The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-09-22

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nai'maker was on the track, racing down
toward it, swinging the lantern around
ner head, up and down, to and fro, from
side to side. ....
Inc fireman on the tender, looking
out, said to the driver:
Look out! There's light ahead"
he glanced down the long line, saw
the wavering glimmer of brave Minnie's
lantern and whistled for brakes.
Slower and slower grew the motion of
the cars, laden with precious human
lives. The headlight came near and ut
terly blinded the lantern light that Min
ME still held.
Down from the engine sprang the two
men. Up walked to meet them Johns
Minnie.
What the mischief, you boy, you, do
you mean, stopping the train in this
way" shouted the foremost man, spring
ing forward to seize her arm.
"Oh" cried Minnie, whether from
pain or fright she herself could not tell -.
@Gd to stop you, or you'd go off into
the river, and there wasn't anybody else
to tell"
What's the matter?"
The track is torn up down by the
bend" said Minnie.
Come up on the engine, youngster,
with me-, said the driver.
20 no, no" gasped Minnie. 81
should be killed if anybody found me out
a-telling. l can't go; but I've told true
oh, haze"
With the words Minnie blew out the
flame in her lantern, and darted into the
pine woods just as the conductor came
forward.
A few minutes later Minnie, from her
safe covert, saw the train slowly moving
onward until it passed from sight.
She had done her best, and now she
must get home. The way was long, and
Minnie was tired enough to lie down in
the soft snow, but she kept on and on,
meeting no one in the still night She
came within sight of her home. There
was light in the window shining through
the leafy curtain of geranium.
Minnie crept softly up, taking long
steps to fit her feet into the prints made
by larger feet than hers that led up to
the door.
She peeped cautiously in. There sat
her weary, invalid mother, softly rocking
one of the twins in her arms. Minnie
saw that she was weeping, and she moved
nearer the window and tapped very gently
on the glass.
The mother-ear heard the sound. She
moved, and baby began to cry. Never
was baby-cry more welcome Under
cover of the sound Minnie opened the
door, slid softly in, having removed her
boots outside, and, crossing the room,
gained her own withouth having disturbed
the heavy sleep of her father.
In three minutes more the girl stood in
her night-clothes by her mothers side,
offering to take the baby, for the other
baby had joined in the cry.
80 mother, mother!" whispered
Minnie. 81 did it; and, oh! I'm so hap
py shall die"
" Don't Speak" whispered her mother.
u Go into the kitchen, open the oven
door, and you'll find something warm to
eat. I'll come out"
When Mrs. Jansen went out she told
uAlhhlC sic hucW Sic udu SdNGu inc Train.
How, mother?"
Your father came home a happier
man than l have seen him since the
troubles came; and, Minnie, he has prom
lsed that, come what may, he will have
nothing to do with harming man, woman,
or child from this night"
And saved father from being a
murderer-didn't l, mother? Oh, l hope
he will never find it out"
Two days later the region all about"
was filled with inquiries made by the
railroad superintendent for the brave boy
who had given warning of the danger in
time to avert death and disaster to the
midnight express train. The boys hair
and eyes were described, but as the de-
scription did not apply to either Carl or
Harry Jansen the irate miners could not
suspect their comrade, John, in the
matter; and, to the surprise of the rail-
road company and everybody concerned,
no one appeared to claim even the large
reward that was offered for the noble
service nobly given.
One day John entered the cabin: in his
hand was the notice offering the re ward.
" Annette" he said, holding it toward
her, if | knew who that boy was I'd
give my life for him." AS he spoke the
words he sank down into chair, and sat
there with his face covered with his
strong hands, the big tears slowly trick
ling through the coal-stained fingers.
Minnie had in her arms one of the
babies. She laid it in the bed, and, with
sudden impulse, darted from the room.
Scarcely conscious of what she did, she
selected the clothes she had worn that
night, put them on, and, tucking in her
hair just as she had done then, she went
out and stood before her father.
Fatherw she said.
He lifted his head.
80 father" she'cried; "and wouldn't
you give your life for Johns Minnie,
too?"- Christian Union.