Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-16

young SiIl Will set ldce anu eye
fixed upon the distant line of rail
ringing the bell and holding the lever
while her hair was blowing wildly
away from her face, and her form
shook with the vibration of the engine
which was doing its best
One station reached and passed
The station master and the LOTTERIES
looked on in stupid wonder, and she
was out Of sight before they realized
who drove the engine. Sweet wild
roses bIoomed along the roadside, the
cows in the fields turned sleepy eyes
towards the rushing thing which
seemed like something enraged.
The grazing horses started, and tore
along the length of their pastures in a
vain effort to keep up with the flying
monster. The second station was a
speck in the distance, came near, was
passed, and still the engine kept its
speed. Was that something ON the
track, could she slow up in time if it
was? No, the hand relaxed again for
it was but the shadow of tree moving
in the wind. Where was the turnpike
for which she must sound the whistle.
All there it was, she saw the dust of
the road, and after moment more the
whistle sounded shrill and clear, and
the engine sprang forward across the
public road, where teamsters and their
wagons had come to halt. She did
not see the wondering looks that fol-
| lowed. The houses were increasing
they dotted the road on both sides a
great factory with whirring machinery
was passed, and a coal yard where
side track ran. Now for whistle
again, and the hand slowly pressed
upon the lever, and the great creature,
with a trembling desire to rush on,
began to check its mad career.
'Ding, ding" went the bell They
were on the lookout for her. Signals
spoke, flags waved, slowly and more
slowly moved the mighty force, and
quiet as a child who tired with play
ereeps into its soft couch, the engine
halted in front of the Junction
There stood the waiting express,
and all the people, who were so anxi-
Gus to reach their destinations, and
were so eager for the engine, hailed it
with delight.
Pressing through the crowd came
joe and not until she saw his face did
Sues hand drop at her side. 1t was
almost powerless, every nerve had been
strained to its utmost
ooh, Sue" said Joe tenderly, rs he
helped her to step upon the station
platform, how shall | ever thank you"
He had no time for more words.
The express passengers would wait no
longer, and in three minutes time the
delayed train was whistling down the
line drawn by the engine which had
made the five mile run.
"Sue Franklin Went down to the
junction on a wild engine" From
mouth to mouth, and village to village,
went the news, and as news was scarce,
and the people all knew each other, it
was a seven days wonder. Some
thought it was daring and unwoman-
ly performance. Her mother said she
was proud of her, but would not live
over the agony she suffered, until she
heard of her safe arrival, for worlds.
Joe did not say very much, it was
not his way; but Sue heard approval
in every word he spoke, and saw it in
every glance.
About a week later, he came in one
night from his last trip, and laid
package in her lap.
"The railroad company has raised
my salary Sue" he said "because |
brought the express in on time |
knew | could not have done it but for
you and that splendid engine, so |
brought you what we should call
testimonial"
She opened the package, and found
a tiny watch, the one thing above all
others she had desired. She was over
joyed, and thanked Joe again and
again. Suddenly she stopped in her
wild dance about the room, and said
gravcly: "But the engine, Joe? She
behaved as well as l. | am going to
give her testimonial too.
No. runs regularly now been Red
fern and the junction, and on the front
at each side, are two silk flags, which
are a great addition to its beauty, and
which the engine itself seems to enjoy.
Sue put them there ''as testi
monial, she said, "to the faithful SER
vice performed by No. 5, when it made
five mile run in five minutes"