Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1890 — FATE OR DESTINY? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FATE OR DESTINY?

BY COOTIE WILLIAMS.

day was cold and s*os cloudy, and I was far from being in a happy state of L mind, in anticipation of a [U tiresome journey, as I rs boarded the train en route \ to the city of S . whither \ I w(18 going on professional business. My route lav

through a monotonous stretch of country, and I could only promise myself a most tedious trip. I glanced down the car as I entered, in search of a seat, when my eves fell on a beautiful young lady,"a blonde, and rather petite—just the sort of a little woman who, with her willful, bewitching, winsome ways, can at once win a place in the heart of an impressionable man. “By Jove! The face I have seen in my dreams for years!” I exclaimed, under my breath, as I seated myself opposite and proceeded to make myself comfortable. I sat for some time apparently deeply interested in a book, while, in truth, I was pondering the question in my mind as to how I should make the acquaintance of the young lady. Growing desperate, I decided to speak to her, for delay was dangerous. She m i(?ht get off at the next station, and then she would be lost to me forever. I was a crusty old bachelor and had scorned the thought of woman for years, yet I felt I had met my fate, and the conqueror was the little golden-haired girl who sat opposite me, totally unconscious of the impression she had made. I noticed that her handkerchief had fallen, and, seizing the opportunity to speak to her, I said: “Pardon me, Miss, I believe this belongs to you,” as I placed the article in her small, white hand. “Thank you, sir,” she replied, with a smile, which made me more completely her captive. We were soon conversing with the freedom of friends, and before the day had drawn to a close I had learned much of Madeline’s past life and future prospects, and had received her promise of a letter as soon as she reached her destination. While I sat there, completely charmed by my new friend, I little thought of what lay before us, as the great engine pushed on, drawing its burden nearer every moment to the terrible fate which awaited it. The engineer of our train had received orders to side-track at P and wait for the lightning express going south, but instead of'doing this, he had attempted to reach the next station, a distance of several miles further on. Our train, dashing along at a furious rate, suddenly turned a curve, and the sight which met the engineer’s eye caused his heart to leap with terror, as he realized what must be the eost of his recklessness. A short distance ahead of him the express was thundering along at the rate of fifty miles an hour. Engines were reversed and every effort made to stop the trains, but it was too late. Like two monster demons bent upon the destruction of one another, the great machines came together. There was a horrible, deafening crash, and then alf was darkness, confusion, chaos. I was struck on the head by a heavy piece of timber, which rendered me unconscious and shut out the sufferings of my fellow-passengers. When consciousness returned, a young girl was bending over me, and a sweet voice said: “Ralph, my darling, speak to me, and tell me you will live for my sake.” I had been carried into a neighboring farm-house immediately after the accident, where I had been for days struggling for life, tenderly nursed and cared for by my brave little Madeline. Many weeks elapsed, and winter had gii en place to spring with its birds and flowers, before I was able to leave the farm-house where, notwithstanding my illness, I had found such happiness, and had won the love of a noble woman. Madeline is my wife new, and, though we cannot decide whether it was Fate or Destiny which caused us both to start on that eventful journey the same day, we fully agree that the collision, which was pronounced a “frightful calamity” by the world, was to us a blessing in disguise.