The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-03
THE LOST CHILDREN.

LIE LVSl CHlLDhENs
There were three of them-Kitty,
Mary and little Tommy-tae children
of the station master at Black River
Junction, on the Great Southwestern
railroad. The station stood alone on
the open prairie, miles and miles away
from anywhere in particular. Black
river flowed through the mountains, a
hundred miles away to the north, and
on clear days the snowy mountains
could be seen glimmering on the CLASSY
horizon. The line leading to the Black
river met the Southwestern here, and
thus it was that the place was called
Black River Junction.
The station-master and his wife and
three children lived in the little depot
quite happily, but there was not anoth-
or family within ten miles in any direc-
ton.
At times the children thought it rath-
or lonely. There was nothing in par
ticular to be done, except to watch the
trains that stopped at the junction sew
eral times day. Once in a while a
freight car would be left on the side
track, and the children soon found that
an empty freight-car makes a capital
playhouse. They could keep house in
the corners and make visits, or sit by
the open door and make believe they
were having q ride.
One morning they were awakened by
curious humming sound out of doors,
and they all scrambled up and looked
out of the window. How the wind did
blow! It whistled and roared round
the house, and played upon the tele-
graph wires upon the roof as upon q
huge harp. As the wires were fastened
to the roof, the house became huge
music-box with the children inside.
After breakfast the morning trains ar
rived, but the wind was so high the
passengers were glad to hurry from
one train to another as quickly as posi-
BILE. Then the trains went away, and
the great wind-harp on the roof sang
louder than ever.
The station-master said it blewa gale,
and that the children must stay in the
house, lest they be blown away into
the prairie and lost. The station-mas-
ter's wife said that it was a pity the
children must stay in the house all day.
There was an empty freight car on the
side track; perhaps they might play in
that. The station-master thought this
good idea, and he took Kitty by the
hand, and Tommy in his arms, while
Mary took hold of his coat, and they
all went out to the empty car. Whew!
How it did blowl They certainly
would be lifted up by the wind and
blown quite into the sky. The empty
oar was warm and snug, and, once in
side, they were quite out of the way of
the wind.
Mary thought the rear end would be
q good place to keep house, but Tommy
preferred the other end, SO they agreed
to keep house at both ends of the empty
car. This was nice place, for it gave
them a chance to visit each other, and
the open part of the door made prone
made to walk on.
Louder and louder roared the gale.
Safe and snug in the car they went on
with their play, and thought nothing of
the weather outside.
Suddenly the car seemed to shake,
and they stopped in their housekeep-
ing, and ran to the door to see what had
happened.
Why, it's moving! Somebody's
pushing it," said Mary.
They're taking us away on the
freight train. Come, we must get out. I"
II didn't hear the WHISTLE" said
Tommy. II guess something is push
ing the car"
The girls leaned out of the door to see
what had happened. Why, where was
the platform? What was the matter
with the station? It was moving away.
No, it was the car. It had left the sid
ing and had rolled out upon the main
line, end was moving faster and faster
along the road. .....-..
20, we must get out. They are TAX
ing us away"
"No, no." said Kitty, I'VE must stay
here till the brakeman comes round. I
didn't hear them when they took us on
the train"
"There isn't any train" said Tommy,
looking up and down the line.
20, it's the windl It's blowing the
Car away. We must put on the brakes
and stop it"
This was good plan, but how were
they to carry it outq The brake wheeI
was on the top of the Car, and they were
inside.
Faster and faster rolled the car. It
began to roar and rattle, as if dragged
along by swift engine. In amoment
Tommy began to cry. Mary tried to
look brave, and Kitty stared fast at the
level prairie flying past. It was no use.
Ehey all broke down together, and had
hearty cry alone in the empty car, as
it rolled on and on before the gale.
The station-master's wife rolled up
her sleeves to put the house in order,
while the children were safely out Of