Year: 1879




papers were in the pocket of mine, and
these did not wish to lose.


| took the eight o'clock train for Clifton
My attention was so much attracted by the
scenery that was presented TO my view as
the train sped on its way, that soon forgot
about the exchanged overcoats.


All the day and night the train went
swiftly on its way, stopping occasionally to
receive or deposit passengers or to obtain a
fresh supply of water.


As the train stopped at a station a few
miles from Clifton, just at the dawn of day,
| was Mortified to hear that the train taken
by Lew and his comrade had been thrown
from the track and several of the passengers
killed. / dreaded to hear the particulars of
the disaster.


When arrived at Clifton, the town was
much excited over the wrecked train. Full
particulars had been received, and l was
surprised to find my own name among the
Killed, Immediately remembered the over
coats. There now remained no doubt as to
my dear friend being among the killed.


My parents were saved from great agony
by my arrival home before they had learned
that my name was on the list.
After spending two days at home once
mere took passage in the stage-coach for
Benton. There were several other passen-
gers, and the time passed pleasantly away
during the first day and the forenoon of the
second. But then an unexpected difficulty
retarded our progress. One of the wheels
of the coach broke and had to be repaired
before we could proceed. This occupied
the remainder of that day and all the next;
| so that the evening | should have been with
my Lenora found me several miles away.
Immediately after the accident a messen-
ger was dispatched TO Benton with the mail
on horseback. | was absent with two or
| three others getting timber with which to
repair the broken wheel when he started,
and knew not that he was going until he
was several miles on his way. Hence
did not send a line to Lenora explaining my
failure to arrive. However, | consoled my
self by thinking that the messenger would
make matters sufficiently plain, and all
would yet be well.


On the morning of the fourth day we re-
sumed our Journey As twilight began to
change into darkness, the coach drew up
and stopped in front of large brick build
I iny in Benton, and the passengers alighted
and dispersed


| walked along the street to the residence
of Lenora's father. | knocked at the door
and was admitted. There quite an unex-
pected scene met my vision. Instead of
| Lenora and her parents meeting me with
extended hands, they did not appear con-
scious Of my entrance. Lenora sat on the
sofa, evidently panied at the contents of a
letter which she held in her hand. a pack
age of papers lay beside her on the sofa.
Near her sat her father and mother.
stood for a moment in utter amaZement.
Not a sound was to be heard save the sobs
! Of LenOra. In astOnishment | drew near TO
where they sat. The young lady who ad-
mitted me into the parlOr did not offer me
a seat. but advanced with me to where they
were in silence. As | drew near each face
was turned toward me. LenOra's eyes
beamed one moment on me, and then she
fell fainting into my arms, her only words
being, at is John" We laid her on a bed
and administered such restoratives rs soon
produced consciousness again. While this
was transpirIar, her father unraveled the
cause of the mysterious circumstances which
had just taken place.


1t was late in the evening of that day
when they heard CT the messengers arrival
with the mail. Lenora went to the office
hoping TO receive a letter from me explain
ing NV non arrival. She received letter
and package which she supposed to be
from me, and returned home. Her first
glance at the contents sent a pang to her
heart. 1t was from gentleman in a dis
tant town, stating that John Lawrence had
been killed in the recent disaster, and
! his papers and money had been sent to her.
BY the time her father had finished these
explanations, Lenora had so far revived as
to sit up and listen to my story of the ex'
changed coats, and that it was my friend,
Lew Rowland, who was killed.


We opened the package and found, be
side my letters, over 5000 in bank notes
wrote to one of Lewis brothers in regart
to the money; but before his reply arrived
| received letter from-Lew. He wa:
not dead. as reported, but had only received
slight injury, from which he had recov
cred He had loaned his overcoat to an in
valid young man, who was killed when III,
disaster occurred. As he had on the over
coat that contained my letters and papers
it naturally resulted in the mistake that wa
: made


With LEWIS assistance the money wa
: restored to the proper parties.
4 few weeks afterward Lenora and
were married In the following spring w
moved out here on the farm, where we hav
l lived and loved ever since.