Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-10-04

Il crazy about her chickens; raising an enor-
nous number And such luck, They're
4 always falling into the soft-soap keg or
4 something else. Mothers health is Just
4 splendid. As for me, I've gained fifteen
tpounds, ETC., etc.
4 1t was this that put the notion in my
4 head. obtained substitute and took
I my vacation in early June.
i The evening of the next day I alighted
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 II
4 plain gingham dress and jaunty cap
I'was pushed back from the auburn hair
I curling on her forehead. She gave me
good hearty handshaking and ordered me
into the station.
i "Graciousl" said /; ''not much more
than shed. Do you have it all to your
H self"
i "Pretty often. There's a man around
sometimes, but he's lazy sort of crea-
ture and, to tell the truth, haven t much
confidence in him. I've got my eye on
him pretty close. He went off this after
noon with queer-looking character,
some stranger friend of his. Where they
went to is a mystery; might have been
fishing, though folks don't fish at mid
day. Now" she went on, 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 go and
you start at once. Walk fast and you'll
be in time. And won t mother 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.
mo, haven't enough supper for two
and mothers all alone. You can come
( back after me if you like, though l don't
mind the walk alone Haven't the slight
est idea how it feels to be afraid. Start
right along now; it's good mile
She gave me the directions and l set
out, rather reluctantly, it must be con-
/ fessed.
The station stood somewhat above the
village, the railroad wound past on an
embankment, crossing a river gulley on a
high bridge a short distance to the west.
| followed Josie's directions; went
down through the village and up the
road leading to her home. Mrs. Mcclure
gave me a delightful welcome and sup
per beyond description. We had pleas
ant talk of old times and new She spoke
of Josie's goodness and tilial affection un-
til tears came into her eyes and my own
as well.
Then | rose to return to the station.
| shall never know precisely what
thought it was came into my mind and
caused me to hasten my footsteps. Time
had flown. 1t was s o'clock and after,
and growing quite dark. The sky had
clouded over, as if storm were impend
ing, and the quiet of the village was un-
earthly.
hurried on; almost ran, and finally |
reached the station. But what was my
surprise to find Josie was not there. She
upon the table and a handkerchief lay on |
the floor beneath. glanced in the pail. |
Her supper was yet untouched. The
place was growing dark and no lamp
lighted. Suddenly, 'click, click, from
the table listened and knew that some
one was calling up this station. ''T.
W., ct. W." l knew that Josie was
ct. W." Whoever it was calling per-
sisted so that | grew uneasy. Where
could the girl have gomez AT length, as
she did not come, l answered the call
''Well, what is it?'' ''About the ex-
press, the answer came. 'lnere is no
mistaken" | hesitated. What should |
say? "Repeat instructions. IT. w is
out for the moment" knew only that
the express would come from the west,
and this was man talking at a station
fifty or sixty miles to the east. He an
swered after moment: "Matter of life
or death. Express will leave Ain
ten minutes. Should switch at p
(Josie's station) and wait for special from
east to pass. Other train blocked with
freight. For Gods sake, fix it right. No
direct wire from here to A"
A cold chill ran over me. Where was
Josie2 How could / call up the other
station2 | made an attempt but got no