The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-12-11
HIRnuTY.

strong, and found the Keen air OF the
early spring very trying in their rudely
built cabin few miles outOn the plains
from the village. All the time he was
about this labor of love he was thinking
of the fortunate opening likely to be his
that day
He had been searching for something
to do in the village, for matters were
getting serious in their little home. The
mother had been sick so long, and their
expenses had been so heavy, that the lit
tie they had saved against time of need
was now completely gone. Next to
nothing remained for them to live upon;
and, if possible, he must find work of
some kind to keep actual want from the
door.
So for two or three days previous to
this morning he had been looking for
work, but without success. He was
either too young or not strong enough,
or they had no work for boy, and he
had become well-nigh discouraged. The
evening before, however, just as he was
about to give up trying further for that
day, he had stepped into the store of
Field & Swinburne, hardware dealers,
and asked if they needed alloy. He was
shown into the Office, where he found
Mr.. Swinburne alone.
That gentleman after making some in
quiries as to Bennie's age and where he
lived, said:
Eyes, we do need boy; but Mr.. Field
is now out of town. You may come to-
morrow morning at nine o'lcock, and we
will see what can be done for you. Mind,
now, and be on time, as we shall hire the
first boy that comes along"
'What wages would you be apt to
pay?" Bonnie ventured to ask.
"Oh! two or three dollars a week"
answered Mr.. Swinburne carelessly, 1T
depends altogether on how well you
work"
So Bonnie built the fire and busted
himself in cooking the potatoes-all that
they had for breakfast-happy at the
prospect before him, and sure that he
would do his best to earn the highest
wages suggested. On that amount he
felt confident his mother and himself
could, with proper care, live comfortably
until she, was able to work again.
The breakfast-if dish of potatoes
can be called breakfast-once ready, he
went to the door of his mothers room
and called her.
''Only think, mother" he exclaimed,
as they sat down at the table, Pm to
have work to-day, and if I'm worth it
I'm to nave three dollars a week, and
that'll be enough for us to live on"
eyes, indeedy' responded his mother
but fear you are too young to under
take SO much; above all, to take your
long walk after each days work"
'Oh, can stand it easily enough,
mother" he asserted confidently.
When the poor little meal was finished
he brought in several huge armfuls of
wood, and arranged as far as possible for
his mothers comfort throughout the
day, and then put on his coat and
started.
Here is your scarf, Bennie," said his
mother, calling him back. at will be
chilly as you walk home tonight and you
will need it,
He laughingly took it, not realizing
then how it would be of special service
to him a little later.
1t was not yet o'clock, and he had
ample time to reach the village before
the appointed hour. The most direct
way was down the railroad track, and he
hurriedly tripped over the ties, as happy
as boy could well be.
Within a mile of the village the track
made a sharp turn to the right and en-
tered what was known as Henway's cut,
where the roadbed had been blasted
through solid rock for number of rods.
AS Bonnie reached the curve he, as a pre-
caution, glanced along the track to be
sure the S:45 passenger train was no.
where in sight, and then entered the cut
away.
When about half way through, how
ever, he suddenly stopped, for in front
of him lay large bowlder which had
fallen from the cliff above and complete
ly blocked the passage.
But it was possible to Chamber over it,
and Bonnie began to do SO. Then he as
quickly got down again. The thought
had come to him that the train, No. 81,
coming around the curve at full speed,
would not have time to come to a full
stop before reaching the obstruction, and
smashup, more or less terrible in its
results, was inevitable unless some one
gave the warning.
But if he waited to warn the train of
its danger he could not reach the village
at the appointed hour, and might lose
the place. Indeed, Mr.. Swinburne had
distinctly said if he was not there on
time they, should hire some other boy.
There was not time enough to go on to
the village and have some one sent to
flag the train. At least it would be a
tremendous risk to do so.
The first house back, up the track was
full mile away, and to go there and
leave word to stop the train would also
make him late at the store.
For a moment he hesitated. More
than this, he actually left the cutaway
o,,d ,want a shout d;otanoa ~, ovar fLa