The morning call., 1891-04-24
ON THE TRACK.

as it true that Simon was killed by the
train ?" asked the switch-tender's wife, as
she came to meet him, leading her little
daughter Aimee.
NO" he returned "he laid fiat down in
the middle of the track, and the cars went
over him, leaving him unframed"
THANK heaven for that" said the wife.
That night she left her little girl Aimee
in his charge at the switch while she went
on to the village to visit q sick friend For
awhile the child amused herself about the
swftch-house, but soon she began to play on
the track, laughingly calling to him TO come
ard catch her. He called to her, put she
would not return.
His alarm increased. At any instant the
whistles of the Onconing tram might De
heard and Laurence Tedoubed his apneals.
His voice was hOarse with fright, the fatal
moment approached, and still the child
laughed and repeated, You can't catch
me" Now the whistle sounded. The lugu-
brious call paraiyzed the poor man and he
lost his head completely. The train would
have two victims if he did not regain his
composure. Two victims! 1t would be
catastrophe with incalculable consequences,
for the train was stopping at the station
little Wav ahead. and if the express was not
switched off there must inevitably be
collision. Laurence STOCK OIL his tOrp0r.
Aimee. lie CIltu, Ill luuHUGlIl6 lOuCSs
Here, papa" And the child continued
10 give sharp little calls which mingled with
the roar of the approaching engine. the
Instinct of duty rather than will urged Laur-
renee toward the switch He seized the in
strument which ought to turn the train.
mo" he cried, u must save her. Aimee,
Aimeel where are your aud his eyes
sought to pierce the darkness. The switch
tender. with hair on end, thought of throw
ing himself before the iron monster. But one
chance remained, that Aimee was not on
the track over which the train must pass.
He looked again and this time he saw her.
She was there, standing on the very track
the train must take If he altered the switch.
If the iron monster did not take its true
course the child was saved. The train would
go on 10 crash against The one at the station.
What matter? Aimee would be- alive! All
this went through his mind like lightning.
There would be the killed and wounded
twenty families in despair, but Aimee would
be safe and sound. There would be an in
guest; he would be condemned to prison,
dishonored, ruined But his daughter.
his Aimee, would live and be happy. All.
how quickly one can think in such terrible
moments
The train came laundering on, but it
could not be seen on account OF sharp
curve in the road. There was still time to
save Aimee, but the child would not stir. 1t
seemed to her father that she waited for the
train with an air of defiance.
Aimee" he repeated in a voice strauged
by fear, Aimee, come here; you will kill
meP'
Suddenly the advance light Of the engine
appeared. The train was upon him; it was
here The man felt his whole being shake.
lie was eTildered-cnuld see nothing;
thought did not stop, however, but travelled
faster than the train. He recalled in a sec
and his honorable soldiers life, when he
had sacrificed everything to duty. He
saw in an instant the frigntIul accident he
would have caused, and heard the cries Of
the wounded-the last gasps Of the dying.
The problem was before him-his daughter
OF the others? There was no alternative
without a miracle. With astonishing prom
tituda the sentiment Of duty became most
powerful, and he seized mechanically the
handle Of the iron bar. The st0ical soldier
at this moment was uppermUst and az
fected the father. He pushed, hardly
knowing what he did, and the express train
crossed the switch.
On. oil il went. and he could see II pass
ing before the station, going by as if it were
happy to escape q danger, and disappearing
in the darkness. Duty had been strongest.
Stupefed, staggered, speeches., Laurence
was rooted 10 the spot. holding still the
cursed handle which had helped him to kill
his child.
Now" said he, at is my turn to die"
The other train was about TO pass, He
stepped forward, crossed his arms and
ing engine pulled. Bewildered, thinking of
nothing, there he stood.
But at that Instant burst of laughter
sounded behind him. He turned. wild with
hope.
"Oh, naughty papal he wont play with
Aimee" said the most beloved Of voices.
The child was elinging to him. Laurence
did not seek to know how the child came
there alive. He seized her and fed with
his treasure into his little cabin. Then he
put her on the ground before the lamp aud
looked at her. He could not bear so much
joy and fell fainting beside his daughter,
who, in her turn, screamed in terror.
At this moment Celne arrived. She heard
Aimee's voice, and fastened her steps. Then
becoming impatient, she called, "AimeeP'
The child ran TO meet her, crying, Mamma,
mamma, | am frightened!
What is the matter?"
Papa has fallen down."
Celine rushed down toward the sentry-boX
and found her husband completely in
sensible, stretched on the ground. She
sent for help, aud the doctor, who had not
left the village, came and restored the poor
man 10 consciousness The next day when
Laurence rose his wife looked at him in
terror. Instead of his former bright color
he exhibited a corpse-like pallor, which
never left him to the end Of his days. Lau-
renee was forced to tell his wife all. When
he had finished the poor father turned to
Aimee and said: "BuI, darling. why weren't
you killed."
Why" said the child, 81 did what Simon
did."-Pittsburg Press.