The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-02-10

Inc conductor! WnerG Is nc? On,
sir! Start! Start! Get to the siding!
The express! The express is coming"
With Il cry she snatched lantern
from brakcman's hand, and in
flash was gone. They saw her light
pitching and dancing through the dark
ness and they were lost in wonder and
train is due now! There can be no
danger. She must be-
All! that horrible whistle. Such
wild shrick on o winters night! The
men sprang to the train, the women
and children fled in frantic terror in
every direction.
"Run for your lives" screamed the
conductor. "Therc's smash-up COM
ing"
| A short, sharp scream from the
whistle. The headlight CLEANED on the
snow-covcred track, and there was a
mad rush of sliding wheels and the
| gigantic engine roared like demon.
| The great "59" slowly drew near and
stopped in the woods. A hundred heads
looked out, and stalwart figure leapcd
down from the engine and ran on into
the bright glow of the headlight.
! "Katc!"
"Oh! John, l.
She fell into his arms scnsclcss and
white, and the lantern dropped from
her ncrvelcss hand
They took her up tcnderly and bore
her into the station-house and laid her
upon the sofa in the "ladics' room"
With hushcd voices they gathered round
to offer aid and comfort. Who was shep
How did she save the train9 How did
| she know of its approach?
'Shc is my daughter said tho old
stationmastcr. "Shc tends the telc.
graph
The president of the railroad, in his
! gold-bowcd spcctaclcs, drew near One
! grand lady in silk and satin pillowcd
Katc's head on her breast. They all
| gathered near to see if she revived. She
opened her ewes and gaZcd about dream.
lily, rs if in search of something.
"Do you wish anything. my dcar?"
said the president, taking her hand.
Some water, if You please, sir; and |
want want
They handed her some wine in a silver
goblet. She slipped II little. and then
looked among the strange faces as if in
search of someone.
"Are you looking for anyone, miss?"
"Ycs-nO--it is no matter. Thank
! you, ma am, ] feel better. ! sprained
any foot on the slecpers when ran
down the track. 1t is not severe. and
I'll sit up"
They were greatly pleased to see her
recover, and quiet buzz of convcrsa-
ton filled the room How did she know
it? How could she tell the special was
chasing us? Good heavens! if she had
not known it, what an awful loss Of
life there would have been; it was very
careless of the superintendent to follow
our train in such n reckless manner.
You feel better, my dear" said tho
president.
"Ycs, sir thank you. I'm sure I'm
thankful. | knew John-I mean tho
engine was coming"
You cannot be more grateful than
we are to you for avcrting such disas-
trous collision"
I'm sure I'm pleased, sir. l never
thought the telegraph
She paused abruptly.
"What tclcgraph?'
I'D rather not tell, sir"
But you will tell us how you knew
the engine was comingp"
Must you know?"
1--WE ought to know in order to re-
ward you properly.
She put up her hand in n gesture OF
refusal, and was silent. The president
and directors consulted together, and
two of them came to her and briefly said
they would be glad to know how she
had been made aware of the approach
ing danger.
"Wcll, sir, if John is willing, will
tell you all"
John Mills, the engineer, was called,
and he came in, cap in hand, and the
entire company gathered round in the
greatest eagcrncss.
Without the slightest aflcctation she
put her hand OH Johns grimy arm, and
said d
Shall tell them, Johnp They wish
to know about it. 1t saved their lives,
they say"
"And mine, too" said John, reyerent.
ly. "You had best tell them, or LEI
me-"
She sat down again, and then and
there John explained how the open cir.
cult line had been built, how it was
used, and frankly told why it had been
erected.
Never did story create profounder sen.
sation, The gentlemen shook hands
with him, and the president actually
kissed her for the company. A real cor.
poration kiss, loud and hearty. The
ladies fell upon her neck, and actually
cried over the splendid girl. Even the
children pulled her dress, and put theil
arms about her neck, and kissed away
the happy tears that covered her cheeks
Poor child! She was covered with
confusion, and knew not what to say OF
do, and looked imploringly to John
He drew near, and proudly took hel
hand in his, and she brushed away thu
tears and smiled.
The gentlemen suddenly seemed Il
hage found something vastly interesting
40 talk about. for they gathered in
knot in the corner of tho room. Pres
@pAly the president said aloud
: "&Santlemon a,RA directors, you mus
ydon me. and trust the ladies viii
pa. "e Same, II call you to order for 9
40 Il, 'atLer of business.
brief n. was sudden hush, and tho
There packed to sufFocation, wa
room, now
painfully qui, will please take min