The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-05-26
Selftt Story..
THE sWlTcH-TENDER.

l
is early morning.. aad all is light and
freshness. The door opens, man ap-
pears at the thresholds smile on bis face
and an expec,aut look iu his eyes. There
is a movement behind the trunk of On
apple tree; the mans smile grows broad
er and from the tree, like dryad, rushes
charming little faxen 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." she said with shade OF an
noyatce.
"Oh! we share her very fairly" said
the man with the kindest and most pa.
ternal smile
"If you knew" he resumed, show
quickly the hours pass when she is down
there with me-"
Don, you think l know, when ! find
them so long in her absenceP"
Il was embarrassing. Aimee herself
beean to be troubled bv this converse
ton, and feeling that she could not please
both these beings that she loved so much
she was ready TO cry. Celine saw it at
once and yielded.
Take her, Lawrence; would rather
have her 60 than to feel badly about it,"
The father at these words showed
some feeling.
"No," said be in his turn, "keep her !;
you deserve it, you love her best"
And the discussion began again, butit
was this time struggle OF generosity.
At last the husband took his darling in
bis arms and smile reappeared on the
child's lips.
CeliEe looked longingly after them and
re-entered the house.
One morning, without saying anything
to Celine, Laurence took the little girrs
hand to lead her away, when her mother
suddenly appeared.
What she said. 'You would take
her without telling me ?"
"Don't you think that" said Laurence
In some confusion. ave we're in fun-
we we're going to hide behind the trees
and see you look for us."
"Oa!' said CeliDe doubtfally.
Listen, Laurence" she continued.
Aimee grows more restless and trouble.
some every day. 1t is dangerous to let
her 90 with you"
"What do you mean ?" said the man
turning pale.
Il mean tha, I am afraid Of your rail-
road with its trains and locomotives.
"You are very foolish"
Leave her here I can hardly breathe
while ms little girl is down there 1t is
frightful to think Of, but she migat get
awav and be killed."
"Dont talk so, Celine."
s.She roight run away while you are al
the switch, and il you left it to look AZ.
Ter her you would fail 10 your duty and
might be the cause OF dreadful disas.
ter"
"Oh. Celine. beg OF you, don't Y
cried Laurence who shuddered at the
idea.
The young woman did not insist. The
swiich-tender gradually recovered him.
self. "My poor Aimee!' he cried en-
hrscing the child frantically. ut is tor
bad, Cellne; 1t is q shame 10 friehten me-
So" Celine smiled and the conversation
ended as usual, with these words from
Laurence: you will come for her O.
noon."
Little by little their terrors faded
away. Laurence reasoned with himself
"The child" he said. '.is familiar with
the passage of the trains. it is true, bu'
-he is old enough to comprehend The
danger"
4 And his apprehensions gradually van.
ished
One evening, however, when he wen,
home be found that he had been prece.
ded by the romor Of an accident which
had occurred at neighboring station
A brakeman bad heen crushed by IN ex
press train. Celine questioned her hus'
band while they we're at supper.
Ills IT true that Simon is killed 2" che
asked
NO." replied Laurence: 'he was ir
great danger bot he escaped, thanks to
his wonderful cooinees."
"Then be Is not dead ?" said Celine.
"No; and yet the whole train wen
over him. When Simon saw it was toe
late to save bimsel be laid fat down ir
the middle of the track, and when tb,
Itrain passed by he got up again safe and
Sound ! saw him, and asked him how
lit made him feel. Al firsi, he said, wher
the engine went over him, he was yer,
warm and after that the time seemed
long That was all. You know Simor
is not easily frightened. He is ready tt
| go to work again." added Laurence tran
lquilly.
) But Celine's anxieties were aroused
{ airesh. "a
i Sometime after that the hours OF ser
: vice were changed and Laurence tool
the night section He could no ionge
think of taking Aimee with him.
a One evening, however, poor woms
In the village was taken very III. Tn
doctor who csme wrote prescriptio