Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-09-03

~A~s
Just before reaching the station the
railroad crossed drawbridge. Polly
liked to watch the men open and shut
the draw as the boats in the river passed
through. There was foot-path over
this bridge, and Polly had once crossed
it with Aunt Mary. They had stopped
to speak to the fiagman, who was pleasant
and good-natured. He told Polly where
she could find some beautiful white
lilies in pond not far away. That was
more than a week ago, and the flowers
were not then open, and now as Polly
ran down the road she thought she
would have time to gather some for her
parents before the train arrived.
When Polly reached the station she
found no one there, and, on looking at
the clock, saw that it was only ten min
utes past 4, so she had twenty minutes
to wait. Then she ran on quickly.
The Aagman stood by the draw, and
Polly saw, some distance down the
river, a small vessel coming toward the
bridge. She ran along rapidly, and as
she passed the fagman he called out:
"Going for the pond lilies? The
pond was all white with them when I
went by this morning."
eyes, sir; I want to pick some for
mamma and papa. They wrote me a
letter and said they were coming in the
next train.
"You don't say so! Well, guess
you're glad. Look out for the locomo-
tive, and don't take too long picking
your flowers, and you'll have plenty of
time to get back before the train comes
| in"
Polly thanked him and ran on. In
about five minutes she reached the
pond. How lovely the lilies looked,
with their snowy cups resting upon the
dark water But their stems were long
and tough, and the most of them grew
far beyond her reach. She contrived to
secure four. Polly was sorry to leave
so many behind, but was afraid if she
fingered too long she would miss the
train So, gathering up the blossoms
she pinned them to her belt, and scam
pered back toward the bridge.
The boat had just sailed through thc
draw, and the man stood ready to close
the bridge when Polly came up. HI
looked over at her from the center of tn,
bridge, and called out with smile:
Couldn't you get any more flower
than these? If I had time to go to tn
pond, you should have as many as yo1
could carry"
Polly smiled back at him, and the
began to watch him as he made ready t
turn the great bridge back into place TO
the train to pass ever. His hand wa
already on the crank. when rope dang
ling over the edge of the bridge attracte
t his attention. AS he tried to pull it i
3 it seemed to be caught underneath
. Polly watched him lean over to get
0 better hold, when, to her great horror
the piece OF railing to which he held gay
4 way.
There was a sudden scream and
1 great splash in the water. But befol
d the waves of the swiftly-fowing rive
e closed over him Polly heard the cry:
It "The train the fagP'
!, Poor little Polly! She was 80 alarme
}. for the poor mans safety that for son
q moments she could think Of nothlr
It else, and ran backward and forwar
wringing her hands in despair. AS
W arose to the surface she saw that
1t made frantic gestures to her, and point.
K up the road from which the train was
< come. He seemed to be able to ke'
5. himself above the water with very lit
., effort and Polly saw with Joy that t
t. accident had been observed by the Occ
pants of the vessel. The man in the "
S. ter struck out toward the boat, and p
ly could hear shouts and cheers from t
e. men on board.
IS All at once she was startled by t
Y, far-off whistle of the approaching lot
motive. In moment she understo
p the meaning of the dagman's' gestur
8. She looked at the open space and til
ne at the bridge. In five minutes or l,
SO time the train would come dashing il
the terrible chasm. Polly's hair aim
ne rose on her head with horror. It '
IS as much as she could do to keep
There must be some way to avert
y, awful calamity. She ran swiftly ale
'A' toward the rapidly approaching ira
Lying on the ground just by the sn
er' wooden house where the fagman gen
lar ally sat Polly saw red flag. She
Oh membered having heard that this
'ch was used in case of danger, or wi
III there was any reason for stopp
the cars. She did not know whet
ald there was yet time, but she seized
~. flag and flew wildly up the track.