San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-12-20

neck, Every moment seemed an hour
She had attempted "a short cut across the
lots, and all at once there arose before
here high stone wall that she had en-
tirely forgotten. Could Wildtire take it?
Her heart was i'm her throat: hut she
braced herself for the leap. Wildfre
paused. breathing heavily. hesitatcd
and then. lightly as bird vaultcd
gracefully over. 1t is nearly dark hut
the lights of CranstOn can he seen glim-
mering in the distance, Get up Get
up. Wildfrc"' urges Chatty impatiently.
for the horse having expended his super
tluOus energy. is beginning to quiet
down. Her plaid falls back. her long
hair floats on the evening breeze and her
pulses beat wildly. A bright spot like a
red and fiery eye suddenly shines across
the fields. 1t is the head light of the en-
CINE The train is already at the re-
freshment station, where they ljnger ten
minutes for supper. o. If il should start
before she gets there, Hurry. hurry
Wildfre, She screams. although the
horse is almost running. She hears the
whistle. hears the bell sound the signal
for departure. and. carried out of her
self, stands up in the saddle. shouts
aloud and waves her plaid in the hope
of attracting attention. The long re-
freshment counter has been swept clean.
and the passengers are hurTying to the
cars, when all pause in surprise at a
huge black steed that comes dashing on
to the platform, stopping so suddenly
that the little rider loses her hold. flies
over his head and is caught in the arms
of a tall man with buShv whiskers,
while she cries: Stop! stop, the rail.
road bridge is down and you will be lost
if you go on.
The excitement is intense. Passen-
gers and employees crowd around: but
she hears only one voice, which
exclaims, Why, its Chatty, my little
Chatty" and now that danger is past,
she gives out and fants away in her
fathers arms, for the tall man is no
other than Captain Macdonald, given
back to home and family from the perils
of the deep. And very proud he is of
his young daughter. when restored to
consciousness, she tells the story of the
flood. and receives the thanks and bless
ingS of the grateful travellers. What
Thanksgiving that was in the old red
house when the crickcts-not whit the
worse for their journey in ChatIy'S peck
ct-Chirpcd merry chorus on the
hearth. Chatty nestled close to her
fathers side and hcamcd with Happiness.
while the dear old grandmother, her
mother and Jessie fairly >cintilatcd with
delight Mrs. Pctcrkin'> turkey did not
grace the feast; hut a far larger and
plumpcr bird. over which Sandy related
his adventurous story of shipwreCk.
fever. and weeks of inSrnsibilry in
foreign hospital. and lastly of lucky
stroke which sent him home with honor
and fortune.
And just as Chatty thought her cnp Of
happiness was running over. another
drop was added in the arrival of beau
tiful little lithe-limbed Stccd. the gift of
the grateful passengers Of the rescued
train to the heroine of the Five Forks
THE dear little crickets brought us "A
shower of good luck after all. did they
not, Grandma asked she gaily. Yes,
my bairnie. SO far as if you had not
gone for them yeStcrnight the rest
would not have fOllOwcd but much
more | fancy is owing to the bravery of
one wee lassie named Chatty "-Agnes
Carr Sage, in -Amcrjc0H lgricUituria.