HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times, 1879-11-20, Page 2LEFT A.LONE.
'Well, this is providing,' exclaimed
IValter Ashton, as he eavtege!y undid
his wralil,inge one winter night when
the snow ley crisp On the frezen
streets and tite wind was bitter gold.
'Wily don't they act like Chriatians iu
that country (tryouts ?'' and be threw
his c•veroosit froin hinm iu a style so ut
terly at variance with his wonted regu-
lar habits that his young` wife turned
with a look of wonder from the bab
She was tucking in its got, saying
'Whatever is the mutter, Welter ?
'Matter 1' he 'cried throwing hiexlael
on the sofa, 'tomorrow is Christmas.
Day sad I have to start for Scotland
by to -night's mail. Sorivinton & Cash
insulted upon my carrying a pitolce't to
Edinburgh, and when I protested
against being sent at arch a time, they
gave me the alternative 'of lysing illy
situation ; for your sake and that of
of our babe there I could not afford
that. Why do they transact bnsinosa
on Christ'rnss Dey in your enlightened
land, Jennie ? I nppose an advanced
state of civilization is incompatible
with the observance of ancient ens -
toms,' ;and a slightly perceptible sneer
was nn his face. Any sympathy he
might have had with Presbyterieneam
\vee shaken by its nonobservance of a
Christmas festival, necessitating his
jrmrneying nort•hwarde at a seaeou.
which custom has made sacred to en-
joyment in the mere son
wish they lid keep Christmas for
your sake, Walter,' said his wife, as
she bustled about preparing his even•
ing neem.
'And a night, too, th'lt would freeze
the breath ont of an Esgnimanx,' he
grumbled, attacking the food with a
recklessness which hcd• d ill for its di-
gestion.
'Sorivinton was kind, though irpera
five,' he observed presently, his man•
uner softening considerably. 'Here
are five pnnnds he sent as n Christmas
present for baby ;' and he laid five
sovereigns on the table, directing a
loving look tit the little sleeker. 'Net
a bail sort the governor, after ell,' he
continued, 'in spite of his crabbed
ways and surly look ; 1 never thought
flim capable of such generosity.'
'It must he very important bnsiness,'
dreamily observed his wife, the glitter
of the gold failing to light the gloom
that was creeping over her, unchecked
even by the rising spirit •of her hus-
band.'
'Ye:',' he replied,"deeds of great valne
and as there is reason to fear an organ-
ised plot to -tea'thein, they are to he
taken to Edinburgh by. special mes-
senger. Kin—swing that I am• 'familar
with the gay metropolis, they pitched
upon me as the unfortunate. If it
were not that I fours you there, • I
would wish that 1 never ;had Been it,'
he added parenthetically.
'Yet you were happy there, and nev-
er tired of pruisiligotie bean ties of Auld
lteekie,' all tate Scot glowing on her
face while she spoke.
'Circumstances alter cases, my girl,'
he replied, laughing ; 'and if I don't
love the 'land of the mountain and the
flood,' I love one of its daughters, a.td
that's enough for you and rue. But,
come, 1 mast prepare ; qtr. Sorivinton
and our manager are to meet me at the
station, when the precincts packet will
be delivered into my care and a safe
start seers to.'
Two hours later Walter Ashton had
left his home. He had kissed his wife
with a 'good bye, Jeanie ; if we cannot
spend a merry Clhrietmes together, we
shall have e happy New Year.' Ile
heal fondled his baby girt, while the
little augers had been. twisted in his
whiskers, and in: childish glee bad en-
deavoredatngonge his eyes out, and he
dreampt not that thnets eyes of bright-
est belts would look in his nevermore.
'Came, A3hton,' ler. Scriviuton said,
a9 they met platform, 'the train
goes in a few ininntes. 1 have ongag-
eri a compartment for you, so that
there shall be on annoyance from fel-
Iow•travelleitt, and ata the carriage goes
rigtht throngh there will be no 0800 El*
city far changing.'
They ontared the, firet..nlaes com-
partment, when n packet, sealed,: and e
addressed to an Edinbnrgh firm of sow
hoitorft, wart di livered to Natter, with
injunctions to be Quetta and prompt
is its delivery ; thou with a shake of
the band and a bon. 'voyage the meeseng-
er was left. The door was locked, and
in the slamming of many doers iii laid
ears, then the shrill scream of the whit•
Me, a sharp jerk, and a sense of onward
motion, and ho leaned back iu luxuri-
ous 'ease.
