Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-11-01
a Startling Experience.
EY LILY TYNEE.

Josie Mcclure was always plncky.
Every one said so, and what every one
says is pretty apt 10 have some truth in
1T. She was plucky from the hour of
her birth, when, IL poor, puny, post.
humous little creature, she was sent into
the world TO asSuagc The sorrow of Il half
hcart-brokcn widow mothcr-a delicate
creature whose near friends were few and
whose resources were slender.
Josie grew up the delight OF her
mothers heart. a Guick-wittcd little
rcd-haircd tcrmagant, some were pleased
to term her, but these were, as !; rule.
such of her schoolma.cs as had cause TO
fear her Just wrath for inistloings of their
own. Big boys who ;ormentcd their
smaller brethren and girls vino stopped
10 petty mcanncsscS were .Josic's special
dctcstntion But .jOsic's school life could
not last as long as that OF most girls. 1t
came upon her all ut once one day that
she had Il mission in the world, namely.
to assist in providing for herself and her
mother shall always believe that /
first put the notion III her head of bccom-
ing photograph operator. She used 10
come up TO tic depot Of that sleepy vii.
iage nearly every day OF hcr way home
from school and watch me at my work.
was stationmastcr, dispatcher and
general operator MI in one.
II don't think could ever learn 10
send Il message, " she said enc day, rs she
stood Watching me.
son, yes, you could" | answered.
Gin fact, think you'd soon become au
expert"
She looked up sharply with her bright,
rc'lh hazel eyes
'What makes You think so?''
Your quick nature and good sense. =
said. 81 don't believe you'd ever lose
your head
mo; am pretty cool Remember
when Crittcndcn's horse ran away will,
Grace and me? made Grace drop ont
over the rear of the wagon. Neither of
us was scratched. l was Just MS cool that
moment as am now. Grace was scream
ing murder"
III yon had position like mine" |
laughed, "tilcrc wouldn't be much ia
scare you. It's all can do to kce,,
awakc-somc days
I'D rather go farther West" said
Josie.
Briefly it happened 10 suit her
She took Il few lessons Of me. cave
hcT something of a start. Then she went
to the city and took Il regular course OF
instruction. The next | knew she had
been assigned to Il station five hundred
miles further toward the setting SUM-
Hcr mother and herself removed nj once
from our midst aud Josie was lost to me.
save for sparkling little episilc 1 used
10 receive every week or ten days detail
ing Ter various experiences.
I'm sure don't know low I should
have gotten on without her letters, I
missed her so mt first 1t turned fright
FULLY dull and sleepy ut my station, but |
managed TO keep awake and attend to
Things rs they deserved. Several months
passed. Winter slipped away and spring
moved along slowly. .Josc's letters camc
regularly to gladden. my heart.
Haven't much excitement out here. =
she wrote. mo Indians and only an
occasional train robbery No smasl-,u,s.
no collisions, nothing lively. MOI many
messages. Sometimes think I'll call
you up and chat Il little; then the round
about way puts Inc out Of the humor
Take vacation and visit lis soon
Mother will be so glad to sec YOU. Shes
crazy about her chickens; raising an cnor-
NOUS number And such luck they're
always falling into the soft-soap kcn or
something else. Mothers health is lust
splendid. As for me, I've gained fifteen
pounds" etc, etc.
1t was this that put the notion in my
head. ] obtained substitute and took
my vacation in early June.
The evening Of the next day I aliehtcd
from the way train at the town where
Josie and her mother lived-at the sta
ton where Josie herself was fixture.
a trim little figure came running
toward me. 1t was she. She had on 4
plain glngham dress and iaunty cap
was pushed back from the auburn hair
curling OH her forehead. She gave me II
good hearty handwriting and ordered me
into the station.
"Gracious" said I; ''not much more
than shed. Do you have it all TO your
eelf?"
'"Prctty often There's q man around
sometimes, but he lazy sort OF Il crca-
turc and, to tell the truth, haven't much
confidence in him. I've got my eye Oh
him pretty close. He went off this after
noon with quecr-looliing character,
some stranger friend Of his. Where they
went to is mystery; might have been
fishing, though folks don't fish at mid
day. Now" she went Oil, changing her
subject with her old vivacity, "it's just
about half an hour till supper time. I'll
give you full directions how to 90 and
you start at once. Walk fast and You'll
be in time. And won'tmothcr be pleased.
though! You see, I've got my supper
here in Tin pail. I've got to stay and
see the express go by all right
interrupted her with the wish that
she would allow me to remain with her.
But she shook her head.
HNo, J haven't enough simmer for two