The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-02-04

covered platform. There stood the
directors train upon the track of the
oncoming engine. ..-.-..
1.-THE conductor! Where is hep Oh,
sir! Start! Start! Get to tho siding!
The express! The express is coming!'
With a cry she snatched lantern
from brakeman'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
amazement The girl is crazy! No
train is due now! There can be no
danger. She must be-
All! that horrible whistle. Such
wild shrek on winters night! The
men sprang to the train, the women
and children fed in frantic terror in
every direction.
Run for your lives" screamed the
conductor. There's . smash-up COM
ingr'
A short, sharp scream from the
whistle. The headlight cleaned on the
snow-covercd track, and there was
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 n stalwart figure leaped
down from the engine and ran on into
the bright glow of the headlight.
"Katem
ooh! John, /"
She fell into his arms scnseless and
white, and the lantern dropped from
her nerveless hand.
They took her up tenderly and bore
her into the station-house and laid her
upon the sofa in the 'ladies' room"
With hushed voices they gathered round
to offer aid and comfort. Who was sheP
How did she save the trainp How did
she know of its approachp
'She is my daughter" said the old
stationmaster. "She tends the tele.
graph"
The president Of the railroad, in his
gold-bowed spcctacles, drew near. One
grand lady in silk and satin pillowed
Kate's head on her breast. They all
gathered near to see if she revived. She
opened her eyes and gazed about dream
lily, as if in search of something.
DO you wish anything. my dearp"
said the president, taking her hand.
,s, Some water, if you please sir; and I
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, missp"
"Yes-no-it is no matter. Thank
you, ma'am, l feel better. l sprained
my foot on the slccpers when l 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 usp 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 In
thankful. l knew john mean thu
engine was coming"
"4ou cannot be more grateful tina,
We are to you for averting such n disas
trous collision"
"Im sure I'm pleased, sir. nevc
thought the telegraph"
She paused abruptly.
What telegraph"
"Id rather not tell, sir"
"But you will tell us how you knew
"Must you know?"
1--WE ought to know in order to re
ward you PROPERLY
She put up her hand in q gesture {
refusal, and was silent. The prcsder
and directors consulted together, an
two of them came to her and briefly sal
they would be glad to know how sb
had been mado aware of the approach
ing danger.
,",Well, sir, if John is willing, I wi
tell you all"
John Mills, the engineer, was called
and he came in, cap in hand, and th
entire company gathered round in IT,
greatest eagcrncss.
Without the slightest affcctation 81
put her hand on Johns grimy arm, an
said
Shall tell them, John? They wis
to know about it. 1t saved their live
they say"
"And mino, too" said John, rcyercn
ly. "You had best tell them, or
me-"
She sat down again, and then ana
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 saw or
do, and looked imploringly to John.
He drew near, and proudly took her
hand in his, and she brushed away tho
tears and smiled.
The gentlemen suddenly seemed to
have found something vastly interesting
to talk about. for they gathered in a
knot in the corner of the room. Pres
emily the president said aloud
Gentlemen and directors, you must
pardon mc, and / trust the ladies will
do the same, if | call you to order for o
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