A sharp click, and the turned to see.
the door open arid a man jump in,
while a purser ran gesticulating along
e side ; but he heeded not his shoats be
,yond saying, 'All right, my friend
here's my ticket. for Carlisle, holding
f lrl> his baud the while. The ofcial
was outpaced and the train plunged in-
to the tunnel which unites central with
suburban Liverpool.'
'A. narrow shave that,' remarked the
stranger presently. 'This little friend
has eaved mo well on similar occasions.
If yon ate addicted to travelling get
some firiendly blacksmith to mulattostura one for von ; it woutd be sure to
prove useful .;' and he hold nut a key
for Walter's inspection.
'But this compartment is private,
and that key has enabled you to in-
trude on a privacy I had hoped to on -
joy, as it is paid for.'
-Very sorry,' maid the other, and his
manner seemed to deprecate the wish
to intrude ; 'very sorry indeed, bet my
1 uuwelevino presence must be borne un-
til we reach Warrington. That's the
first place at whichour train stops. 1
shall change there.'
With a rind Walter acquiesced pith
this arrangement, his manner indicat-
ing a desire to break off further con-
verbe; but the intruder seemed nbiivi-
oua to the hint.
'I cel•'greothed fromDublin yester-
day, he said, as if anxi'us to explain
the cense of his preeence, 'informing
my old wom:tu that I should be homeon Chrietrni:s morning, and had near-
ly broken my promise. That old tub
of a i;teamer rolled and tutnbled like a
lame duck in a storm ; and it's no
joke oroseing the Irish Sen in such
weather, I Oen tell yon. When I ar•
rived is Liverpool I fait id it was al-
most hopeless to 'catch the train. I
bribed the driver of a hansom with doll
ble fare ; and if thnt broken down
thoroughbred of his hied done what
was asked it on the turf ns well as itln
performed its task to -night, no nae
would have shone brighter in the list
of equine heroes.'
Ele paused as if expecting' Walter to
make sumo observation, andnotie be-
ing for'hcoming, wrapped a cloak
around him tightly, saying : 'Douse me
at Warrington. I shall have a snooze.'
A short time and the slackening
speed showed thet the junction was
ntear; and now to arouse the sleeper.
Yet it was oruel, Walter thought, to
disturb a wearied man, worn •ont,
doubtless, by being tossed on a stormy
Bea, and harassed by his race against
time throngh theLiverpool etreets; and
the train was stopped before the souse
of duty, being paramount to such con-
siderations, nerved him to shake the
sleeper, and shout in hie ear that now
was the time to change.
Incoherent utterances wore the only
answer tc his endeavor nntil the trail,
was ag in in motion, when the mein
aroee with a start, and seeming to real-
ize his position, apiilugized with appar-
eut fervor, and threw himself down,
attain inveighing against; his own stn•
pidity.
Tneu away with a rumble across the
open country, and with a crashing
rattle throustlt rocky enttiugs they
sped ; throngh darksome tunilels,erbere
foul gases like a choke damp obstrnet-
ed the respiration ; now twinkling
lights would indicate some town or vil-
lage. end deep rhadows where a etretotr
of woodland shrouded the blue to the
etnrlit sky.
•The eontnie by repetition grew rno•
notonons, and Walter's eyes grew dim.
Eto made an effort to rouse nimself, bnt
it was half hearted at best. The
'sweet restorer' cattle unwooed, and
things materiel faded from his •sight.
Then from the corner a pair of eyes
shone, and their glitter spoke a fierce
purpose, and a voice unuttered in a, low
harsh tone, 'At last.'
The man anise stealthily ; a small
bottle was in his banal, which he eppli
;ed to the sleeper's nostrils ; then rap.
idly the packet wee abstracted frothe
breast pocket of the helpless messeng
r.
'''What ehitll I do with him ?' said
the deeperstdr', with clenched teeth.
Must I open the door and yitch him
out ?' and he because awareof the
shricicing of the whistle' and the less
coming speed of the train. 'Why we
are going to stop !and---- '
There was a crash. The oal'ringe
seethed to double no,and he knew no
Iriorti until, andlCidtito ruins of the
train," he' awoke. to• Ilillt' oons.eiousneas
that there had been a oolli'tion, and
that he w'ae onvered with debrts. Ile
stretched out his hand to feel for an
opening, and it came in coutact with a
fent, the touoh telling that death was
there. He ehnddered, knowing that
his victim lag by his aide. IIe •saw
lights flashing and heard the groans of
with the sorrowing, and shall be Mad
if yon can think me your friend,
'Von have been very kind,' .she re.
plied, and tier looks spoke her thanks
more than her lips, ,
'Titke this,' be said, putting a purse
iu her lhantle ; "nay, .do not rerutte, 1
Omit deduct it from the insurance
money.'
