National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-11-11

the country, and that Gardiner was a
coward who ought to 90 on to a gravel
train, and if he didn't make time he'd
have him there, too. The road was
losing its business and there had got to
be change. Brown also said that in
Valley Creek, where he lived, he had
noticed that the train always slowed and
lost time enough there to lose the con-
nections Gardiner replied to this, that
at the Creek there was down grade, the
bridge was unsafe, and he was obliged
to slack mp for safety. More than this,
the track passed through the play ground
of the Creek school, was not fenced in,
and they could not go through at a rapid
speed without danger to the children.
"Then Brown burst out with an oath,
that if parents did not want their chill
dren run over, they must keep them off
the track. 1t would be a good thing TO
run over one or two of them, as it would
teach them "A lesson. OF course, he
didn't mean this, but he was "hot " you
see, and did not know what he did say.
He added, that GARDENERS family lived
near the track, and that GARDENERS sole
reason for slowing, was to have n chance
to chat with them as he went through.
This set GARDENERS anger on fire, and he
then and there declared that he would
make time, let the consequences be what
they might and if disaster happened,
Brown must assume the responsibility.
You see he is keeping his word, but the
old fellow feels bad though"
We dashed on over the frail iron at
frightful speed. You could almost here
the bars crackle as we went. The cars
surged from East to West, forcing pas
sengers to fairly cling to their seats.
Not for second did leave my brake
We were nearly down to Valley Creek
on time. As we approached the long
stretch of down grade, | felt by the
shaking that Gardiner had slackened up,
as if the danger were really too great );
and then, as if his promise had came full
upon his mind, had again carefully
opened his throttle Down the Valley
we went. our rapid speed startling the
birds, the cattle, and even the staid old
| forest trees into new and strange ideas
| grasped the brake firmly; the engine
whistled and screamed, warning all to
keep clear of it. | held my breath
well knowing that if we left the track it
would be to 60 to destruction. Suddenly
the whistle ceased, and then there came
three unearthly yells from it they
pierced my ears and made them ache
How | set up the brake. for | felt there
was danger ahead | knew this when Gar
/ diner suddenly reversed his engine. The
shutting off, the reversing, and the brakes
set up so tight that | feared the chains
would break. did not seem to have the
slightest effect upon the train. On, on it
went, at Its dangerously rapid speed. l
stretched my neck out as far as possible,
chnging nervouslv to the railing
could see that Brown was ut his post,
looking ont as | did, and moving his
hand energetically, while whistle and
bell were uniting their protest.
| What was the matter | could not con-
! lecture, but was anxious to know
Springing upon the rail, made my way
to the top of the car, and the mystery
was revealed. There on the track was a
sight that sent thrill of horror through
me- Only few feet ahead of us on the
track. stood n mere hild-unconscious
Of its danger-paralized so that it could
not move. inst clear of the track lay a
woman. evidently helpless | looked for
Gardiner. to see what he was doing ere |
closed my ewes TO shut ont the horrible
sight The poor fellow had not been idle.
Plainly seeing that he could not drive the
child from the track and that its com
panion was helpless, he left his cab
and climbed forward on the engine, on
to the extreme end Of the cow-catcher,
leaned over. and while clinging with
one hand, reached out with the other.
There did not seem one chance i'll n
million to save the child-no one--but
anxiety overcame horror, and ! looked,
and shuddered as | looked.
How nv heart leaped into my very
throat as | saw the train dash on, but
saw that as it did so, Gardiner, with al
most superhuman effort, raised the child
hy its arm from the track and clasped 1t tc
his bosom. Then he sank down upon the
cow-catcher faint and powerless His
fireman clambered ont to his side, and
Won may rest assured | was not long
in getting to their assistance. The un
usual noise of the steam had brought
every person i'll the village out TO witness
the sight. and ms they realized it they
shouted their JOY until their throat'
must have been hoarse. The fireman
and | clung to Gardiner there was M
need to hold the child, for though rigiC
and helpless Gardiner held the little on,
to his breast with nm iron grasp. Very
soon we crossed the bridge and strucl
the mp grade. where the train slowed ant
finally came to full stop, nearly in from
Of Gardeners house With the help o
some of the villages we took by fore,
the child from Gardeners arms and car
ried the engineer into the house and lmc
him on the bed As he sank down til,
little life in him seemed to come back
and he whispered Whose child is it ?
Superintendent Browns said
neighbor, to my as enlistment.
"Is it alive 2" gasped Gardiner.
cit is alive and well-thanks 10 You
bravery" I answered, and Gardner
sank back upon his pillow.
The child which Gardiner had Sc
tremendously saved was son and only
child Of our Superintendent. IL seemed
singular that the morning talk of the tive
men should have so singular an ending
but so it was. The wife of the Super
intendcnt with their only child had beer
ont for walk The little one running
on ahead had straycd upon the track
Hearing the whistle. the mother callet
the child to her, but the child, happy IL
, its freedom. ran on laughing and shout
inx. child.like, into the jaws of danger
n was too much for the mother sh,
made nm effort to save her darling, bu
before she could overtake the little one
her strength failed her and she fell.
| Our engine was injured so that it wa
impossible to go on, and another was tele
qraphed for. We tried all we could Il
br;no Gardiner bnck. but the physician