Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-01-14
LANCE ELLIOTTS IDEA.

''To be just like this or something like
1t al my life, hardly able to read or
write my own name, always to be poor,
ignorant drudgeT" Lance Elliott dashed
the tears angrily from his eyes with a
feeling of shame, though there was no
one near to see his wet cheeks and quiv-
ering lip. Coward To be crying at
my age!"
With his elbows resting on the iron
brake wheel and his head between his
hands. Lance stood thinking sadly of his
unhappy lot He was only fourteen
years old, but for nearly two years he
had earned his living in various ways.
He had blacked boots, run errands and
held horses. More than once he had gone
supperless to bed, and very often the bed
had been a hayloft or cowshed Now,
however, he was regularly employed
selling papers on the express train which
left Woodstock at $50 every evening.
Though he was earning fair wages con-
sidering his age, he was growing more
and more dissatisfied every day. for he
saw no prospect of Improvement.
Mr.. Bascom, the conductor. to whom
Lance had confided his troubles, had
said, 'The thing. my boy, is to do yorr
duty in whatever position you are placed
and let the rest take care of itself"
But Lance was not content with this
at seems to me-" he had answered
''just the difference between walking on
level ground and climbing up pair of
stairs.
Tonight he had sold all his papers for
the trip and had gone out upon the rear
platform of the train where he could be
alone. The rapid motion of the express
seemed to soothe his troubled thoughts,
and he stood a long while watching the
lights along the tracks as they flashed
by and were lost in the darkness behind
As he gazed dreamily before him,
gradually dim perception of something
unusual or out of place among the fa-
miliar objects along the road grew upon
him. At first he could not make out
what it was, but in another moment he
understood. 1t was new light and one
that he had never seen before.
But what chiefly puzzled Lance was
the position of the light 1t seemed %
be directly in the center of the line OF
rails upon which the express was travel
ing. 1t could not be signal lantern.
for it was too high in the air; besides
there was no signal at that part of the
road.
As he continued to watch the strange
object with growing wonder, he sud
denly became aware that the light was
in motion. More than that, it was fol
lowing the express! AS the train swept
around curve the light vanished, only
to appear moment later, showing that
it. too, had come around the curve
Lance had already guessed what II
was, but he was afraid to believe his
own eyes If it should be thatl He felt q
cold chill creep over him.
While he was confusedly trying te
think what he ought to do the door oi
the car opened, and Mr.. Bascom, the
conductor, stepped out upon the plat
form. Without waiting for him to speah
Lance caught him by the sleeve. and
pointing to the light behind exclaimed
Look! Lookl Do you know what
that is?"
Mr.. Bascom shaded his eyes with hit
hand and gazed earnestly at the light
Then, without word. he turned and
hurried back through the train.
In another moment the engine OF the
express sounded shrill warning whistle
and Lance felt the train suddenly in
crease its speed Presently MIR. Bascom
accompanied by one Of the brakemen
was back on the platform beside Lance
again.
Both men examined the light, which
had meantime drawn much nearer. witt
evident alarm Then the conductor
swung the red lantern he carried sew
erai times.
THAT is No. 49," said Mr.. Bascom
"She was standing on the siding at Rich
field rs we passed.
what does she mean by following
usY asked the brakeman. And VIII,
doesn't she anawer our sianalsf'