Then they parted, one to purene an
unknown course,. the other to watch
the removal of the wrecked, train, and
to watch in vain.
the maimed and the dying. Freein
himself with a desperate effort,he fun
that, beyond bruises and a severe slink
ing, no injury had been received, and
1 he stunk (may into the darkness, whi-
ther I knew not, only anaions to leave
behind that scone of euffering and
death.
And Walter,Asltton they found with
a beam across his breest, and with
etaring eyea, whence life bad fled. Rev-
erently they laid him on the bank he -
side others past human eid and when
the eters went ont.and the light came
np in the•eastorn sky on the Christmas
morn the kande that a few hours be-
fore had fondled a loving wife, and tile
line that had kissed the first pledge of
their affction, were frozen on that
bleak railway embankment, while the
news of the catastrophe was being
flashed to homes where expectation
was turned to woe.
With the first train from Liverpool
came lir. Sorivinton to Jeanie Aeletnn.
A terrihle won was pictured nn her
wan face and shown in the burn of
lgrieif that gnivered throngh every limb.
"dlr. Scrivint•on tried to eeinfort her in
his irrnff war, but condolence wee not
his forte ; he know it, and gave up the
attempt. His own anxiety c'incornint;
the safety of the„pnoket mate him rest-
less and ill at ease. The journey seem-
ed interminable in him impatience to
rent the scene of the disaster.
'When they arrived at 11i«ilichnrry
the evidences of the calamity were seen
in the ehattereil corriagltm heaped up
where strung hands had piled them to
clear the line.
No souude of rnerry-malting were
heard in Mitidlohurry mat Christmas
Day. Tho belle in the tower of the
gnaint old church ted been silent nn
this feetiaal for the first time in the
memory of man. A shallow had fallen
there, bxtinguishing the mirth that
had blazed forth the night before.
Hushed voices remarked and eyes
full of sympathy saw the passing of a
middie-aged gentleman with a young
woman by his side, in whose acme nes-
tled a bah', as they wended their wn.T
to the ancient host!ery of the 'Dog and
Gun,' where the victims lay awaiting
inentifhcatinn.
The sad scene was over, and the wi-
dowed mother slept the sleet) of ex-
hanst.ion when the body is fall of no.
rest, and the soul lingers on the bor-
der•laud of reality.
Itlr. Serivintnn had ewamined the
clothing of his (lead clerk in search of
the packet he had entrusted In him.bnt
the search was fraitlees. Nothing else
was missing, Money, railway and in•
durance tickets, which he himself aro•
cnred were there. IIe too retired, hop -
mg to find the pepers among the wreck
to•rnorrow.
The morrow brought another grief
to Jeanie Litwin. She awoke to find
her child in its firs' sbrnegle with the
grim destroyer. The calla winter wind
bad chilled the young life, and in a few
hours the end woulct onme hnnrs in-
to which was concentrated a lifetime of
anguish for that helpless mother, and
when Mr.. Sorivinton returned in the
evening cold, weaey and nnenocessful,
he learnt that one more floweret was
blooming in the better land.
They laid father and child together
in that quiet corner of God's Acre
where many generations ot Middlebnr•
fans sleep, where the snow -drops were
soon to peep forth with their 'promise
of spring, and the lilac and hawtlhorn
were soon to scent the breeze in the
glorions summer time,. But winter
was in the heart of the willow as she
was led gently away by Mr. Scrivin
tun, who was strangely touched by the
silent sorrow of his companion. 1Iith-
erto he had ben but little interested in
mankind, but now clinging to his arms
one who wakened sympathy which is
akin to that rias which sooner or later
domes to the majority of mankind.
'Yon had better return to your peo-
ple, Mrs. Ashton,' he said when they
returned to the inn, 'and I shall see to
all yonr boniness matters in Liverpool.'
'1 Mtge no people,' site anewered,and
a world of deadness was in her tones.
I am lett alone, I shall go to Edin-
burgh.' she snip rafter a while, 'I know
hat plana best, and shall be likelier to
am my bread there than elite/whetted
Se it was arranged that she should
opnrt by the night train.'
