Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-11-12
uID Ills DUTY.

and found the keen aT Of the early spring
so trying In their rudely built cabin, few
miles out on the plains, from the village.
All the time he was about this labor OF
love, he was thinking of tt fortunate
opening likely to be his that day.
He had been searching for something to
DO III the village, for matters were getting
serious in their little home The mother
had been sick SO long. and their expen es
had been so heavy, that the little they had
saved against a time of need was now
completely gone, Next TO nothing re
NAMED for them to live upon, and, if pos
sible, he must find work of some kind to
keep actual want from the door.
So foc two or three days previous to this
morning be bad been looking for work
but without success. He was either to
young or not strong enough, or they had
no work for a boy, and he had become
well-nlgh discouraged The evening be-
fore, however. Just as he was about to give
Up trying further for that day, he had
stepped into The store of Field & Swim
burne, hardware dealers, and asked if
they needed boy. He was shown into
the Office, where he found Mr.. Swinbul ne
alone.
That gentleman, after making some in
quiries as to pennies age, and where he
lived, said:
Eyes, we do need boy; but Mr. Field
is now cut Of town. You may come to-
morrow, however at nine clock, and we
will see what can be done for you. Mind
now, aud be on time, as we shall hire the
first boy that comes along.
what wages would you be apt to
pay?' Bonnie venured to ask.
Ill
swered Mr.. Swinburn, carelessly. ut
depends altogether on how well you
work. "
SO Bonnie built the fire, and busted
himself in cooking the pojatoes-all that
pect before him, and sure that he would
do his best to earn the hi CHEST wages sug-
gested. On that amount he felt confident
care live comfortably until she was able to
work again.
The br akfast-if dish of potatoes can
be called breakfast-once ready, he went
to the door of his mother 's,room and called
her
Only think mother" he exclaimed, as
they sat down at the table, I'm TO have
work to-day; and If l IN worth it, I'm to
have three dollars week, and that'll be
enongh for Us 10 i've on.
Yes, indeed!' responded his mother
But | fear you are too young to und r.
take so much; above all, to take your long
waih after each days work"
'Oh, | can stand it easily enough,
m ther," 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 cofmort throughout the
day, and then put on his coat and start
ed
Here is your scarf, Benn1e," said his
mother, calling him back. 1T may be
chilly as you walk home tonight. and you
will need 1t
He aughiDgly took it, not realizing then
how it would be of special service to him
an hour later.
1t was hot yet eight o'clock, and Le had
ample time TO reach the village before the
appointed hour, The most direct way was
down the railroad track; and he hurridly
tripped over the ties, as happy as a boy
could well be.
Within mile of the village the track
made sharp turn to tine right, and en-
tered what was known as Henway's cut
where the road bed had been blasted
through solid rock for a number of rods
As Bonnie reached the curve, he, as a
precaution, glanced back along the track
to be sure the S:45 passenger train was
no where in sight, and then entered the
cutaway.
When about half way through, how
ever, be suddenly stopped, for in front Of
him lay large boulder, which had faler
from the cliff above, and completely
blocked the passage.
But it was possible TO Chamber over it
and Bonnie began to DO so. Then be a.
quickly got down again, the thought Rae
come to him that the train. No. q, com
Ing around the curve at full speed, woulC
not have time to come to full stop De
fore reaching the obstruction, and 4;
smash up more or less terrible in its re
suits, was inevitable, unless some one
gave the warning.
But if he waited to warn the train O
the danger, he would not reach the village
at the appointed hour and might lose til,
place. Indeed, Mr.. SWinbuIne said if h,
was not there on time they should hire
some other boy.
There was not time enough to go Oh t,
the village and have some one sent 30 Has
the train, at least it would be tremen
aous risk TO do So
The first house back up the track was ;
full mile away and to go there and leave
word 10 stop the train would also maxi
kim late at the store.
For a moment he hesitated More thar
this; be actually lett the cuteway anC
went a short distance up over the cliff TO
ward tire highway Thenlhe came back t,
TIE track and with quiver,ng Up sat down
He knew it was his duty whatever his per
sonai sacrifice to stay there and warn th
train.
Il can't leave here" he resoluiely said
''eveu If / do not get work and We hav
to beg"
The train was late that morning and fo
nearly an hour he sat there, Il
knew it must be already nine o'clock, an
he wondered if SOM other boy had bee
hired to fill the place he bad only a
hour before been so sure Of. In spite {
himself, the great tears would come TO hi
eyes.
The low rumb,ing Of the train at la
reused him trom the despair into which
was fast ,iIing. Springing to his feet
exclaimed:
Il wish had a red hag, an I'd sto
the train easy enough.
Tneu bis eye fell on his scarf. 1t vi
large, and of bright red color. Ii
next moment he bad cut q long stick ar
st etched his scarf TO It's widest cap&cli