Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1888-02-11

east of me, and must now be within five /
miles of our station.
"That way, papa! Look through..the
trec-seer
81 turned and saw, rising above the |
trees, the black smoke which denoted
the apprOa IN Of trlin. In an inst snt
unde-stooo the situation. The freigl,
was approaching; the freight which was
Orderei to remain at A to Cross the
passenger tran. For a moment l was
dazed, bu; only for a moment, for knew
something must be done, and that
quickly, to avert an awful Catasthrope.
"Below my station, some hundred
yards or so, round a curve VIII n hid it
from sight, was 3 switch which opened
upon side track running by the station
for another hundred yards, and which
would hold the freight could but reach
and open it before the freight arrived
there. But l must also stop the passen-
ger train for fear the freight would not
get on in time.
Rushing into the station l grasped
my signal flags, put the blue in its proper
place, but not daring to trust to that to
stop them, for fear the engineer, having
his orders to run past my station, and at
the high rate of speed he was coming.
might not see il, took the red flag and
the boy in my arms, ant placing him in
the middle of the platform, put the flag
in his hands.
"'Arthurr l said sternly, do Just as
papa says, now, and we will save the
trains Stand right here. DO not move
except to wave this flag, sor giving him
the up and down motion. 'Wave it, nv
brave boy, and do not stop till papa gets
ba"kn
"His blue eyes Iilled with tears at my
manner, and giving him a kiss to reassurc
him, turned and ran for the switch.
Could reach it in time: l must Over
the ties ran for life, for lives; for if the
trains came in collision at that high rate
of speed, many lives must be sacrificed.
GAS turned the curve looked back
at the station. There the little fellow
stood, just where had placed him, and
the flag, yes. the flag was waving, up
and down, up and down, as fast as the
stout little arms could move il, and
away down The line as far as the eye
could reach, could see the special pas
scnger train coming. Now for it. Look
ing and rup~ G ahead again l saw the
freight.
"'Thank God l shall reach the switch
first, cried, and ran on. My switch-key
was out of my pocket as l ran, and in
my hand. A moment more and the
switch was reached, and the train a
thousand feet behind IN the race for life.
To insert the key, unlock and throw the
rails upon the siding, was the work of an
instant.
"Yes. Twas discovered by the eu-
gineer of the train-heard the shrill
whistle for brakes, the danger signal, saw
the engine reversed, the brakeman scram-
bling over the tops of the cars setting the
brakes, and Knew all was done that
could possibly be done to slackcn the
speed of the heavy train.
"In moment they were within hall
ing distance, the fireman was upon my
sidc, down upon the steps of his engine
making ready to jump.
"'Stick to your engine cried. run
upon the siding. Tel the engineer to
stick and stop her for his lfe.'
''It is wonderful that he heard me,
much more comprehended by meaning
and hiss of escaping steam, as the engine
rolled by at greatly reduced speed; but
saw him climb back and commence set
ting the brake of the tender. With
terrible roar and grinding of the brakes
upon the wheels, the train passed.
II closed and locked the switch upon
the main line, and started back for the
station. l knew the special must have
stopped there, else, ere this, it would
have been upon us. Yes! Sure enough
coming in sight of the station-thcre
she stood, safe and sound, and upon the
siding beside it stood the freight, now
come to full stop.
1.-THE platform in front of the little
depot was filled with the passengers of
the special and train-men. saw the
boy, still holding the red flag, in the
arms of the Superintendent. Crowded
about him were President. Board of
Directors and other notables, invited
guests of the road. with ,heir ladies,
numbering full twenty-five people, who
certainly, some of them if not all, owed
their life to the little fellow. Upon
reaching the station | was at once the
centre of the excited throng, all eager
for an explanation. IN as few words as
possible gave, in answer to the Super
intendent's inquiry, my stOry-how the
baby had discovered the approaching
freight, how had instantly placed him
with the flag. which, it seems had been
the means of stopping them, how had
fastened to the switch, arriving Just in
time to put the freight upon the siding,
and that was all.
"All?-no. This was followeS by an
impromptu directors meeting in my lit
tie en-by nine station-a directors
meeting in which ladies took a promi.
nent part. l was called in with my wife,
who had run - the station, alarmed by
the unusual oxci:ement--and the boy.
Speeches were made which brought the
blush to my cheeks and tears to my
wife's eyes, tears of joy and pride in the
boy.
:'Yes, sir! They voted me two thou
sand dollars for prompt action and
heroic conduct in the time of danger,
ard at the suggestion of the ladies who
but woman would have thought of any
thing so romantic l-also voted to pace
the boy upon the pay-roll as telegraph
operator.
"A happy household we were that
; evening, and with many kiss the boy
} was put to bed that night. The next
day l was called to the general Offices,
and the dispatcher having told his story,
how the orders had been promptly given
to hold the freight, there were no doubts
now as to the person who had been re-
| mice in dutv unon both Occnsions I wa,