The Red Cloud chief., 1882-08-03

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bundle Of hay, 20 - 70 carry it on his
arm and leave both hands free.
lyon mustn't goT' ''You II Be
killed." "You can't croas on 'emr'
they cried. trying to dissusde him while
yet they went on doing a. be told them.
1t was . perilous undertaking, but the
need was urgcnt-not . second was 10
be lost! Az Johnny reached the bridge.
he felt like giving up; but the thought
OF what would happen II he should mot
90, gave him fresh courage.
Tell 'em at home that I tried 10 do
the best l could. IT," he shouted. but
q choke in his voice would not let him
finish. And he wa Of.
The loose boards ratified and shook NJ
the wheels spun over them. and where
the ties were GU they seemed TO bend
beneath the weight Johnny could
hear the sound Of the water far below
him. but he did not dare to look down.
When he was half way over. he could
hear the roar Of the train "a il echoed
back from the hills, and he was almost
afraid too look toward the turn of the
track, for fear he should see the head
light OF the engine cleaning around the
curve.
II he could only get over in time!
Faster and faster spun the wheela
and faster and faster beA Johnny's
heart. as he reached the endo of the tres
tle-work. and turned the bend.
The headlight Of the coming train
shonc bright and clear up the track.
"Oh. why do they go SO fast?" said
Johnny 10 himself, as he stopped. and
leaped from his bicycle TO light his sig
nal. He crouchcd down beside the
track and struck a match against the
rail; but his hand shook 50 that the
head Of the match flew of. The next
one burned. and he sheltered the flame
between his hands until the hay and
handkerchiefs were in a blaze. II
seemed a long time TO Johnny. but it
really wa only q moment until he was
up and away again, on q run along the
track. waving the flaming bundle back
and forth.
"They must see It! Yes, they are
whistiing. They'll surely stop. now!'
cried Johnny. half aloud, still waving
the fiery signal. The flames blew
against his hand. but he was too excited
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the engine grew brighter and brighter.
But not until the train was close enough
for him to see the anxious face of the
engineer looking out from his window.
did the brave boy jump from the track.
They're stopping" was the last
thing he thought, for he heard them
whistle "down brakes" as he jumped
of the track; and he knew nothing more
until some men raised him in their arms
and asked him il he was hurt. Then no
opened his eyes to find his head on some
ones shoulder. and a crowd OF strange
faces around him.
"Here, little chap, what did you stop
US forp" asked an important man in blue
uniform and brass buttons, coming up
to the group around Johnny.
"Rock's tumhled down just across tho
BRIDGE" answered Johnny, wondering
why he felt 80 tired and weak. Where
is my machinc?" he added, trying to
look around
The conductor looked puzzled.
Reckon this is it," answered the en-
gineer. coming up with the bicycle and
standing it against n tree.
"Wel, he's n plucky chap, sure's I'm
alvin, an l csn tell you some of us
came pretty nesr gettin' dished." went
on the engineer, who had been taking
a view Of the siiuation, and had learned
from the other Whirligiggers what .
narrow escape the train had had; for
the boys had rim swiftly across on the
foot-bridgc. and had Dow reached the
scene. out of breath from their rapid
climb up the steep bank.
If it hadn't been for him, we'd all
"a been down fhcrc." finished the en-
gineer, with M expressive wave IT his
sooty hand tow AID the creek, and . nod
to the crowd Of passengers.
Johnny did MT hear the words OF ex-
PLANTATION and praise which followed,
for when the Conductor tried 10 help
him to his feet. he tainted away again.
LET me ses--I am q doctor. He
has had a rough. tumble, and | am afraid
he has broken some bones," said q
passenger, stepping forth from the
crowd.
The doctor was right; for Johpny's
ankle was badly sprained. and one arm
had been broken by striking against .
stump as he fell.
But Johnny knew nothing moro Of
what went on around him. until he
opened his eyes again in his w room,
i'm his own bed. Tho first thing he saw
WIS his mothers face bending over him.
ard the first thing he heard was old DIR.
Cark's voice saying Hell do now"
Il know we ouehin't To have gone
without asking leave" said Johnny. at
the end of u confident. nj talk with his
mother. a few DAYS later. when he was
beginning to feel letter. "rn never
gu az ,;n. that way. but I'm glad l was
II ere then"
I'm not afraid uf my boy breaking
his PROMISE" said his mother, "but
| proud rs we are of your courage, there
are two kinds of bravery, Johnny. and
it may he harder for you to keep your
promise than il was 20 crossthe bridge"
IL don't know" said JOHNNY. shak-
Ing his head. d~oub,frlly. II was badly
scared, and my heart Just thumpcd all
the time l was going over. It's a good
thing l practiced 50 much at the GYM
nAsium, and walkiny beams and things.
OF l could not have done it," added
Johnny. hoping TO reconcile his mother
10 the ruinous weM and tear his clothes
suffered from athletic performances.
1t was weeks before Johnny was able
to be out again; for the ankle got well
slowly, and for q time he had to use .
crutch, even after his arm was well
enough for him to leave of the sling.
The members Of the Club were faith
iul in their visits. and came every day
tn see him. as o as he was able to
have company, They brought him all
the school news and did everything
they could think of to make the time
PISS more quickly.
One day, about two weeks after their
cyentful ride. . box came by express
marked sJohn r. Ellis" When it WAS
opened. there appeared . great roll Of
mink cotton, and nestled snugiy in this
was q solid silver cup. quantity shaped
and daintily engraved; but what gave il
its greatest value was the inscription on
the plain oval front:
"A testimonial to John r Ellis. from,
the passengers who y their lives "a
hiD bravery."-& Nicholas.