Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1917-10-17
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what the coming Of the lilac train
meant, for 1t was no new thing, this
sending Of q carload Of blossoms, some
times into the mining towns Of the
North, where the breath from the
smelters destroyed every vestige Of
vegetation; sometimes to the towns
that nestled high up the mountain
sides and shivered with their summer
frosts and biting winds from the SNOW
fields around them. Only last year
Copperville had been frightened by
the coming of the purple train," for
so it was called.
That night Miss 'Lizabeth set alone
on her little front porch and watched
the moon come slowly up from behind
the great mass Of the Wahsatch
range, and sail off into the blue vault
above, and as she watched she thought:
"Yes, I'll do it. It can't do any
harm. It if falls into Billy's hands,
he'll understand what it means. If it
doesn't, why the blossoms will cheer
someone's heart, and the other will
Just excite q little curiosity. Five
years ago, day after tomorrow, I got
off the train here, and Billy went up
north. The lilac train went just
ahead of his, and picked up one of
the blossoms that had fallen when they
were loading and handed it to him. I
don't know why I did it. Billy had
never asked me for promise Of any
kind, but I read something in his eyes,
all that year when I was boarding at
his mothers. No, don't know why I
did it, but when I handed him the
blossoms I said, I'll wait for you, Bill
ly, for years, If 1t is necessary and
then turned and fled to the waiting
room, and his train was just starting,
so he could not answer, but know
his heart"
An impatient crowd Of people had
been standing in the rain since early
morning, expecting momentarily to
hear the whistle Of the engine that
would bring the lilac car into the
Butte station. The noon whistles
sounded; still no evidence Of the COM
ing of the purple train; still a pour
ing rain, and still waiting mass Of
people; 12:15-12 :30-a whistle and
the crowd began to surge forward.
Into the station the engine painted,
and with a shout the anxious, weary
walters welcomed the men who stood
on the platforms with arms full OF
blossoms.
"Throw them this way, pardner."
"Give us few over here" "Don't for
get us. We can't get any closer" Such
were the cries that came up from vari-
GUS quarters as men, women and chill
dren reached and scrambled for the
flowers that came pouring upon them.
Coming with quick step down one of
the streets was man roughly dressed
in miners garb, and close behind him
another clad in neat brown business
suit, .:.a.I -
"Now, I do wonder if I am too late
for the lilac train?" soliloquized the
man in the lead. "'Twill be the first
one have missed since came into
Montana. Five years ago she gave me
q blossom that had fallen when they
were loading the lilac train, end then
she said to me, I'll wait for you, Billy
She read in my face what I did not
have the manhood to tell her. She
must have been sorry for me then, but
afterward she grew sorry for herself,
I suppose, for she didn't answer that
letter I wrote as soon as I got here
telling her how gladly I would work
now, knowing that she was waiting
for me. Well, she had to wait long
time, for luck was against me right
along; but I didn't care, since she was
waiting for me after oil. And now If
only could send her message saying
4 am coming, Billy it would be worth
all these years Of work and discour-
agement. I've seen people from there
many times since, but they didn't know
that I knew her and I never asked
about her-I was afraid, somehow, OF
what they might tell me, till about
month ago when the Sweet Lilac be-
gan to show rich streaks. All, I am
not too late" for he had come in
sight of the car, and in another mo-
ment he and the man in brown, who
had kept even pace with him for
block or more, were grasping fran
tically at large bouquet that came
over the head Of the crowds within
easy reach Of them.
"There, stranger" exclaimed the
miner, 81 beat you on that catch; but
there are enough here for two, so I'll
cut the string and 'divvy' up, as we
say in camp"
'.rYou are generous, SIR" answered
his late rival, land I will gladly pay
you any sum you may name for my
share Of them. My little sick daugh-
ter"
'Little sick daughter? Well, now,
do YOU think I'd sell you O few flowers