Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-01-31

room.
"We'll have ter hurry up an git
somebody might have heard tie boy
cry for help. It's almost time for the
passenger train ter come in sight, eny.
way"
AT tho words passenger train, Abram
although half stunned, raised himself
upon one elbow and listened To the con-
versation of the two men with beating
heart and eager ears.
"These men will roh the train, per-
haps throw it from the track, and muir
der all the passengers and must |, al
though boy, lie here like dog, when
perhaps | could steal out unseen and
! giye the alarm No will try to
save the train even if l must die for
it - the brave little fellow thought.
"Yer right ; it's almost time FOR us
to be at work, or We'll miss the train
ter night again. What'll We do with
the little niger -
Turning suddenly as he spoke, he
caught sight of Abram in the attitude
| of listening.
"Well, I'll be burned if the little
wretch amt alive and kicking, and lis
tening ter every word as we has been
talking ! 1t would be mighty danger
Gus ter let i'm live -; We'll ave ter kill
'im or take him wild us. Say, pard.
what III we do wild him ?"
Take him wild us j; he can carry the
lamp and hold it for US while we fix the
track, and if he attempts ter squeal
then Well have ter kill i'm"
"By Jove, that's 81 l didn't think
of that. Come here you little imp, l
wants yer Move as If yer had some
life, or I'll throw this chair at yer ~
said the villain Jerry, as he poised o
stool threatingly in the air.
Abram, with his head almost burst.
ing, and his body paining him in every
JOINT from the injuries received from
the wretches, turned with half.smoth-
cred cry Of pain rose TO his feet, and
slowly limped toward the fellow. His
mid was made up to make an attempt
to give the alarm or perish in attempt
ing it. "What did it matter if there
were one little nigger less in the
world =? Nobody but good old man.
my would miss-much less mourn for
him." his thoughts ran.
Alas, too true Nobody loved him
as much as nanny did, and was not
nanny his mother
Ah, this God-like mother love that
binds mother to child and child to
mother.
Selling the lamp in one hand Jerry
led the way to the door, followed by
Bill pulling the boy after him. The
light was blown out, and the party
made for the canyon trestleworks a
short way off. Soon reaching the de-
sired spot, Jerry relit the lamp and mo-
toned to the terrified lad to take it in
his hands and hold it so the twain
could get the benefit of the light to
work by. Abram took the light in his
trembling hands and held it in the pO-
sitiOn the man suggested. AS the light
was very dim, Bill bade the boy take
his hat and use 1t for a reflector then
the men proceeded TO displace the rails
so that the coming train would jump
the trick and fall with its human
freight to the canyon below, there TO
be dashed to pieces against the rocks
of the ravine.
While the men were conversing in q
low tone and working at the rails the
low rumtle Of the approaching train
was heard. The men by this time had
torn away a few ties and had placed
them on one side Of the track. Jerry
was in the act of holding up one side
of the loosed track, using rail as lie.
yer, aud Bill had crawled beneath to
block that portion 80 as to raise it to
proper angle, when the train was seen
swinging around the curve. Abram
saw al opportunity an1 imm ediately
proceeded to take advantage Of it turn
Ing the wick of the lamp co its full
height and rushing with h3adlong speed
toward the train.
Jerry at once perceived the boys de.
sign, and in the excitement of the mo-
ment forgot about the presence Of Bill
beneath the held up track, let go his hCld,
per mitting the track to fall back into
its original position, pinning that indi
Yidual to the earth beneath its en-
brace. Nor did he hear the smothered
cry for help from his friend as he ran
from the spot in hot pursuit Of Abram.
1t seemed as if terror had lent him
wings, Cor lie was running with all his
might, andeWas some distance ahead of
Jerry.
1t did not take the man long to catch
up with him however, ard then ter
rible struggle took place for the possess
ion of the lamp.