'1 an entirely b'rslnees pian,' said
Mr. Sorivinton on shying goodbye,
'and my manners may seem uncouth,
being unused to the gentler influences
whish make smooth the exterior, hitt I
hope I have none the WS ft oympt•11:y
[TO BE OnNCLUDED NEXT WEEK.]
ijNati�nal Policy
•
e
d
PLOWS, and SCOTCH DIAMOND
HARROWS
oonstantly on hand and made to order
I EoMILLAN S i cBRIDE
laving now renter fseilitiesthan ever, are pre-
pared to supply fanners with iron Uottlo P1uwt
Steel Mould Board, outdo by ourselves ; Uhilf
Plows, Huauper make: Seotoh Diamo„dHarrows
Cultivators, Gnus ''lows,
Carriages anti buggies an hand, and made to or-
der. k: orse shoeing att.•tida.d to on the shortest
notice, Horses slim] to prevent iuterferiug.
Dio\IILLAN tC Ilist%rido, Ring St.,1 unsa11
GGItAY'S SPECIE .° MEDICINE.
TRADE M..4R;C.'VileGi.iat.EnrlisliTRADE MR,RR.
ltomodv,nn nnfail
`c' )
, Int! curt. for Seim.- _ °^��`�
nal ' iVeskness, '41.1;;;'.5,F. J
Sperms t,rAieit!,}
Impnt nt.y,and'itli .;.t/
Diseases that fol-
low a Abuse,
�t
of Solt Abuhuao, na
loss of Memory, �,\
Before Takiugt n'e rain i Law-
After Taking,
Baok,Dimness of vision Premature old age, and
many other Diseases dint lead to Insanity or
Cnusumptiou and n Premature grave. t-i'I'till
partiocilarn in our pamphlet, which we desire to
send free hymen to everyone, F. -"The Specific
Medicine is soldby all druggists at 'taper package
or six packages For i;u. or will be sent bynntil on
receipt of tho money by addressing
TE11; GRAY 11I.) (i t'E CO.,
TOBa T0, ON r., CANADA.
5 Sold in Exeterhy all druggists, and evorv-
where in Canada :inti the Uuitod Statos by whole.
sale and retail druggists.
N, B.—'she demand of oar'nlefuess hero neces-
sitated our removing to Tnuonto, to whioh,place
please address all future communicatons.
THE EXETER
Planing Mill, S ash,
DOOR AND
tx B
ALL KINDS OF
TU -R NING
Done to order.
Itementherthe place
;X"tr'ea' newscl Eros.
Marble Wow ks.
W, D. WEEK ES
Dealer in
MONUMENTS,
HEADSTONES,
MANTLE PIECES.
FURNITURE TOPS, t&e.
Cemetery Work of all kinds neatly
executed.
Doors North ot Drew's nail, lain street
dila E T E,FL
UP WIT
1
Nov MB `. 20,1ST
>r
II KINSMAN, DJt,N'Tlti'P,
Liooll4iate ot1 n..'1ansz�tTnt
the Dental
College of on
aeric, may be
eonsult'd any
day, Office --
next door to
Clio Post Office, Exottir.Ont.
TJaiA9'\\1'tT BLA0KS1I4TIl ti1-IU I'
IN• ea
W. 13UCI{IN et. O!It'i l a 1,A-
1+lxetst li it s HAM, ctan I
, Cntnninllne�l.
bitsinersinthe "0Q'- W.'retinal e't
at\VIncheIsee
."+^" and Is ore -
pa lid to do alt;•4�sea,,kiwiothihtok
siuithingwork Nome shoe-
fng,pe daily attended to, Promptness cheapness
audgood work guaranteed, A °allsolic16eti.
18.3111W, itUOTiIN(,''alit.
NE W GOODS. GOODS
Constantly arriving at W. D. adeG'loghlon's
Mawututlt Jewellery utero, 190, Duttdlti, atroc.t,
Hendon, Out rio. Whounicer you visit the 1' or -
GS o Utty uon't fail to visit this lino estaultsttuiotit,
the only first -Macs store of the kind iu the City,
and best arranged Jewellery store in the Dom?
nom. Ulm W, L, Metiloghltm Watch stands' un-
rivalled. All who use them reoomtneud „them to
their tr.onds. A11 kinds of \Va.tohts itl htock,
Clocks ut every tksoription: Roth Jewellery of e-
ery style, Diamonds and Pi scions Stones, Panty
Goods, Spectacles, and all W odding taint s,
Wateuos, Clouts, and Jrweliery repaired nu.l
warranted IN 0.14lc1iLuC*HLON.
