Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-09-15
THE SWITCHMAN'S CHILD

rushed charming little flaxen haired girl,
who threw herself with burst of laughter
into his arms.
May / take the little one, Celine:" said
the father.
At these words a prepossessing looking
woman made her appearance.
Aga n" she said, with a shade of annoy
ance
"Oh, We share her very fairly" said the
man, W tn the kindest and most paternal
smile. If you knew he resumed, "how
quickly the hours pass when she is down
here with me-"
Don't you think | know, when find
them so long in her absences'
1t was embarrassing. The child, Alice,
herself began to be troubled by this con-
versation, and feeling that she could not
please both these beings that she loved so
much, she was ready to cry Celine saw 1t
at once, and yielded.
Take her, Laurence: would rather have
her go than that you should fret about
it."
The father at these words showed some
feeling.
No" said he, in his turn, keep her
you deserve it; you love her best"
The discussion began again, but it was
this time struggle of generosity.
AT last the husband took his darling iu
his arms, and smile reappeared on the
child's lips.
Celine looked longingly after them and
re-entered the house.
One morning it happened that, without
saying anything to Celine, Laurence TOOK
the little gins hand to lead her away,
when her mother suddenly appeared.
What she said. You would take her
without telling me-"
Don't think that" said Laurence, in
some confusion. I'VE were in fun-we
We're goiu to hide behind the trees and
see you look for Us"
OH said Celine, doubtfully.
Listen, Laurence she continued.
Alice grows more restless and trouble
some every day. 1t is dangerous TO let her
go with YOU
What do you meant" said the man
turning pale.
Il mean that am afraid of your rail-
road, with its trains"
You are very foolish"
Leave her here. / can hardly breathe
while my little girl is down there. 1t is
frightful % think of it, but she might get
away and be killed"
Don't ak so, Celine"
''She ight run away while you are at
the switch, ard if you left to look after her
you would fail in your duty. and might be
the cause Of a dreadful disaster"
No, &c inc, beg of You, don't talk so.'
cried Laurence, who shuddered at the idea.
The young woman did not insist The
pointsman gradually recovered himself.
MY poor Alice!' he cried, embracing
the child frantically. at is too bad, Ce-
line; it is shame to frighten me So"
(Fa1T 49,, ,11l IL
ed, as usual, with these words from Lau-
renee, You will come for her at noon.'
Laurence liked to take his daughter
down to Il e line with him, although rather
nervous about it at times, but reasoned
with himself:
The child" he said, 'is familiar with
the passage Of trains, and she is old enough
TO comprehend the danger"
And his apprehension gradually van
ished.
One evening, however, when he went
home, he found he had been preceded by
the rumor OF an accident which had &C
CURED at neigh boring station man
had been crushed by an express train.
Celine questioned her husband while at
supper
is it true that Simon is killed." she
asked
NO" replied Laurence. He was in
great danger, but he escaped, thanks to
his wonderful coolness''
Then he is not deads' said Celne.
mo; and yet the whole train went over
him. When Simon saw IL was too late to
save himself, he laid fat down in the mid
die of the track, aud when the train passed
by he got mp again safe and sound / saw
him. asked him how it made him feel
A E-=+ h.. uosI H., IL
over him he was very warm: after that the
time seemed long. That was all You
know Simon is not easily frightened He
is ready to 20 TO work again" added Lau-
renee TRANQUILITY.
But Celne's anXieties were aroused
afresh.
Some time after thar the hours Of service
were changed, and Laurence took the night
duty. He could no longer think of taking
Alice with him.
One evening, however, a woman in the
village was taken very ILL.,
The doctor who came wrote prescrip-
ton, and said to the neighbors he found
there:
These medicines can only be had in the
next town, and you must not wait for
them. Let one of you go to the railway
station, where there is a portable pharmacy,
ana ask the station master on my account
for little laudanum. That will quiet the
pains till you can have the prescription
Which of you will go?''
'Celinel Celiner' said several voices.
1t was certain that the station master
would not hesitate to give her the medi-
cine.
The young woman thought of leaving
Alice, but as she had been particularly
restless all day Celine concluded to take
her They had to pass Laurence's place to
go to the station. He saw them coming,
and as soon as they were within hearing
began to question them.
"Old Gertrude is very i'll, and am going
to the station for medicine"
That's right. But let me have Alice
will keep her till you come back"
Celine lifted the little girl over the fence
to her father who took the precious bur-
dan, ir,h I