CHAPTER XIX. CARS WAIT! "WHAT a glorious place to dance in," said a young girl, as she left the evening train of cars, and sprang into the drawing-rooms of the R. house. Suiting the action to the word, and humming a gay tune, she glided gracefully down the room. As she approached the lounge where I was sitting, and threw herself by my side, I said : "My dear young lady, these rooms have seen many a beautiful group engaged in the whirling waltz. Such a company assembled here one night, gay and happy as yourself. "Two young gentlemen, heated with wine from yonder bar, entered. They soon engaged in dancing; when in some way a slight insult, real or unintentional, was offered in the cotillon to the vis a vis of one of them. "Her brother instantly drew a revolver, and shot the offender dead. Just there he fell; but the murderer stalked at large, unpunished. 66 Ah, yes, it is a fine room for a dance; but other scenes are witnessed here. Three weeks ago, I was sitting in the lovely balcony, enjoying the fine view of these lofty heights around our city, and watching the arrival of the evening train. On it came, just as usual, puffing and clattering; it stopped, and forth poured the usual stream of ladies and gentlemen, children and servants. But who could have imagined that one car was laden with corpses? Ghastly, disfigured, broken and bruised, scattered limbs-drenched hair-beauty mangled, silken robes, laces and cloaks, jewels and watches, outer garments, hats and veils, all in mingled confusion-all death's doings in one moment. Plank after plank, bore in the dead! Silently they entered, and laid them around this great room. Then followed the sufferers- the bruised and maimed- and who can describe the horror of that scene? The anguish of the wife, as she looks upon the wreck of her young husband! The daughter, weeping over the terrible wounds of her aged father! No time for dancing that night. "It was a short story. In winding up that steep ascent, which lies midway on the route, some obstruction overturned the car, and over the rugged rocks it went, making several revolutions before it reached the bottom of the ravine. "Grief and tears, sighs and groans, echoed in these halls a few days, and then gave way to the merry sound of mirth and festivity. "The coffins and shrouds - the ghastly faces and broken limbs, all sweep by, and the solemn lesson is quickly forgotten. "The assembly again fills the rooms. A lovely young lady, of distinction, was to grace the mazourka. "The white robes were ornamented with flowers and jewels, for the occasion; all was expectation and pleasure; when a southern fever suddenly arrested her. It raged, and wasted her lovely form. A day or two carried her to the tomb-robed in the splendors of earthly vanity. I saw her laid in the grave, and the undressed spirit stood before its God. "As I stood before her open coffin, I could not but think, my dear young friend, that the rose must wither, however beautiful, the dimpled cheek must wrinkle, the nimble foot lose its elasticity, the sparkling eye its power to win; but the soul is a gem of eternal endurance, to be prepared for happiness or misery." The bell rings! The shrill whistle gives the signal. The lovely girl grasped my hand with moistened eyes, and in a moment was lost upon the ceaseless stream of summer travel. God grant we may improve the minutes while the "Cars Wait." CHAPTER XX. 66 OUR FATHER." "My dear Mrs. A.," said an elderly gentleman to the lady at whose house he was visiting, one evening, "did you know, that under God, you were the instrument of my conversion." The lady was indeed surprised, as she regarded the fine face and speaking eye, which bent down so kindly and earnestly. 66 "No, indeed, sir, I think you must mistake?" "No mistake, my friend, I assure you. When a very little girl, you passed a night at my house, and perhaps you remember sleeping with Emma? "After you had retired, I had occasion to go |