!" exclaimed Helen, lool-
ing from one to the other anxiously;
what has happened? Why do you both
act so strangely? Has anything hap
pened to Harold?"
And then it was the woman who
arose to the emergency, though her hus-
band had promised to do it.
Helen, dearest" said Alice, slipping
her arm caressingly around her, there
has been railway accident, and Har-
old's name is among the injured" She
could not tell her among the dead But
don't be alarmed; as you have heard so
recently, there must be some mistake
"Oh, Alice! Oh, Dick!" she cried, ut
terly collapsing, while Dick proceeded
to explain that Harold's business house
had had wire from place called Three
Cocks Junction, and they had sent
for him, "and we have been tele-
graphing for particulars. Il hap
pened about noon, but now l feel
certain, Helen, since seeing Harold's
message, that there must be some
mistake, though they found letters
addressed to Harold, care of his firm, in
this mans pocket They did not wish to
alarm you until they had full particulars,
but you must keep up your courage till
you hear from me. am going there to-
night, and Alice will stay with you.
What puzzles us all is whatever took
him to that place, as it is not on his route,
and now his wire is still more puzzling.
Be brave. think we will find Harold
is all right, said poor Dick, trying his
best to brace his sister-in-law up. I
Il shall go with you. Dick" said Helen,
quietly.
"Oh, no; it's bad night 1 may not
be able to get through" said he, in dis
tressed voice. TITS better for me to 90
alone, and l will wire you Immediately
al particulars"
please say no more against it, Dick.
shall die of anxiety before morning if
stay here"
In spite of all their protestations, she
insisted on going, ana hey arranged to
meet her and Sara at EustQn station for
the 1850 train that night.
The fog had not lifted, and the cab
man had to walk his horse, now and
then getting off to lead him, oftentimes
not knowing where he was. Poor Sara's
heart was in her mouth; she begged to
get out and walk.
The nearer they got to their destina-
ton the more nervous they became. 1t
was just getting daylight as the short
train pulled into the little station. 1t
was damp and cold; a cold that pene-
trated to your very marrow and sent
the cold chills creeping up and down
your back. The only person to be seen
on the narrow platform was the station
master, who peered curiously at them
from under his dark smoky lantern.
Dick explained to him in few words.
and he piloted them silently across the
green to a little brick schoolhouse that
had been temporarily fitted up for q
morgue. AS he opened the door 1t
creaked on its hinges. 1.-THE good Lord
have mercy on u.s." groaned Sara as
they entered a cherries, uncarpeted,
narrow hall, dimly lighted by a smoking, |
smelling lamp hanging from the side of
the wall. He halted before door at the
end, and said: 1.-THE dead are in here. |
Will you all go in-or-"
eyes; proceed" said Dick.
"Never heard of dead folks in school
before" muttered Sara.
AS the station master put his hand on
the noisy latch poor Dick was clutched
on all sides by his three trembling COM
panions, all trying to get through the
door at one time, and they entered the
room in bunch.
Never did they forget that sight A
big, square room; cold, damp and dirty.
Five long tables with a coarse white
cloth stretched across them occupied
the middle of the room. At one end was
a little dais with small kitchen table,
TO Peop1e with Weak L