The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-10-09
"Oh, wait, Lawrie! I'll 90, IN go,


Well, Thought you'd be sensible, :"
was the magnanimous reply. "Of
course, p!i be careful. Here, let me
help You down the bank. Now ain t
this nicer than the old road?"
1t was nice. Elsie could not deny
it There was a wild excitement in
jumping sleepers and walking rails.
The banks were starred with daisies
and buttercups; while bobolink's wild
song made all the air palpitate with
its maddening mirth. 1t was just the
kind OF day to make one a hero
and the very air was intoXicating-and
theSlittle girls laugh soon rang out as
merrily as Lawrie's own. Not one
fear did she feel until she found her.
self nearing the steep rock cutting
which all the children called the =" big
rocks Elsie had often stood upon
its summit, for the columbine grew
thickly there, and it was favorite re-
sort. She had never failed to look
down its steep sides with thrill of
terror, and now that she found herself
actually about to enter this mysteri-
Gus precinct, something of the old
fear returned.
just then cattle train, which they
had heard numbering behind them,
came so near that Lawrie considered
it prudent to step upon the other
track. think he had kept purposely
upon the track of the train, that he
might have the pleasure of saying
grandly as they left it: There, ain t
that easy now?" At all events, he
said it, and Elsie looked at him with
reverential admiration. She never
doubted his heroism-not she!
1t was a long train--they were near
ly through the cutting, and still there
seemed no end to the brown cars, filled
with sitting, lowing cattle. They were
so confused by the noise that they
heard no other sound, nor did they
have the slightest warning of approach
ing danger, until swift from around a
sudden curve, they saw coming, down
upon them with the speed of the wind,
the lightning express!
ooh, Elsie! Elsie! Elsier' cried Law
RE, with a white face, as he danced up
and down in an ecstacy of terror.
One terrific glance the little maiden
cast around. No help on the right
for there was the steep rock; no help
on the left-for there was the passing
train; no help in front, with that fiery
monster bearing down upon them; no
time to run back!
She said afterward that it seemed as
if she stood there ga million years,
but, in reality in far less time than it
has taken me to tell the story, she had
grasped her frantic brother by the arm,
fairly dragging him into the narrow
path between the tracks, and crying:
''Lie down, Lawrie, lie DOWN. they
had thrown themselves upon their
faces, and in that very instant had felt
The mighty whirlwind rush of the pass
ing train.
'Oh, dear me!' were Elsie's first
words. as she once more stood up
right; IF l haven't just ruined my new
dress!h
But Lawrie did not think of his
clothes-not he! He sat down upon
the track, and cried and cried, while
Elsie, very much astonished, stood by
and tried to comfort him
Come on, he said at last, 'let's
60 home l don't want to go to no old
party"
Shall we go this wayP' asked Elsie,
timidlY.
mo; never want to see the mean
old track again. Let's go back piece
till you can crawl up the bank and get
to the road" and very Solemnly our
brave knight marched homeward, with
hardly word to the little damsel who
trotted so meekly by his side.
Papa and mamma were not yet at
home, SO it was not until they were
gathered around the supper table that
they listened to the story which Law
RE, whose spirits were wonderfully re-
viyed, told so fluently.
Mamma clasped her little daughter
very closely in her arms, and papa's
eyes were misty as he asked: "How
came you to think of lying down, my
darling"
"Oh, remembered a story 1 heard
you read once" said Elsie, as if ere
membering' under such circumstances
was, of all things, the simplest.
''Well, Sir Launcelot, and who do
you think has proved the brave knight
today" was papa's next question, but
very gravely.
"Oh, suppose Elsie was, in one
way, but you see it took me so sudden.
You know | never can think, papa,
and besides | wasn't one bit afraid to
60 on the track, and Else was. "-Cath-
ertjae Stevenson, IN Montreal Witness.