The Lincoln County herald., 1870-11-24
Childrcu's Department.
THE RAILROAD.
BY GAIL HAMILTON.

as she came around the rock, q whole
troop of her schoolmates sprang up to
meet her, aud one cried one thing, and
one another, but the burden Of their
song seemed to be, "Tho railroad !! the
railroad ! 20, have you heard?"
yes said little Trip, unconcernedly,
81 know there is railroad going to run
iu Applethorre."
20, but that's nothing! IT'S going to
run right through your house, ex-
claimed Olive. s .- ~ "a a<|
"Right through your front docr!"
added Martha.
Now I don't believe that" replied
Trip. "a railroad cant get through .
door"
"Why, Of course" said Olive they'll
pull the house down. A railroad is too
big it's as big as a meeting house"
Olive had very hszy notions about rail
roads, never having seen one.
II don't believe there's going to be
any railroad" mcditated Trip, after q
pause, choosing what seemed the quickest
and surest way of saving the front door.
30, yes there is I heard my father
why, mykfather knows all about it. It
is coming now"
"And, Trip,..if was you" said.Olive,
in a low. impressive voice, Il wouldn't
stay at school to days. I. would 60
straight home and put my boxes and
things together. SOS to save them ]
expect they'll tear the house down right
away. ! shouldn't wonder if they had
it all feared down by the time you gel
home"
Now was Trips heart in Auttcr all
day, though she resolutely refused to 60
home. She even persisted in her pro
fcssed doubt as to whether there was go
ing to be any railroad at all; but in the
depths of her quaking heart she saw
already the dear old house torn quite
away, and herself and all the family
forced to rove homeless over tue. world
SO it is no wonder she was a little ab
sent minded that day, and missed two
words in spelling, for which she cried
vigorously all noon time, with little
undcrwall for the lost house.
But as she came down the lane at
night, behold there was the nhouse a.
whole as ever-that was one comfort
No wandering about in the darkness to-
night, at least. And there, too, was
Jack turning summersaul's under the
Balm Of Glead tree, and Lilo frisking
about frantically, as if no ruin impended
So Trip plucked up heart little, and
asked Jack what it was all about, aud
rs the railroad going to tear our house
oil down. Jack Straws?"
Jack straws, thus appealed to, left
standing on his head, and tried hi.
feet by way Of variety, thrusting bott
6sts under her chin one after the other
+. as an appropriate way of saying, mo
:. Trip-up. l wish twas"
n "Well. there" sighed Trip, greatl
e relieved II knew 'twasn't. But DIV
"a "a and all the girls said the railroad wa
d coming, and I must pack up my clothes.
"But It's coming, so pack away"
"Why, what?-when 2-where are "
, going?"
i swell, how should you like the barr
say? The hay is soft, and we should
] handy to milk; and then there are th
; horned oxen to do the dairy work"
;; But seeing Trips dismayed face. b
repsnted himself mo, Trip, the line ,oo
4 laid out, and it ran right through ou
4 door. But father went to see them, On
!. told them, besides moving the house,
i, would cut the farm in two halves, sil
= and make trouble; aud what do 20
d think they've done, sir?" Here Jac
% interposed . summersault by way O
,, % taking breath. s
4 "Stopped the railroad, guess," sal
,s Trip, breathlessly.
!. mo, sir; whisked il of one side, an
II are going slam-baug through the peac
trees. We've saved the house, but We
lost the garden. All the ourrant bushe
are making farewell visits, and the hoI
toads are breaking up housekeeping"
0, "Jack," said Trip, solemnly, "do 20
n, card?" .a...,
10 "CareY Mol I'm gladder'n ever
ne was before since was born, and don
Of Of remember anything"
b. $50 am l. l shouldn't like to live
n the barn, but I should like to have Il