Allan Lino!
LIVERPOOL,
LONDONDI•RRY,
GLASGOW
,Short secta passage-._F.rnnoiny—Cow fort—
St f ety.'
CABIN, INTERMEDIATE AND STEERAGE
TICKETS AT LOWEST RATES.
•EVERY SATURDAY PROM Q Rabic.
Moravian .R+"ovemfirr SfTr.
Parties wishing to bmiug out their tri nes fromthe old sone ry will save money by bnging their
tick.ts• at, the' office of. the agent at ..Exeter.
Every information concerning route,ete, by ap-
plying to
CAPT. G KEMP, Exeter.
Rig tlQ0profrts nn01'do80 nays lave+snfneuu ot(�tq fy^1
—talltopnits Prem— v
Proportional returns overy ac eek on Stool ei,,,w,.w
05 : 3a, ` m 50, - tAleO, - ti Soo. Adone.
T. POTTER WIGHT it 00., Bankers, 36 wail
St N. Y.
$1O to $1000 ell Rtrurt
inrt:inrs
act ry mouth. Jinnk ••eat
free explaining everything, address BAXTER 5
CO,, lhaukera, 7 Wall St.,N, Y.
4e1 Elegant Chromo Cards, with. name, Dot
paid 10 coats. L. Jones ..5 CO., Naesao,N. Y.
1.8 Tilrgant New Style Chrome C.!ards, v,•ithname
1Oe.post•paid. Geo. I. Reed h Co, Ntessau,N.Y,
$717amontli,and o'nensesgunrauteocitoagents
t[Wi Il f1 nutlltiroo. Srttw do oo, Augusta, llIainn.
t!p? Y I A YSATt and expenses to agents
�kti�� ()atilt free. Address P. O. Vickery.
Augusta, Maine.
$5oto$„0�9tltlyti nCntctonnly linn.totl
0 Wall t.utouuaann-
for Ca1,i ,%evrr y
utm
nwul:, a%ri p,ye lem+n p, na n b• t \
he,.+v 'alireti n
ttynt rim of over/Wog la . a.okx. 1`en oNidnnatlnnpin rnn••pr'•u-
ttutt. to. A„e US, lntuwr .b CO., tiatakora, Rd Brood St., IS. Y.
AGENTS READ THIS
We will pay Agents a Salary of $100 per month
1 and expenses, or allow a large commission to sell
1 our newartdwonclorfnlinventions. We mans what
wo say. Sample free. A,1dress,
SitE1tt\tAN ,5 CO., Mar hall. Mich.
% �V 18 stole. 8 set Golden Tonrfa
E SORGAN;a
} 13 sto s zea 3 kueo Swolla,
Walnut Case, warn -Vet 0 years
—o—
P.IRTIES INTENDING
TO .PURCSIASE
ORGANS
SEIOULD CALL AT
tr rrT'
and Examine hie Stook.
the Beet that are Made.
DCTh1I11I0N OII$AN OO'$,
Stools & Books, only o388. Now 7 Oct. Pianos,
Stool, Cover, & honks, only 5143 75. Latest illus-
trated Newspaper sent free. Address DANLBL
r.BLAT1'1, Washington .N.3.
"AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE"
Selling s reliable patented article. A. good honest
business that pays. Send two three-ceu- Stamps
to L. C. Benton, Se, Thomas, Ont., For circulars
and instructions. Write at once and secure et
good agency.
SPENCERIAN STEEL. PENS.
Superior kIng
Itch make. A
sample card
of one oaah of
the TwitiTTir
numbers for
trial, by mall.
on receipt of
20 cents.
ALBE. BUNTIN & CO., Montreal
Sole Agents for Canada.
•�e`s{sxc�V,mar
m,umuy.-nrrtc do s
^�si_ly,rtydtT.,y�ilC ;'rr:.i r1
Advertisers addYsing
Geo. P. Rowell & Co's
Newspaper Advertising Bureau, 10, Sprneo St.,
New York, can learn tho oxn.et cost of any pro-
osed lino of ADVERT/SING in Autorioan News-
papers.
ta#, 3011 -page PAmuttlet., tOC.,tE't