St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-08-24


of the surrounding country for more
than a score of miles. The line of the
railway could be distinctly seen in each
direction fifteen miles, and Whately
was wont to say his lookout was worth
more to the safety of trains than all the
telegraph wires on the line.
Whately was a rich old buffer, kind
enough in his way, but sharp as a ferret
in looking after the road hands, and
determined that every man should do
his duty.
He had but one child, daughter !;
and Floss Whately was the belle of the
country. She was brave, beautiful and
spirited, and more than once, when her
father had been away, had she assumed
the responsibility of directing the trains,
and she had always acquitted herself
with credit.
Old Whately was very proud of her,
as he had a right to be, and he kept all
the young fellows at distance, until it
was said that he intended to keep his
daughter single till the Car of Russia
came on to marry her.
This night in November, old Whately
and Floss were out on the piazza OF
their country home, peering through
the gloom for the GolOsha train, which
was nearly due.
ats very strange it doesn't come in
sight !" said Whately, laying down his
night glass in disgust. ats hard on to
ten now They ought to show their
light around Spruce pond by this time "
"You telegraphed them, father? You
let them know the pay train was on the
road ?" asked Floss.
"To be sure. And, good heavens
there is the headlight of the pay train,
now! Seel not ten miles away and
running like the deuce, as it always
does ~
He pointed with trembling finger
down to the valley gorge, where, fal
away, mere speck in the gloom, could
be seen light, scarcely moving il
seemed, but those anxious watchers
knew it was approaching at Lightning
speed.
Father and daughter looked at eacL
other.
The truth was evident. For some
reason the train from Golosha was tel
minutes behind time, and it would not
reach the siding at Deering's Cut unit
the pay train had passed beyond on to
the single track ! And then Why
to read under the head of ''Appaline
Railroad Disaster ~ and Il few more
homes would be rendered desolate, anC
a few more hearts would he made tt
mourn.
Father and daughter looked at eacl
other in dismay.
'.Is there time ?" asked the old man
tremblingly.
"Selim can do it," said Floss, quickly
"lf | can reach Leeds five minutes be
fore the train-yes, two minutes-al
will be well. Do not stop me, father =
as he laid hand on her arm.
''But you must not go! 1t is darl
and dismally lonely! No, Floss ~
II shall go, father! Selim know
only me, and you could not ride him
| have ridden darker nights. And b,
is the only horse in the stables Don
you remember, the others were sent t,
town yesterday ?"
Before old Whately could stop her
she had ordered the hostler to saddl,
Selim, and she was already buttonin;
on her riding habit with rapid, nervou
fingers.
The horse came paving to the door
Floss sprang into the saddle, leane,
down, and kissed her fathers forehead
''Pray Heaven to speed me y sh
cried hOarsely, and, touching the hors
with her whip, he bounded down TIL
sharp declivity.
1t was raining steadily now, and tn
,.ln nli
to the road, and he was sure-footed an,
his rider courageous. She urged hin
on at the top of his speed, up hill an,
down, through Pine Valley and owe
Pulpit Hill, and then she struck upo
the smooth road which stretched ava
to Leeds, two miles, as straight as a
arrow.
She could see the headlight on tn
pay train far down the valley, distinct
ly now, and to her excited fancy
seemed but a stones throw away. Sh
even thought for a moment that sh
heard the grind of the wheels on tn
iron track, but, mol it was only tn
signing of the wind in the pines.
On, and still on she went. Selr
seemed to fly. One might have fancie
errand of life and death. The lights {
the station were in view-nay, she eve
saw the station masters white lanter
which was to signal the approachin
train-tO tell them to go on, for all wa
well, on to their doom.
She dashed across the railway tracl
| flung the reins to an amazed bystandel
and, striking the white lantern from tn
hand of the astonished official, sh
seized the ominous red lantern from il
hook, and spIinging upon the tract
waved it in the very teeth of the con
ing train.
Two sharp, short whistles told he
that her signal was seen, and a momer
later the train came to a stop, and th
officers rushed out to learn what it a
meant.
Floss told them in few brief word
and one of them at the station wer
forward to confer with the train frol
Golosha, which had not yet been telt
graphed from the next station beyond
The man waited fifteen minutes bt
fore Kirke's train slid on to the sidin.
and it was then known that but for til
decision of one young girl, the tw
trains must have collided four miles bt
yOnd Deering's Cut.
When told the story, Kirke looked ;
his watch.
The man from the station looked {
his also.
| Kirke's was ten minutes behind time
You want to know how it happene,
Certainly you must have guesse,
Halliday did it. A man was found th
next day who confessed to having see
Jack tampering with the time-pieces
the engine house that night, but he ha
thought nothing of it, he said.
Jack ? Oh, he left town and was la
heard of in Australia. His little gan