The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-09-18
A Startling Experience.
BY LILY TYNER.

INV rv.rD ~
Josie Mcclure was always plucky
Every one said so, and what every on
says is pretty apt to have some truth il
it. She was plucky from the hour O.
her birth, when, poor, puny, post
humous little creature, she was sent into
the world to assuage the sorrow of half
heart-broken widow-mother-a delicate
creature whose near friends were few ano
whose resources were slender.
T, Josie grew up the delight of hel
mothers heart. A quick-witted little
red-haired termagant, some were pleased
to term her, but these were, as a rule,
such of her schoolmates as had cause tc
fear her just wrath for misdoings of their
own. Big boys who tormented their
smaller brethren and girls who stopped
to petty meannesses were Josies special
detestation. But Josie's school life could
not last as long as that of most girls. It
came upon her all at once one day that
she had mission in the world, namely,
to assist in providing for herself and her
mother. I shall always believe that ]
first put the notion in her head of bccom-
ing telegraph operator. She used to
come up to the depot of that sleepy vii
lage nearly every day on her way home
from school and watch me at my work.
Twas station-master, train dispatcher and
general operator all in one.
ssI don't think could ever learn to
send amessage, "she said one day, as she
stood watching me.
4 sob, yes, you could, Y I answered.
stIn fsccs, : think you'd soon become an
expert
She looked up sharply with her bright,
red-hazel eyes,.
"What makes you think so2" t-..,
"Your quick nature and good sense" "
I said. .'1 don't believe you'd ever lose
your head"
"No; I am pretty cool. Remember
when Crittenden's horse ran away with
Grace aud me? I made Grace drop out
over the rear of the wagon. Neither of
US was scratched. I was just as cool that
moment as am now. Grace was scream
ing murder"
s'If you had a position like mine" I
laughed, "there wouldn't be much to
scare you. It's all l can do to keep
awake-some days."
"I'd rather 60 farther West" said
Josie.
Briefly it happened to suit her.
She took few lessons of me. I gave
her something of start. Then she went
to the city and took a regular course of
instruction. The next 1 knew she had
been assigned to a station five hundred
miles further toward the setting sun.
Her mother and herself removed at once
from our midst and Josie was lost to me,
save for sparkling little epistle used
to receive every week or ten days detail
ing her various experiences.
I'm sure I don't know how T should
have gotten on without her letters,
missed her so at first. It turned fright
fully dull and sleepy at my station, but I
managed to keep awake and attend to
things as they deserved. Several months
passed. Winter slipped away and spring
moved along slowly. Josie's letters came
regularly to gladden. my heart.
"Haven't much excitement out here"
she wrote. "No Indians and only an
occasional train robbery. No smash-ups,
no collisions, nothing lively. Not many
messages. Sometimes 1 think I'll call
you up and chat little; then the round
sbout way puts me out of the humor.
Take a vacation and visit us soon.
Mother will be so glad to see you. She's
crazy about her chickens; raising an enor-
-Saaus number. And such luck! They're
always falliNg into the soft-soap keg OF
something else health is just
splendid. As for me;>Ive gained fifteen
pounds" etc., etc. 49,
1t was this that put the notion in my
head. I obtained substitute and took
my vacation in early June.
The evening of the next day I alighted
from the way train at the town where
Josie and her mother ived-at the sta
ton where Josie herself was a fixture.
A trim little figure came running
toward me. 1t was she. She had on a
plain gingham dress and jaunty cap
was pushed back from the auburn hair
curling on her forehead. She gave me a
good hearty handshaking and ordered me
into the station.
"Gracious!" said L; ssnot much more
than a shed. Do you have it all to your
self2"
; ssPretty often. There's man around
sometimes, but he's lazy sort of crea-
ture and, to tell the truth, I haven't much
confidence in him. I've got my eye on
him pretty close. He went off this after
noon with a queer-looking 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 on, changing hel
subject with her old vivacity, ''it's just
about half an hour till supper time. III
qlke 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,
thought You see, I've got my supper
20 in tin pail. I've got to stay and
nRress 60 by all right
ker with the wish thai
uamain with her