Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-04-02

upon. And it was. After the sad fl.
neral. after the little white coffin had
been buried in the grave where q wilder
ness of flowers had been strewn; after
the earth had been shoveled back, the
solemn company Of people returned home
ward. The infant class, their teacher,
and Ike alone remained to strew this
tiny, new-made grave with flowers. And
the banner was there BE We faithful
unto death. The sorrowing aud pow
erty-stricken parents were not forgotten
BY likes Fund.
Our little infant class had now learned
to love Ike dearly. and, as for Stella,
am sure she thought very highly of our
hero.
She Sunday school was to have q pic.
mic in the large grove few miles south
of the city. The much-longed-for day
dawned at last, bright and clear, and
scarcely had the sun gotten out OF bed
when load after load of happy children
and their teachers were vending their
way to the grove.
s'You will come down during the day,
won't you, Ike2" said Stella, as the
former helped the little ones, one by one,
into the big wagon.
ssYes, I'll try to come down on No. 8.
The road runs within half-milc of the
grove, and I'll ride down on the engine
with Jack, and he'll letme off at the big
bridge"
s'Well, Ike, we'll meet you near the
big bridge and have a lunch ready"
So they drove away, the banner float
ing proudly in the morning breeze.
No. happened to be late that day,
and did not arrive until noon. Beside
the regular train there was an extra num-
Der of coaches filled with excursionists
going West.
slack, want to ride down to the big
bridge on the engine and get off there.
Am going to the picnic at the grove.
.sAll right, Ike; we've got q heavy
train, and we are an hour behind; but !
guess we can make it up.
Ike had always had desire to run an
engine, and often when riding with some
good -natured engineer friend they would
allow him to s'run the machine a few
miles.
''Can handle her down to the bridge,
Jack?"
.'Yes, l guess so; but we must make
up time. Put on steam.
Away they flew. The long train thun-
dered down the gentle declivity, and the
ponderous engine swayed and rocked
and rushed forward like the wind.
Ease her little, Ike; we're nearing
the bridge"
Just then, as they shot around the
curve, Ike's eye caught sight of white
signal.
s'My Godl Jack, see that signal7
There's danger aheadn
Then began the struggle. Steam was
shut off and the engine reversed, as the
long, shrill whistle sounded for the ex-
ira brakes
There on the bridge, stood Stella,
waving the banner frantically to and fro.
Onward came the train, laundering and
roaring upon them. But there she Stood
pale as death, surrounded by those little
ones, fighting for the lives of those on
board-and for his.
And how the heroes of the engine
worked. At last. the train was under
control and was stopped at the brink Of
destruction.
Two broken rails lay across the bridge.
Some villains work. Our infant class
and their teacher had come to meet their
friend, and found this dcath-trap. And
there, in the face of the king of terrors,
they were faithful
And were not this class and its teacher
rewarded for their bravery2
Yes, and there was wedding soon af-
terward. Ike and Stella were there, and
so was the infant class And SO, also,
was likes banner. ~ Washington Hutch.
ct.