Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-01-21
"She tends the tele-

| opened her eyes and gazed about dream
| lily, as II in search OF something.
''Do you wish anything, my dearpn
said the president, taking her hand.
Some water, if you please, sir; and l
WANT want
They handed her some wine in silver
goblet She slipped little and then
looked among the strange faces as if in
search of someone.
'Are you looking for anyone, miss?"
"Yes-no-it is no matter Thank
you, ma'am, / feel better. l sprained
my foot on the sleepers when | ran
down the track. 1t is not severe, and
I'll sit up.
They were greatly pleased to see her
| recover, and a quiet buzz of conversa-
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 reckless manner
You feel better, my DEAR said the
president.
Yes, sir, thank you. I'm sure Tn
thankful | knew john mean the
engine was coming"
lyon cannot be more grateful than
we are to you for averting such disas-
trous collision"
I'm sure I'm pleased, sir. never
thought the telegraph
She paused abruptly.
"What telegraph"
I'D rather not tell sir"
ssRnt vn,t will foil NC baxx, xyo,, l,no,,,
the engine was coming?"
Must you know?"
I'VE ought to know in order to re-
ward you properly"
She put up her hand in a 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.
''Well, sir, if John is willing, l 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 eagerness.
Without the slightest affectation she
put her hand on Johns grimy arm, and
said
''Shall tell them, John? They wish
to know about it. 1t saved their lives
they say"
And mine, too" said John, reverent-
ly. You had best tell them, or let
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 their
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 or
do, and looked imploringiy to John
He drew near, and proudly took her
hand in his, and she brushed away the
tears and smiled.
The gentlemen suddenly seemed to
have found something vastly interesting
to talk about. for they gathered in
knot in the corner of the room. Pres
emily the president said aloud
Gentlemen and directors. Won must
pardon me. and trust the ladies will
do the same, il | call YOU to order for
brief matter of business.
There was a sudden hush and the
room, now packed to siIiiocation, was
painfully quiet.
"The ,sacretary win please take min
uteS ot this meeting"
The SEER taiy >at down at Hates desk,
and then there was i little pause.
'.Mr. President
Every eye was turned to q corner
where gray-haired gentleman had
mounted chair.
"Mr. PRESIDENT
''NIr. Graves, director for the State,
gentlemen
Il beg leave, sir, to offer resolu-
ton
Then he began to read from slip of
paper
''Whereas, John Mills, engineer of
engine number 80 of this railway line,
erected a private telegraph; and where
as he, with the assistance of the tele-
graph operator of this station q leave Il
blank for her name), used the said line
without the consent of this Company,
and for other than railway business:
ut is resolved that he be suspended
permanently from his position as en-
gineer, and that the said operator be
requested TO resign"
A murmur of disapprobation filled the
room, but the president commanded
silence, and the State director went on.
resign her place
1T is further resolved and is hereby
ordered, that the said John Mills be and
is appointed chief engineer of the new
repair shops at Slawson.
A tremendous cheer broke from the
assembled company, and the resolution
was passed with n shout of assent.
How it all ended they never knew.
1t seemed like dream, and they could
not believe it true till they stood alone
in the winters night on the track be-
side that glorious $50 The few cars
the engine had brought up had been
joined to the train, and $50 had been
rolled out on the siding. With many
handshakings for John, and hearty
kisses for Kate, and a round of parting
cheers for the two, the train had sped
away. The idlers had dispersed, and
none fingered about the abandoned
station save the lovers. '59o would
stay that night on the siding. and they
had walked up the track to bid it long
farewell.
For few moments they stood in the
glow of the great lamp, and then he
quietly put it out. and left the giant to
breathe away its fiery life in gentle
clouds of white steam. As for the lovers
they had no need of its light. The
winter stars shone upon them, and the