Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-07-25

ahght he knew but he could not bear to
leave the express to its fate, and tried to
think of some way by which he could give
warning.
If he only had lantern to swing back
and forth across the track But of course
that was impossible, and he tried to think
Of some other signal. As in his perplexity
he thrust his hands deep down into his
pockets, at the bottom of one of them he
felt some matches which were left from
bonfire, and in minute he decided TO build
fire in the middle of the track, up by the
curve, where the engineer would see 1t and
stop the train in time. But he soon found
this was not easy TO do. There was great
difficulty in finding any materials, but
after cropping about for a while in the dark
ness he managed to get few little sticks
togpther, and lighting piece of paper
which he found IN his pocket he tried to
start his fire. But to his dismay the sticks
were so damp they would not burn, and
after using all his matches but two In vain
attempts he gave it up.
He put his ear down to the rails and list
ened intently. Yes, the train was coming,
but IL was some distance off yet oh, If he
could only find something dry enough to
the low rumble Of the approaching cars.
In another moment they will be in sight,
and on the impulse of the moment he
snatched off his jacket, and hastily strik-
ing a match applied it To the lining.
IL burned feebly second and went out,
and then more carefully he lighted the last
one and the coat began to blaze; and not q
moment too soon, either, for he could see
the headlight rs the express came thunder
ing along
Springing upon the track he waved his
blazing signal frantically back and forth
to attract the engineers attention. There
he stood, right in the path of the huge
monster as it rushed liercely toward him
with its great fiery eye glowing fiercely
through the darkness, and his little arms
kept on steadily swinging his jacket. in his
excitement never feeling the flames as they
crept over his little hands.
But he has been seen, and brakes were
applied, and the wheels reversed, and the
engine brought to a standstill just as II
was almost upon him, and then the little
fellow sank down, overcome by excite
ment, and there, "a moment later, they
found him curled up in heap on the
ground. Carefully the fireman lifted hin
in his strong arms, while the engineer anc
one or two others ran forward and dis
covered the obstruction. The passengers
aroused by the commotion, began to make
their appearance, and soon he was sur
rounded by a crowd, and found he had be
come a hero
The big fireman still held him in his
arms as Joe answered the questions which
were showered upon him, while physi
clan who was among the passengers bound
up the poor little burnt hands.
goe's hearers shuddered as they thought
Of their narrow escape, and when theI
found it was his jacket that furnished TIM
signal some man pulled off his hat ant
dropping bill in it said, "To pay for joe
coat, :" and passed it around to the Others
pocketbooks were taken out, and bills ant
silver rained into the hat until it almos
took Joe's breath as he realized that it wa
all for him.
Soon the train is ready to 90 on and the
all got aboard, and Joe is taken on to thu
next station. where they stopped TO let hin
off. The doctors house was close by, ant
as they saw Joe run up the stoop and rinl
the bell, the train moves off amid cheer
and the waving of hats.
Joe was happy boy when, an hour later
he rushed into the house, and stumbling
into his fathers room, threw small but
heavy package upon the bed
"Fatherl fatherl wake upl' he cried ex
citedly. "I've earned the money for Mr.
Morrison and now we can keep the house
Do wake upl'
It did not take long to get light, an'
when the money was counted there was a
Joe had said enough for the interest AM
more too.
Joe was proud boy when he saw hi
s father the next morning start out to Nh
Morrisons with the 800 in his pocket. 10
y often goes out into the yard to play witt
4 his pet, Topknot, and then he thinks how
glad he is that Widow Jenkins wanted hin
I to go for the doctor that night.-Lewsto
3 journal.