The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-07-02
THE SWITCH.TENDER.
From tho French of c, De Bans.


A little white house seems asleep
among the blossomins apple trees. 1t
is early morning. and all is light and
freshness The door opens, man ap.
pears at the threshold, smile on his
face and an expectant look in his eyes.
There is a movement behind the trunk
of an apple tree. The mars smile
grows broader, and from the tree, like
a dryad, rushes charming little ilaxen-
haired girl, who throws herself with
burst of laughter into his arms.
"AIay l take the little one, Celine?"
said the father.
At these words lovely blonde made
her appearance.
Again !" she said, with a shade of
annoyance
"Oh we share her very fairly" said
the man, with the kindest and most pa
tclnal smile IF yon knew" he re-
sumed. chow quickly the hours pass
when she is down there with me-"
Don't you think | know when I find
them SO long in her absence?"
1t was embarrassing. Aimee herself
began to be troubled by this conver-
sation, 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, Laurence; | would rath
er have her 60 than feel badly about
it,"
The father at these words showed
some feeling.
No" (" said he, in his turn, keep her,
YOU deserve it; YOU love ner best"
Audthe discussion began again, but
it was this time struggle Of generosity.
At laststhe husband took his darling in
his arms, and smile reappeared on the
child'sI lips.
Celine looked longingly after tleni,
and re-entered the house.
One morning, without saying any
thing to Celine, Laurence took the little
girls hand to lead her away, when her
mother suddenly appeared.
"What!" said she. "Iou would take
her without telling me?"
Don't think that" said Laurence,
in some confusion. "We were in fun
we were going to hide behind the
trees and see you look for us. -
"Ohw said CeliLe. doubtfully.
Listen, Laurence" she continued.
"Aimee grows more restless and trouble
some every day. 1t it dangerous to Let
her go with you"
'What do you mean?" said the man,
! turning pale.
''I mean that am afraid of your
railroad, with it's trains and locomo-
tives."
"You are very foolish.
breathe while my little girl is down
there. 1t is frightful to think Of, but
she might get away and be killed"
Don't talk so, Celina.
''She might run away while you are
at the switch, and if you lefsit to looL
after her, you would fail iASour duty
and might be the cause ofa dreadful
disaster"
"Oh Celine, 1 beg of you, don't" cried
Laurence, who shuldered at the idea
Tho young woman did not insist
! The switchtender gradually recovered
himself.
"My poor Aimee" he cried, embrac
ing the child frantcallv. 1T is too bad
| Celine; it is a shame to frighter me
So
Celine smiled, and the conversation
ended as usual with these words from
Laurence:
"You will come for her at noon"
~
away. Laurence reasoned with him
self.
"The child" he said, is familiar will
the passage of the trains, it is true, bu
she is old enough to comprehend tn,
danger" And his apprehensions gra
dually vanished.
One evening, however, when he wen,
home he found he had been preceded
by the rumor of an accident which haC
occurred at Il neighboring station.
brakeman had been crushed by an ex.
press train. Celina questioned her hus,
band while they were at supper. Is i
true that Simon is killed 2" she asked.
NO." replied Laurence; she was i,
great danger, but he escaped, thanks
to his wonderful coolness."
IDtll lle Is liOl tcdtt Stlu SelluS
"No; and yet the whole train wen
over him. When Simon sawit was to-
late to save himself, he laid fiat dowl
in the middle of the track, and when tn,
train passed by he got up again saf
and sound. Isaw him, and l asked hin
how it made him feel At first, he said
when the engine went over him, he wa
very warm, after that the time SCENE,
long. That was all You know Simol
is not easily FRIGHTENED. He is read.
to go to work again." added Laurence
TRANQUILITY.
But Celines ahxieties were arouse,
afresh.
Sometime after that the hour
of service were changed and Lamenc
took the night section. He could n
longer think oftaking Aimee with him
One evening, however, poor womal
in the village was taken very i'll. Th
doctor who came wrote prescription
and said to the neighbors lie foun
there: "These medicines can only b
had in the town, and you must nc
wait for them. Let one of you go to til
railway station, where there is porta
bic pharmacy, and ask the stationmaste
on my account for little laudanun
That will quiet the pain till You ca
have the prescriptions. Which of yo
will go?'
"Celine. Cclne!" said severa
voices 1t was certain that the station
master would not hesitate tc give he
the medicine.
The young woman thought at first {
leaving Aimee, but, as she had bee
particularly restless all day, Celln
concluded to take her. They had
pass Inurence's post to go to the sta
ton He saw them COMING aud