Presbyterian College - Pac Sac Yearbook (Clinton, SC)

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THE COLLEGIAN 21 With such thoughts as these he had filled in the few spare moments of the day, when he was not engaged in changing the levers before him, giving various trains the right of way on certain tracks. He had seen the excursion go out. No wife had waved at him from the window, but how could he expect that when she was going away against his will? He had watched it with an eager eye, as long as it was visible. He couldn't help feeling that she would be sorry and would be herself again, when she came back. But had he not been in fault. even more than she? This question stared him con- stantly in the face, and by and by, reached his great and ten- der heart and made him cry within himself, Yes, I was to blame, and for both Anne's and Mary's sake I will smooth matters over as soon as possible. At last the whistle of the excursion train was heard and in a few moments the train was coming down the main line at a rapid rate. Charles gave her the right of way. But stop! The little girl by some means, had got out and was upon the main track, not heeding the approaching train. Charles quivered. My God l he uttered, as if trying to pray. Only a moment in which to act. What should he do? Could he shout to his little girl? No, for he would certainly frighten the girl and bring her into a state of confusion, whereas otherwise she might notice the train and get oi the track in time. There was one possible chance to save his lit- tle girl. He might open the switch and turn the train into the side-track. This would mean a great catastrophe-his wife and others probably killed.. His hand grasped the lever. A short conflict in his mind ensued. He could not. He withdrew his hand. He staggered. U God! was all he could utter, and then fell in a swoon. Five minutes later the mother with her child Was bending over the swooning man, anxiously awaiting the return of life. She was trying to make him understand that Mary was savedg how, through providence, she had stayed at home and chanced to be coming down to escort them home, when she had seen

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20 THE COLLEGIAN out further trying to hinder her. One hour later, Anne was on her way to the depot. Not one word had she spoken to her husband after her last rash ones. Her passion of anger was subsiding and she was be- ginning to see her folly. Her better nature was begging, yea beseeching her to return home. But then she said to herself, Charles spoke too commandingly to me when he had no just reason to keep me at home, and therefore I am going. At last the station was reached, the train sighted, and still she had not convinced herself that she was doing wrong, but her courage was failing her. Why Anne, what is the matter? asked her cousin Har- ry, as he passed her seated in one of the coaches. You look as if you were on your way to a funeral instead of an outing. O, I'm all right, Harry, don 't worry about me, she replied, brightening up for an instant but falling back short- ly into a still more serious look as he passed on. These words, uttered thoughtlessly by her cousin, went to her heart and there, with all the former wooings of the bet- ter nature, caused her to make a Hnal resolve. She would go back. Five minutes later she had left the coach and was hur- rying on her way back home. Charles had already taken Mary and gone to his work, but she had resolved to go home and niake ready a pleasant surprise for her husband at his home- coming in the evening. A long weary day had almost passed for Charles Lamb. Try as he might, he was unable to drive away the scene of the morning. Had he dealt gently enough with his wife? Maybe it was as she said, that he, getting out in the open air so much, could not fully sympathize with her. Then he thought how faithful she had been since their marriage, taking all responsibilities and cares of the home off his shoulders. But little Mary, as she questioned him and cross-questioned him for the purpose of passing away the time in the close quarters of the switchman's small station, brought vividly be- fore him such thoughts as made him unhappy. How was it possible that his wife could at this time be so selfish?

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22 THE COLLEGIAN the situation, how. by a desperate effort, she had rushed up from behind the switch-station and had snatched the child from the track, just in time to save an awful disaster. Charles, she pleaded pathetically, we are both here, do open your eyes and listen. She continued to repeat these words until finally he open' ed his eyes and, with a faint smile upon his cheeks, whispered. Thank God! Anne, you are both safe, and we have had our la.st disagreement. F. P. A. '13. QQQ Q Etienne nf the Gllassiral nr ibumanistic Qtnnsfnzreb Zlaisturinallp ants Zllibeorzticallp In this age of many advantages and opportunities, man is inclined to specialize and concentrate his efforts upon one sin- gle branch of activity. This is worthy of our approval and serious consideration, for the old adage J ack of all trades and good at none is still a very true one. If a man would insure his success he should concentrate his thought and activities upon one subject, it should receive his Whole attention. But in preparing oneself a person should not pursue merely a utilitarian education. This is an age of hurry and greed as well as an age of many advantages. These conditions have cultivated a spirit of utilitarianism which causes us to lose sight of the real aim of education. Many do not seem to realize that education is a great deal more than a training merely for the development of the money making faculties. XVe are inclined to adopt this kind of education instead of a broader and more liberal education. And we should not for- get that a liberal education is more than a course in science or merely a superficial training, which has no depth and which tends to dazzle one 's eyes. A good education which enables us to get the most out of life and which, in return, enables us to do the greatest amount of good for our fellowman. It must enable us to think deep-