Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-09-21

literally the dear lives OF her T. t.w creature.
Not until she got to th wrecked place did
she remember that she must go beyond the
curve to stop them or she would be Of no use.
Already she heard the approaching train rum.
ble in the distance. Faster, faster she sped
round the curve, straight on up the track
She could see them now coming in On they
rushed, the great engine bent on destroying
its precious freight. Mike stopped in the
midst Of the track and frantically swung her
red flag, but still the monster rushed toward
her showing no abating of speed
Meanwhile the engineer and fireman had
seen the slight form Of the girl, aud the fire
man stood aghast to see the engineer 30 ut
terly regardless Of her
stop, man" he shouted, don't you see
the giri?"
Yes said the half drunk engineer why
don't the little fool get out of my way. I'll
teach her, and made no movement to stop.
Mike waited with sinking heart-Oh,
why did everything go against her? Was it
the will Of God that this dreadful thing must
happen The engine was close upon her
aud she ran up on a jutting rock by the rail.
road still waving her scarlet Aag-but just as
the engine came alongside of her she heard
the sharp click of the call bell in the engine
and saw the fireman thrust the engineer aside
and reverse the engine. The conductor, who
had seen her and excitedly pulled the bell.
rope, jumped of and came towards her
But the reaction was too much for poor Nike
and she could only gasp out Round the
curve, and then she was a white heap with
no sense Of anything.
Passengers rushed out, and after some had
been to the curve and seen what the plain
little girl had saved them from, no hdy in
the land could be 80 royalty waited upon as
she was when she had been lifted into the car
and told modesty her little story. II was
some little time before the track was ready
for the train to proceed and when Nike got
out at her own station, many kind hands
pressed hers in farewell, and the conductor
left something in her hand too, just as the
train left, saying you are the bravest little
woman in the state.
Not until she had been in the office good
half hour with her father, who had got hone
from his lawsuit and wondered what made
the train late aud where Nike had gone to-
and told him all the story, did Mike think TO
look at the packet Then she read a notc,
"Will Miss Euncs Markham accept the &C
compauying from the friends she so braysly
saved August 20, 1882"
The note was wrapped round $500 in bank
notes.
"Ob, papa! now you can pay of the mort.
gage on the house, cried Nike and the
father said
II declare, Nick, you get higher wages as
agent than do
The superintendent OF the q. a l.. railroad
company came down to Parkerstown that
week, aud soon after there was vacancy in
one of the best Offices Of the company in a
ueighboring city and Mr.. Markham was ten.
dered the situation. He accepted, so Mike
can have the schooling she wants so much, "
be said and to day little Eunice Markham Is
one Of the most promising pupils in the high
school of that city. But more than evcv is
she the pride of her fathers heart, who v.
er tires of telling of the afternoon Ibis girl
was station agent
But, after all, you would never take her
for q heroine.