The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-08-14
FAILED 70 CONNECT.
An Heroic Youngsters Bravery and How 10
was Rewarded.

An Heroic Youngsters Bravery and How 10
was Rewarded
Little Willie Gasteropod was the only
son OF the Widow Gasteropod. His
speciality was patches and an unassum-
ing nobility OF character. Although
not favorite in the village. which was
not inhabited by Fauntleroyers as .
rule, all recognized the fact that Billy
meant tedo right ==Has=-s=ssas'
Billy often worked far into the night.
saving wood, tuning pianos, wedding
onion-beds and otherwise making him.
self generally useful for the sake OF
turning an honest penny. One OF his
steady patrons was old Rocks, who used
to employ him in tidying up they coal
bunkers near the canals Late ons
night, Willie was returning home from
work, when, just as he crossed the track
Of the Stockholders Cooperative raj
way, something drew his attention TO
the switch. As his eye caught the rail,
shining white in the CLEAN Of his
lantern, Willie Gasteropod gave star.
Of surprise. A second look and he was
petrified with horror.
Goodness. gracious mel" exclaimed
the thoughtful lad, there is rail miss
ing from the switch, and the accommo-
dation limited fast express is due at
e:43t4, Central timer''
Willie Gasteropod was faithful read
err of the Weekly Pinafore, and he Wv
idly remembered how, only the previous
week, he had read of an orphan girl who
had stopped Pullman Wagner ira n
full of directors, railroad presidents and
porters, just as misplaced frog was
about to hurl it headlong down bluff.
'.And shall hesitate?" said Willie.
"Never! Even though l eat cold sup
per tonight will save the Accommoda-
tien Limited. 1T Is only 9:42--I have
yet minute and quarterr'
Taking the lantern in his teeth little
Gasteropod crept out upon the trestle-
work of the bridge What need to tell
how the sleet whistled around Willie s
well-deve1oped ears? Why pause to de-
scribe how the lantern was almost blown
out, seven times?
The headlight glared upon Willie Gas
teropod. Willie glared back upon the
headlight and swung his lantern to, and
also fro.
Will the engineer see him?
OF course he will. Slowly the great
train came to q standstill. The air
brakes, the musical air-brakes, sang a
few bars from "Lohengrin," and las al
ready remarked) the great train with It's
freight, of human lives came to stand
still. Heads were thrust from the win
dows contrary to the regulations Of the
company. Little Willie, breathing
hard, and with white brow, stood hing
ging his lantern.
!. The conductor came forward, the pres
ident general manager of the road, To-
cal magnate and several beautiful ladies
gathered around in group, admirably
adapted for illustration in black-and.
white.
.'Why did you stop the train2" asked
the conductor.
because there is rail missing from
the switchw answered the widows son,
in low, firm voice.
''Just beyond the trestle- bridge, which
l crossed upon my nanuS ana knees,
said Willie; "the-"
Then the big conductor impolitely in.
terrupted little Willie. And the big
conductor said a large number Of things
which the Widow Gasteropod had told
little Willie were very wrong to say,
Some OF the words were very strange ia
the widows son; but Willie thought he
caught the phrase:
Beyond the-damr'
mo, sir, "4he began. mot beyond the
dam. Beyond the bridge, ! said"
1--WE haven't used that switch foI
twenty years, you young IDIOT" said the
conductor. "And the next time you
stop train you'll get something worth
remembering. Now, I'll give you a
piece OF advice. Before you go singing
lanterns across other peoples tracks
you want to remember Davy Crockett's
advice: BE sure you're right"
But Willie was lost In the gathering
gloom, and the conductor yelled the rest
to the engineer:
"Then--go ahead"-Tudor jerks, in
Puck