Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-03-12

there was any reason for stopping the
cars. She did not know whether there
was yet time, but she seized the flag,
and flew wildly up the track.
30. my papal o, my mammal she
cried; they will fall into the river and
be drowned, What shall | do?" and
Polly waved the flag backward and for
ward as she ran.
Then came the train around the
curve. She could see the white steam
putting from the pipe, and could hear
the painting Of the engine.
II know they'll run over me, but II
mamma and papa are killed don't care
to i've" she said TO herself as she ap-
preached the great, black, noisy engine.
When 1t was about three hundred
feet away from her she saw a head
thrust out of the little window by the
locomotive, and then, with great
putting. snorting and whistling, 1t be-
gan TO move slower and slower, until at
last. when it was almost upon Polly, it
stopped entirely.
All the windows we're alive with
heads and hands. The passengers
screamed and waved her of the track
She stepped off and ran close up TO the
side of the engine, and gasped out;
.sThe bridge is open, and the man has
fallen into the river. Please stop the
train. or you'll be drowned"
The engineer stared in amazement,
as well he might, TO see small girl
with a flushed face, hair blown wildly
about and four lilies pinned in her belt,
waving the red flag as though she had
been used to tagging trains all her life.
At that moment another remarkable
frure presented itself to the astonished
eyes Of the passengers. A man, drip
ming wet, bruised and scratched, as
though he had been drawn through
briars, came tearing toward the cars,
stumbling and almost falling at every
step. As he reached little Polly, he
snatched her up and covered her face
with kisses. "You little darling" he
cried. s'do you know what you've done?
You've saved the lives of more than
hundred people"
Polly, nervous and excited, began tc
cry. One after another the passengers
came hurrying out of the train, and
crowded around her, praising and KISS
ing her, until she was quite ashamed
and hid her head on the kind hagrnan's
shoulder, whispering: please take me
away to find mamma and papa"
Almost the last to alight we're Polly''
parents. ''Why, it's our Pollyl' they
both exclaimed at once.
The draw was now closed again, and
the conductor cried: "All aboard" The
messengers scrambled back to theil
seats again. Polly's father took hel
into the car with him, and now sh'
looked calmly at the people as they
| gathered around. and answered politely
All questions put to her, but refused th'
rings. chains, bracelets and watches
that the grateful passengers pressed
her TO accept as tokens Of their graft
tude for saving their lives.
At last Polly grew tired of so mucl
nraise, and spoke out: "Really, don
deserve your thanks, for ! never onc'
tbought of any one but papa and mann
ma So keep your presents for you
own little girls. Thank you all th'
4
same"
Those that heard her laughed, seeing
they could do nothing better for he
than to let her remain unnoticed 10
the short distance she had to 60
When Polly was lifted out OF the car
and stood upon the steps of the statio
while her father looked after the lug
rare. the passengers threw kisses an
Srayed their handkerchiefs TO her unit
they were out Of sight
a few days afterward Polly was as
tonished at receiving beautiful ivor
box containing an exquisitely-enamele
medal. with these words engraved on i
.Presented to Polly Gardner. who's
courage and presence Of mind saved on
b,rsred lives. Julia X Hildreth, i
! Young Folks