The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-05-04

by the occupants of the vessel. The man in
the water struck out toward the boat, and
Polly could hear shouts and cheers from the
men on board.
All at once she was startled by the far off
whistle Of the approaching locomotive. In o
moment she understood the meaning of the
flagman's gestures. She looked at the open
space and then at the bridge. In five minutes
or less the train would come dashing into the
terrible chasm. Polly's hair almost rose on
her head with horror. 1t was as much as she
could do now to keep her senses.
There must be some way to avert the awful
calamity. She ran swiftly along toward the
rapidly approaching train. Lying on the
ground just by the small wooden house where
the fagman generally sat, Polly saw AIRED flag.
She remembered having heard that this flag
was used in cases Of danger, or when there was
any reason for stopping the cars, She did not
know whether there was yet time, but she seiz-
ed the flag and flew wildly up the track.
"Oh, my papal oh, my mammal she cried
"they will fall into the river and be drowned
What shall do? and Polly waved the flag back
ward and forward as she ran.
Then came the train around the curve. She
could see the white steam putting from the pipe
and could hear the painting of the engine.
Il know they'll run over me, but if mamma
end papa are killed, don't care to live, " she
said to herself, as she approached the great
black noisy engine
When it was about three hundred feet away
from her, she saw q head thrust out of the lit
tie window by the locomotive, and then, with
great putting, snorting, and whistling, it began
to move slower and slower, until at last when
it was almost upon Polly, it stopped entirely.
All the windows were alive with heads and
hands. The passengers screamed and waved
her off the track. She stepped off and ran
close up to the side Of the engine and gasped
out, 1.-The bridge is open and the man has fall
len into the river. Please stop the train or you
will be drowned
The engineer stared in amazement, as we'll
he might, to see a small girl with flushed
face, hair blown wildly about, and four lilies
pinned in her belt. waving the red flag as
though she had been used to tagging trains all
her life.
At that moment another remarkable figure
presented itself to the astonished eyes Of the
passengers. A man, dripping wet, bruised and
scratched as though he had been drawn through
briers, came tearing toward the cars, STUN
bling and almost falling at every step. As he
reached little Polly, he snatched her up and
covered her face with KISSES
You little darling" he cried, edo you know
what you've done? You've saved the lives of
more than hundred people,"
Polly, nervous and excited, began to cry.
One after another the passengers came hurry
ing out Of the train and crowded around her,
praising and kissing her, until she was quite
ashamed, and hid her head upon the kind flag
mans shoulder, whispering, please take me
away and find mamma and papa"
Almo It the last to alight were Polly's parents,
swhy, it's our Polly p they both exclaimed at
once.
The draw was now being closed again, and
the conductor cried, 'All aboard p The pas
sengers scrambled back to their seats again.
Polly's father took her into the car with him,
and now she looked calmly at the people as
they gathered around, and answered politely
all questions put to her, but refused the rings,
chains, bracelets, and watches that the grateful
passengers pressed her to accept as tokens of
their gratitude for saving their lives.
At last Polly grew tired of SO much praise,
and spoke out: Really l don't deserve your
thanks, for l never once thought Of any one
but papa and mamma. So keep your presents
for your own little girls. Thank you all the
same"
Those that heard her laughed, seeing they
could do nothing better for her than to let her
remain unneticed for the short distance abe
had to go.
When Polly was lifted ont Of the car, and
stood upon the steps Of the station while her
father looked after the luggage, the passengers
threw kisses and waved their handkerchiefs to
her until they were ont Of sight.
A few days afterward Polly was astonished ct
receiving beautiful ivory box containing an
exquisitely enamelled medal, with these words
engraved on it,
presented to Polly Gardner, whose courage
and presence of mind saved hundred lives"