Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-06-12
THE SWITCH TENDER.
FROM THE FRENoH o. 8. De BANs

FROM THE FRENCH OF O. DE BANS.
A little white house seems asleep
among the bIossoming apple trees. It
Is early morning, and all is light and
freshness. The door opens, man APP
pears at the threshold, q smile on his
face and an expectant look in his eyes.
There is . movement behind the trunk
Of an apple tree. The mans smile
grows broader, and from the tree, like
dryad, rushes charming little haxen-
haired girl, who throws herself with q
burst Of laughter into his arms.
''May take the little one, Celine p
said the father.
At these words lovely blonde made
her appearance.
"Again r. she said with q shade Of an-
noyance.
ooh we share her very fairly, /" said
Che man, with the kindest and most
paternal smile. eff you knew" he re-
sumed, show quickly the hours pass
when she Is down there with me.
"Don't you think I know, when / find
them so long in her absence p
1t was embarrassing. Aimee herself
began to be troubled by this CONVERSE
ton, and feeling that she could not
please both these beings that she loved
90 much, she was ready to CRY. Oeline
saw it at once and yielded.
s'Take her, Laurence, would rather
have her go than feel badly about II. !"
The father ct these words showed
some feeling.
"No," said he, In bis turn, keep her,
you deserve IL; you love her best.
And the discussion began again, but
It was this time . struggle Of generosity.
AT last the husband took his darling IN
his arms, and q smile reappeared on the
child's lips.
Celine looked longingly after them,
and re-entered the house.
One morning, without saying any
thing to Celine, Laurence took the little
girls hand to lead her away, when her
mother suddenly appeared.
'sWhat r. she said. "You would take
her without telling me 2"
aDon't think that, said Laurence, in
some confusion. I'VE were In fun-we
were going TO hide behind the trees and
see you look for us.
'sOh r. said Celine, doubtfully.
ssListen, Laurence" she continued.
ssAimee grows more restless and trouble
some every day. It is dangerous to let
her 60 with you
ssWhat do you mean 2" said the man,
turning pale.
81 mean that am afraid Of your rail-
road, with its trains and locomotives.
ssYou are very foolish"
ssLeave her here. can hardly breathe
while my little girl is down there. It Is
frightful to think Of. but she might get
away and be killed"
'sDon't talk 70, CeIine.
''She might run away while you are
at the switch, and If you left it to look
after her, you would fail IN your dnty,
and might be the cause Of z dreadful
disaster.
"Oh. Oeline, I beg Of Jon, don't r
cried Laurence, who shuddered ct the
idea
The young woman did not insist The
switOh-tender gradually recovered him
SELF
my poor Aimee |" he cried, embrac-
ing the child frantically. ct il TOO bad,
Celine; il Is 4 shame to frighten me 50.
Celine smiled. and the conversation
ended 81 usual with these words from
Laurence:
ssYou VIII come for her aE noon.
Little b little their terrorn faded
away. Laurence reasoned With himself
seChe child. he said. sis familiar
With the passage q ths trains, Il Is
true. but she Is old enough - c0npre-
hend the danger And his npprahen-
niona gradually vanished
One evening, howsveE. when he went
home be found be had been preceded b
The rum0r a ia accident which had 81.
cuzred al . neighborino station. AL
brakeman had been crushed by 80 ex-
press train. Cslins ID ioned hez hus-
bard While They wers 81 supper. bit
true that Simon i killed 4. nho ankea
'.No: replied I.anzenos: s.hs ms IA