TWO NEWLY-MADE WIDOWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9118, 28 July 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

TWO NEWLY-MADE WIDOWS.

It is said that some of the chief railroads in the country employ special persons to inform the bereaved family when an employee has been killed. Considering that every year a small army of men meet their death on the track, the statement is not incredible. An old railroad man at

Reading, who has discharged this painful office, gives the following among other experiences. " It was only a few days ago that I went to a home and found the wife chatting and laughing with a neighbour's wife while she was at work among her rose-bushes and flowers. She hadn't been married very long. I first asked whether her husband was at home. She stared at me, became white as a piace of chalk, then shrieked and fell among the plants. I helped to carry her into the house. "'He's dead; my husband is dead. I know he has been killed !'

"'Who told you?' I asked, when she revived.

"'No one. I only thought so. Is it true ?' °

" It was easy then to finish my errand. " I once called on a woman to tell her her husband had been killed by striking against .an overhead bridge. This was three years ago, near Philadelphia. The wife curled up her lip and replied : "'lf he's been killed, heaven has revenged me. lie abused me long enough. He'll abuse no more women now.' " That was the easiest job in my line I ever had. Five minutes later the woman was in hysterics and tears."— Post.