The Osceola times., 1882-05-06
NIKE.

Nobody would take little Mike Marx.
ham for heroine, nor would one sup.
pose that the littlo quiet figure possessed
enough nerve to sa. g hundreds OF lives
by her prompt action, but this WAS the
way oft: II was hot summer after.
noon, and the most absolute quiet reign.
ed over the little railroad station Of Par
kertown,up up in Northern New England
on these sweltering July days. Not even
the customary loafers were around, and
only at train-time was there any show
of life.
The down train was due at 20 but.
until then, as the sensational story
writers say, "All was quiet as the
grave"
Mike was the station agents daughter
and only child. She was Is, although 30
small she looked some three years youn.
ger, and was usually as quiet as amouse
mot much zip to her." the country
folks said In spite of the current opin-
ion, however, she had, except the small
portion Of time which the little country
town set apart for the social season,
spent nearly all the time in the ticket
office with her father, either reading the
few books and papers that came in her
way, or 'unbeknown" to her father, pick
ing up, letter by letter and word by
word, the sounds of the Morse instru-
ment; and, fiaslly, one day she astonish-
ed her father by taking telegram by
sound, giving him neat copy"
From that day Mike was installed, as
telegraph operator, and the indulgent fa-
ther often slid, mick could run that Of
fee Jest as well as he could himself
which, considering that Mr.. Markham
was considered by the boys "a plug oper.
ator," might be a doubtful compliment
20 Mike.
Well, on this particular afternoon we
are talking about, the aforesaid plug"
sauntered into the depot with trouble
enthroned on his majestic brow.
"Nick, Pm summoned on a jury case
up to the Centre village this afternoon.
e'sposing there was anybody to get
What are wegoing to do about it? S'pose
you can tend the concern alone till get
back--probably by 81"
Il guess so father" replied Mike;
there won't be much of any thing to do.
Likely there won't be many passengers
for the down train this hot day, and
hope know enough TO sell ticket or
two. IL there are"
"Well, see that those boxes go by ex-
press. The way-bils are ready and in
the drawer-guess you'll get along ali
riaht-and of he went, leaving Mike
mistress of the situation-which phrase
meant more than you might imagine on
that very particular day.
At first she fel, her newly-acquired i'm
portance somewhat, and stepped around
briskly, busting the musty little Office,
and watering the few plants in the win
dow, bnt, there being absolutely nothing
to do, she dropped into inactivity and
listened to the click of the telegraph in =.
struments, which TO her was as compan-
ionable rs the talk Of dear friends wonld
be. As the afternoon passed drowsily
along the heat and stiffness overcame
her, and dropping her flsxen head on the
desk before her, she was soon--ss one of
the go'd old ladies' Of Parkerstown was
wont TO express tin the arms of Nor.
phine.i
Afterward, the first thing she could
remember about il a voice seeming TO
come from her dreams said "'Tain't
likely she's let here alone, and asleep
too"
NO" responded another evil voice.
"the old mans prob'ly around some
where-but," In lower tone, "come on,
let's go long. The down train'll be along.
and we'll lay em out"
Mike W $ wide-awake enough now, but
she bad presence of mind in her small
body, and realized that safety lay in
keeping still.
How fur is il up there?"
Ssh Keep mum. Do You want to
knock the hull thing in the head. aud
yourself, too !" and then the girls Quick.
ened hearing caught the sound of heavy
footsteps passing by the window and on
up the track.
Mike waited until she couldn't hear
the footsteps, and then cautiously turned
and looked out of the window. There
they were--two miserable looking
.ramps hastening up the track. She re-
cognized them at once as two men who
had been discharged from construction
train that had been at work down the
the road. What should she do Oh if
could send for her father? But
there was no one anywhere near,
aad beside, by the time he could get
home it might be too late-for il was ey.
ident that the desperate wretches were
bent upon fevenying themselves of their
fancied wrongs upon the innocert. She
looked ut the clock. Half past4 She
ran out aud looked around the lonely
station. No one living in sight. Shc
called once, feebly-but where was the
use. If she sent for her father She had
no tsngible explanation to give or real
reason to make him hurry home-only
she was sure there was harm coming 10
the down train-that long, crowded tx.
press hlled with mountain tourists. Bnt
she must do something.
The men had disappeared around a
slight bend in the track. Nike ran in
Licked up the office, snatchins a hal
from haii in the corner, and then bur-
RED up the treck until she arrived at the
slight curve, Then she made hasfs
more slowly" for there were the men
stepping behind clu,np OF buehes phe
watched them. Tie. had etopped and